Panzerspähwagen (6-Rad) SdKfz 231:

Germany's SdKfz 231 6 Rad

Germany's SdKfz 231 6 Rad

The Army Weapons Department in 1929 issued specifications for 6 wheeled motor trucks with rear 4 wheel drive. Magirus produced M 206, Büssig the G 31, and Daimler-Benz the G 3. 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. Daimler-Benz installed the 68 hp M 09 engine, and Büssig used a 65 hp engine, while Magirus used a 70 hp engine.

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

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

These were basically 6 wheeled trucks with 3 rigid axles on longitunal leaf springs.

These formed the major portion of the reconnaissance units from 1933. Were only going to be issued until the new 8 wheeled armored cars were delivered to units.

Basically these were modified 6x4 truck chassis with an armored body fitted. The chassis was strengthened and another steering control was added in the rear.

Had a FuG Spr Ger 'a' radio installed.

Issued to Aufklärungs detachments. Used in Poland and France but then withdrawn for training and internal security.

Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (SdKfz 232) 6 rad:

Germany's SdKfz 232 (6 Rad) Armored Car
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Radio version fitted with 100 watt long range radio and frame aerial. Hand traversing turret could still move beneath frame.

The 20 mm gun fired a 5.2 oz AP shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,625'/sec.5

Issued to Aufklärungs detachments.

Panzerfunkwagen (SdKfz 263) 6 rad:

Turret was fixed and had singe MG13. Had extra radio equipment and extra radio operator.

Issued to Nachrichten (signals) units.

  SdKfz 231 SdKfz 232 Fu SdKfz 263 Fu
Crew 41,2,3 45 51
Physical Characteristics      
Weight 12,320 lb
5 tons, 5.61 tons1, 5.35-6 tons2, 5.7 tons3, 5.35 tons4
5,700 kg1
13,788 lb5  
Length w/gun 18' 8.5", 18' 3.3"1, 18' 6.75"3
5.61 m, 5.57 m1,2,3,4
18' 4"5  
Length w/o gun      
Height 7' 6", 7' 4.5"3, 7' 4.6"1
2.24 m, 2.25 m1,2,3,4
9' 6" to top of antenna5  
Width 6' 2.5", 5' 11.5"3 5' 11.6"1
1.82 m1,2,3,4, 1.85 m
6' 1"5  
Width over tracks      
Ground clearance 25 cm 9.5"5  
Ground contact length      
Ground pressure      
Turret ring diameter      
Armament      
Main 20 mm KwK30 L/552
20 mm1
20 mm KwK304
20 mm KwK5 7.92 mm MG134
Secondary      
MG 7.92 mm MG13, coaxial4
7.92 mm MG1
7.92 mm MG132
7.9 mm MG34, coaxial5  
Side arms      
Quantity      
Main 2002 2005  
Secondary      
MG 1,5002 3,0005  
Side arms      
Armor Thickness (mm) 14.51
Front: 84
Side: 84
   
Hull Front, Upper 8@25°2
14.5
0.6"@0°5  
Hull Front, Lower 8@25°-35°2
14.5
   
Hull Sides, Upper 8@37°2 0.28"@0°5  
Hull Sides, Lower 8@35°2    
Hull Rear 8@30°2 & 80@25°-42°2    
Hull Top 5@80°-90°2    
Hull Bottom None2    
Turret Front 8@0°2
Mantlet: 8@0°2
14.5
0.6"@0°5  
Turret Sides 8@30°2 0.28"@0°5  
Turret Rear 8@30°2    
Turret Top 5@75-90°2    
Engine (Make / Model) Daimler-Benz MO91,2
Büssing-NAG G2
Magirus s882
Daimler-Benz, Büssing-NAG, or Magirus3
Bussing N.A.G.5  
Bore / stroke      
Cooling Water3 Water5  
Cylinders   65  
Net HP 60 - 803
654
1005  
Power to weight ratio      
Compression ratio      
Transmission (Type) 4 forward, 1 reverse.2
Sliding pinion, 6 forward, 6 reverse
Constant mesh5
6 forward, 6 reverse5
 
Steering   Front wheels only, worm and nut5  
Steering ratio      
Starter      
Electrical system      
Ignition      
Fuel (Type) Gasoline3 Gasoline5  
Octane      
Quantity   26.4 gallons5  
Road consumption   5.6 mpg5  
Cross country consumption      
Performance      
Traverse 360°, hand.2 360°5
Hand5
 
Max speed 40 mph3, 44 mph, 40.4 mph1
70 kph2,4, 60 kph, 65 kph1,3
45 mph5  
Cross country speed      
Road radius 150 miles3, 156 miles, 124 miles1
300 km2, 250 km3, 200 km1
156 mph5  
Cross country radius 125 miles3
150 km, 200 km3
   
Turning radius 13.5 m 56' 6"5  
Elevation Limits -12° to +20°2,4    
Fording depth 2'3
0.6 m3
1' 11"5  
Trench crossing      
Vertical obstacle      
Climbing ability   13° slope5  
Suspension (Type)   Semi-elliptical springs5  
Wheels each side 3    
Return rollers each side      
Tracks (Type)      
Length      
Width      
Diameter      
Number of links      
Pitch      
Tire tread      
Track centers/tread 2.7 m    
Wheel arrangement   6 x 65  
Tire size   8.27 x 185  
Wheel centers   Front: 67"5
Rear: 72"5
 
Wheel base   98" + 35"5  
Production 1933-19361 : 607, 9281    
  Manufacturer Date # Chassis nos.
SdKfz 231/232 (6 rad) Daimler-Benz, Büssing-NAG, Magirus.2 1932-19372 1232 30001-, 40001-, 50001-2
SdKfz 263 (6 rad) 1932-19372 282
SdKfz 232 (6 rad) Bussing NAG, Deutche-Werke, Keil5 19335    

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  3. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  4. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  5. Tank Data 2, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV, 1969
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