Germany's schwerer Panzerspähwagen (6-Rad) SdKfz 231, SdKfz 232 Fu (6-Rad), SdKfz 263 (6-Rad) armored cars

Photos

Design

The SdKfz 231 was based on experimental armored cars that were constructed on six wheeled truck chassis during the early 1930s.^3,5,6 Initially the automobile industry developed an 8x8 model but it was deemed too expensive for production.^3,6

Engines

There were three different engines that were used, the Büssing (65 HP, 4 cylinder), Daimler-Benz M 09 (68 HP, 6 cylinder), and Magirus (70 HP, 6 cylinder).^3,5

The engine drove the four rear wheels.⁵ Steering was by the front wheels only.⁵

Chassis

The SdKfz 231 could be steered from either the front or the rear as there was a duplicate set of steering controls.^3,6 The chassis was from a 6x4 Daimler-Benz truck.⁷

The SdKfz 231 was basically an armored shell put onto a truck chassis that just wasn't strong enough for it.^3,7 It was found not to perform very well, but at the time it was going to the German Army units it was well needed as a training tool.^3,7

Body

The superstructures were built by Deutsche Werke of Keil and Deutsche Edelstahl.

Prototype

The Army Weapons Department in 1929 issued specifications for 6 wheeled motor trucks with rear 4 wheel drive. Magirus produced M 206, Büssing the G 31, and Daimler-Benz the G 3.⁶ Based on preliminary tests on the G 3 it was determined that the chassis might be able to be used with an armored frame on it.⁶

In the 1930s Germany and the Soviet Union had an agreement that allowed the Germans to develop armored theory and vehicles at the Kazan test center in the Soviet Union, and the SdKfz 231 was one such vehicle.⁷

Production

In 1932, the Army Weapons Department ordered 37 Daimler-Benz chassis of the G 3a version. Büssing also received a contract for 12 chassis for armored cars.

• SdKfz 231: 1,000^3,7
  • Production: 1932 - 1935^3,7
• SdKfz 231 and SdKfz 232: 123²
  • Production: 1932 - 1937²
• Panzerspähwagen (6-Rad) SdKfz 231:
  • Production:
  • Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz², Büssing-NAG², Magirus²
• Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (SdKfz 232) 6 rad:
  • Production: 1933⁴
  • Manufacturer: Bussing NAG^2,4, Deutche-Werke⁴, Keil⁴ , Daimler-Benz², Magirus²
• Panzerfunkwagen (SdKfz 263) 6 rad: 28²
  • Production: 1932 - 1937²
  • Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz², Büssing-NAG², Magirus²

Variants

• Daimler-Benz Type G3(p): Prototype.⁶ Had a weight of 4.9 tons.⁶ There was large gap between front wheels and rear set.⁶ In the turret was a 7.92 mm machine gun.⁶ A Daimler 6 cylinder 70 HP engine power the armored car.⁶ Tracks could be fitted around the rear pairs of wheels to increase traction going cross country.⁶
• Daimler-Benz Type G3a(p): Prototype.⁶
• Büssing-NAG Type G31(p): Prototype.⁶ Powered by a 4 cylinder engine.⁶
• Magirus Type M206(p): Prototype.⁶ Powered by a 6 cylinder engine.⁶
• schwere Panzerspähwagen (6-Rad) SdKfz 231: Six wheeled armored car with 2 cm gun and a machine gun.⁶
• schwere Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (SdKfz 232) 6 rad: Radio version.^3,5,6 It was fitted with 100 watt long range radio and frame aerial.³ Hand traversing turret could still move beneath frame.^5,6 The 20 mm gun fired a 5.2 oz AP shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,625'/sec.⁴ The aerial consisted of parallel tubes on the rear.⁶
• Panzerfunkwagen (SdKfz 263) 6 rad: Radio equipped command vehicle.^3,5,6 Had a frame aerial.^3,6 Turret was fixed and had singe MG13.³ Had extra radio equipment and extra radio operator.⁶ The had different supports in the front than the SdKfz 232.⁵

Usage

Issued to Aufklärungs detachments.

These formed the major portion of the reconnaissance units from 1932.³ Were only going to be issued until the new 8 wheeled armored cars were delivered to units.

The SdKfz 231s were used during the occupation of Czechoslovakia.⁷

Used in Poland and France but then withdrawn for training and internal security.³

SdKfz 232 Fu

Issued to Aufklärungs detachments.

SdKfz 263 Fu

Issued to Nachrichten (signals) units.

Specifications