Tag: sdkfz 251

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German

m. gp. Mannsch. Kw. (Sd. Kfz. 251): Medium Armored Personnel Carrier

m. gp. Mannsch. Kw. (Sd. Kfz. 251): Medium Armored Personnel Carrier

This vehicle is a medium armored personnel carrier with the chassis of the Sd. Kfz. 11 (light semitracked prime mover). The Sd. Kfz. 11 has been modified by placing armor on the chassis, altering the cooling arrangement, and mounting the steering wheel in an inverted position. The armor plate thickness measures 7.5 mm on the radiator cover, 8.5 mm on the sides, and 15 mm on the lower front plate, set at angles to the horizontal of 81°, 55-60°, and 55° respectively. It has been reported that these vehicles were used by the motorized infantry of armored divisions. Eight variations are known to exist with designations 251/1 through 251/8. The vehicles are used for infantry, ammunition and as command vehicles with built-in wireless, or ambulances.

The suspension is the same as that utilized for the Sd. Kfz. 11, as is also the power plant and the power train.

The armament normally consists of two 7.92 mm M.G. 34’s, one on a mount welded to the front of the chassis and one on an antiaircraft pedestal mount in the rear of the vehicle. Reports have been received that the 2 cm Kw.K. 30 is also mounted. The vehicle has a seating capacity for eleven men, including the driver.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         7.7 tons
Length 19 ft.
Width 7 ft.
Height 7 ft.
Ground clearance 12 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 3 ins.
Ground contact 5 ft., 11 ins.
Width of track 11 ins.
Track links 55
Pitch of track 5.5 ins.
Fording depth 20 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 185 miles
     Cross-country 80 miles
Speed
     Roads
     Cross-country
Armor
     Front plate 15 mm
     Sides 8.5 mm
Armament 2 7.92 M.G. 34’s
Ammunition (rds.)
Trailer load 3.3 tons
Engine Maybach, NL 42 TUKRR, 100 hp.
Transmission 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse, high and low range
Steering Front wheel and track epicyclic
Crew 11

German: p. 45

Categories
German

M.G. 151/15 und M.G. 151/20 Drilling auf m. S.P.W. (Sd Kfz. 251/21): Triple Machine Gun on Semitracked Vehicle

M.G. 151/15 und M.G. 151/20 Drilling auf m. S.P.W. (Sd Kfz. 251/21): Triple Machine Gun on Semitracked Vehicle

This is the 3-ton, armored semitrack mounting triple 15 mm or 20 mm heavy machine guns of the Model 151 aircraft type. The equipment is an assault weapon intended for ground combat, and engagement of low flying aircraft is a secondary role.

The three guns, which are cocked manually and percussion fired, are set coaxially and in the same plane. Each gun is held in a standard MG 151 aircraft cradle, less the body extension. The cradles are bolted to a common block on the top bracket of the pedestal, pivoting on trunnions for elevation and depression. The top bracket is bolted to a bottom conical skirt and the whole rotates freely on a cone pedestal fixed to the floor of the vehicle. Elevation (-5° to 49°) and traverse (360°) are shoulder controlled by the firer. A brake locking device is provided for traverse.

The guns, capable of firing 700 r.p.m. each, are belt fed, the belts being contained in steel boxes, one for each gun. A total of 3,000 rounds of ammunition in belts is carried in the vehicle. Penetration of A.P. projectiles fired from the 15 mm MG 151 is reported as 18 mm from 100 meters at 30 degrees.

Sighting apparatus consists of a telescopic sight with a magnification of 3 and a field of view of 8 degrees; a cartwheel type antiaircraft sight, and a hand periscope with a magnification of 8 and a field of view of 7.5 degrees.

A further description of the components of this equipment is available on pages 45 and 252.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight      8 tons
Trailer load capacity3.3 tons
Length19 ft.
Width7 ft.
Height
Ground clearance12 ins.
Tread centers5 ft., 3 ins.
Ground contact5 ft., 11 ins.
Track width11 ins.
Track links55
Radius of action186 miles
Fuel tank42.5 gals.
Fuel consumption (roads)5 miles per gal.
Fording depth20 ins.
Speed30 m.p.h.
EngineMaybach, NL 42 TUKRR
Bore and stroke90 x 110 mm
Horsepower100
IgnitionBosch magneto
Battery12 volt
Transmission4 speeds forward, 1 reverse. High and low range.
SteeringFront wheel and track epicyclic
Crew4

German: p. 46.2 (April 1, 1945)

Categories
German

m. Flammpanzerwagen (Sd. Kfz. 251/16): Armored Flamethrower Vehicle

m. Flammpanzerwagen (Sd. Kfz. 251/16): Armored Flamethrower Vehicle

This flame-throwing vehicle is employed in association with more heavily armored panzer units. It is an adaptation of the medium armored personnel carrier on which have been mounted the various items of equipment required.

There are two large projectors mounted well back on either side of the vehicle in V-shaped shields. Each of these has a nozzle .55 inch in diameter, and a traverse of 160 degrees. The third flamethrower takes the form of the cartridge ignition projector used in the small portable flamethrower Model 42, on the end of 33 feet of hose, connecting it to the propulsion unit and fuel tank through the back of the vehicle. The nozzle of this projector is .28 inch in diameter.

Fuel propulsion is by a pump driven by a small gasoline engine supplied by a 5 1/2-gallon tank which will run the engine for two hours. One hundred and fifty-four gallons of fuel for the flamethrowers is carried. This allows about eighty bursts of one or two seconds’ duration each.

The effective range of the large flamethrowers is about 40 yards; that of the portable unit about 30 yards.

1,850 gallons of fuel are carried in the three 3-ton lorries of platoon transport. This is sufficient for two refuels for all six flamethrower vehicles of the flamethrower platoon.

The crew of the vehicle consists of one vehicle loader who also acts as wireless operator and machine gunner, two flamethrower operators, and a driver.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight (approx.)     8 tons
Trailer load capacity3.3 tons
Length19 ft.
Width7 ft.
Height7 ft.
Ground clearance12 ins.
Tread centers5 ft., 3 ins.
Ground contact5 ft., 11 ins.
Track width11 ins.
Track links55
Fuel tank42.5 gals.
Fuel consumption5 miles per gal.
Fording depth20 ins.
Speed30 m.p.h.
EngineMaybach, NL 42 TUKRR, 100 hp.
Bore and stroke90 x 110 mm
IgnitionMagneto
Battery12 volt
Transmission4 speeds forward, 1 reverse. High and low range.
SteeringFront wheel and track epicyclic
Crew4
Armor
   Radiator cover7.5 mm at 81 degrees
   Sides8.5 mm at 55-60 degrees
   Front plate15 mm at 55 degrees
Armament2 large flamethrowers
1 portable flamethrower
2 7.92 mm M.G. 34’s

German: p. 46.1 (April 1, 1945)