Tag: sdkfz 231

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German

s. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 231) (8 Rad): Heavy Armored Scout Car (8 Wheels)

s. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 231) (8 Rad): Heavy Armored Scout Car (8 Wheels)German nomenclature: schwerer Pan­zer­späh­wagen (Sd. Kfz. 231) (8 Rad).

English designation: Heavy armored scout car (8 wheels).

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         7,600 kg         16,720 lb.
Pay load 700 kg 1,578 lb.
Gross weight 8,300 kg 18,298 lb.
Weight: Front axle 2,050 kg 4,519 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,100 kg 4,630 lb.
Length (overall) 5,850 mm 19 ft., 2 ins.
Width (overall) 2,200 mm 7 ft., 2 ins.
Height (overall) 2,350 mm 7 ft., 8 ins.
Ground clearance 270 mm 101 ins.
Tread centers 1,600 mm 5 ft., 3 ins.
Wheelbase 1,350/1,400/1,350 mm 53/55/53 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 7 1/2 ins.
Angle of approach   60°
Angle of departure   60°
Seating capacity
Fording depth 1,000 mm 39 ins.
Climbing ability   30°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   35°
Turning radius 10.5 meters (all wheels) 34 ft., 5 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 160 c-v 157.8 hp
Piston displacement 7,600 cu cm 456 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 180 liters 47.5 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   3.9 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   2.2 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.63

Categories
German

s. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 231): Heavy Armored Scout Car

s. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 231): Heavy Armored Scout Car 6-radGerman nomenclature: schwerer Panzer­späh­wagen (Sd. Kfz. 231) mit Fahr­gestell des leichter gelände­gangiger Last­kraft­wagen (o).

English designation: Heavy armored scout car with special chassis of the light cross-country truck (standard commercial vehicle).

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         5,300 kg         11,684 lb.
Pay load 700 kg 1,543 lb.
Gross weight 6,000 kg 13,227 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,850 kg 4,078 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,075 kg 4,574 lb.
Length (overall) 5,600 mm 18 ft., 4 ins.
Width (overall) 1,850 mm 6 ft., 1 in.
Height (overall) 2,250 mm 7 ft., 4 ins.
Ground clearance 200 mm 8 ins.
Tread centers 1,840 mm 6 ft.
Wheelbase 2,500/900 mm 98/35 ins.
Wheel width    
Angle of approach   55°
Angle of departure   40°
Seating capacity 600 mm 23 ins.
Fording depth
Climbing ability   13°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   55°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   35°
Turning radius 16 meters 52 ft., 6 ins.
Trailer load    
Engine horsepower 70 c-v 69 hp
Piston displacement 4,600 cu cm 276 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 100 liters 26.4 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   5.9 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   3.6 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.63

Categories
German

s. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 231, 232, 263): 6-Wheeled Armored Cars

s. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 231, 232, 263): 6-Wheeled Armored Cars

This six-wheeled armored car is a heavy, highly mobile vehicle with a four-man crew. It is armed with one 20 mm KwK 30 and one M. G. 34 coaxially mounted in the turret.

Like the 8 Rad Panzerspähwagen, the six-wheeled vehicle can be operated from either the front or rear, duplicate controls being fitted at either end. Steering is by front wheels only. It has a six-wheeled final drive; single wheels at the front, and dual double wheels at the rear. The front springs are fitted to the frame with shock absorbers. The rear springs are suspended by tubular traverse, semi-elliptical springs. It has six forward and six reverse speeds.

Special gripper chains are available for fitting over the rear wheels, thus giving each pair the function of a track. Slightly smaller wheels may be fitted outside the front wheels giving extra traction on soft ground.

The engine, manufactured by Bussing Nag, is a water-cooled, 100 horsepower, gasoline type. The superstructure is built by Deutsche Werke, Kiel.

This vehicle carries the same nomenclature as its 8-wheeled counterpart. Model 231 is the heavily armored variation carrying both the cannon and the machine gun. No. 232 is a wireless command vehicle and No. 263 an armored wireless vehicle without the 20 mm gun.

These cars are used for reconnaissance, police patrol work, as command vehicles, and as radio receiving and sending stations.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         6 tons
Length 18 ft., 5 ins.
Width 6 ft., 1 in.
Height 7 ft., 4 ins.
Ground clearance 9 ins.
Suspension Dual double wheels at rear, single wheels at front
Wheel base Between axles 1 and 2—8 ft., 3 ins.
  Between axles 2 and 3—2 ft., 11 ins.
Size tires 8.27 x 18
Fording depth 2 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 156 miles
     Cross-country 93 miles
Speed
     Roads 45 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 20 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 15 mm
     Sides 7.5 mm
Armament 2 cm Kw.K. 30
  7.92 mm M.G. 34
Ammunition
Engine Bussing Nag, 100 hp.
Transmission Constant mesh, helical gear—6 speeds forward, 6 reverse
Steering Worm and nut
Crew 4

German: p. 42

Categories
German

s. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 231, 232, 263): 8-Wheeled Armored Cars

Panzerspahwagen

The “8 Rad Panzerspahwagen” is the standard heavy armored car now in use by the Germans. It is a highly mobile, cross-country vehicle used by reconnaissance units. The car is armed with one 20 mm automatic cannon and one 7.92 mm machine gun, coaxially mounted in the turret. A 9 mm M.P. 38 or 40 is also carried. It is also equipped with periscope attachments for the camera used on scouting missions.

This vehicle is unusual in that all eight wheels are powered, and a steering control system at each end enables the crew to operate it from either end quite efficiently. The rear end control can be engaged or disengaged, whereas the front end control is permanently engaged.

The wheel suspension is very flexible. It consists of four longitudinal semi-elliptic springs, two on each side of the frame. Each spring is secured to the vehicle frame at its center on a fiber bearing to permit easy maneuvering over rough terrain.

The engine is a water-cooled, V-8, gasoline type of approximately 155 horsepower. The transmission has six speeds that can be used in either direction.

There are several variations of this car: one with radio and antenna and another without; one with a rotating turret; one with a fixed turret; and a turretless type mounting the 75 mm short tank gun, Kw.K.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         8 1/2 tons
Length 19 ft., 2 ins.
Width 7 ft., 3 ins.
Height 7 ft., 10 ins.
Ground clearance (belly) 13.7 ins.
Suspension 8 single wheels; knee action; semi-elliptic springs
Wheel base (overall) 13 ft., 5 1/2 ins.
Size tires 8.27 x 18
Fording depth 2 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
    Roads 165 miles
    Cross-country 110 miles
Speed
    Roads 50 m.p.h.
    Cross-country 20 m.p.h.
Armor
    Front plate 15 mm
    Sides 8 mm
Armament 2 cm Kw.K. 30
  7.92 mm M.G. 34
  9 mm M.P. 38 or 40
Ammunition 2.0 cm gun — 180 rds.
  7.92 mm M.G. — 2,100 rds.
  9 mm M.P. — 192 rds.
Engine Bussing-NAG, V-8, 155 B.H.P.
Transmission Constant mesh, helical ear—6 speeds forward, 6 reverse
Steering Worm and nut
Crew 4

German: p. 43