Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 231) 8 rad:
There was a need for improved cross-country performance and development was ordered in 1934. Designated Versuchskraftfahrzeug (experimental vehicle) 623 and 624. In mid-1937 was designated SdKfz 233 & 234 and then in October 1939 was called SdKfz 231 & 232 (8 rad). Production stopped in May 1942.
Deutsche Werke of Kiel developed the vehicle, while assembly was done by Schichau.
Steering wheels and controls are provided for each direction. The seats for the commander and gunner were attached to a hand traversed turret. Early in 1940 an 8mm plate was to the front of many of the models.
Used a FuG Spr Ger 'a' radio.1
Issued to heavy Panzerspähwagen squadrons of each motorized Aufklärungs detachments.
Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 233):
Produced by Deutsche Werke in Kiel.
Used a FuG Spr Ger 'a' radio.1
Gave reconnaissance squadrons ability to engage enemy armor. 6 were issued to the Panzerspähwagen squadrons of the Aufklärungs battalions detachments. Used on all fronts during the war.
Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (SdKfz 232) 8 rad:
Had a large bedstead frame aerial above the turret and body with pivots on the turret so that the turret could still rotate. During 1942 models had aerial replaced with a simple pole aerial. Production ceased in September 1942.
Used a FuG12 and FuG Spr Ger 'a' radios.1
Panzerfunkwagen (SdKfz 263) 8 rad:
It was based on the SdKfz 231/232 with the turret removed and the side extended higher to make a larger crew compartment. A large frame antenna and a telescoping mast were provided for long-range communications.
Used a Sätz Funkgerät für Pz Funktrupp b radio.1
Issued to Nachrichten detachments of motorized and Panzer divisions. Sometimes were issued to Korps and Army headquarters.
| SdKfz 231 (8 rad) | SdKfz 232 Fu (8 rad) | SdKfz 263 Fu (8 rad) | SdKfz 233 (8 rad) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, drivers(2) 41,2 |
51 | 31 | |
| Physical Characteristics | ||||
| Weight | 16,700 lb 8.2 tons, 8.3 tons1,2,3 |
8.1 tons1, 8.2 tons | 19,219 lb 8.7 tons1 |
|
| Length w/gun | 19' 2"2 5.85 m1,2,3, 5.8 m |
5.85 m1 | 19' 6" 5.85 m1 |
|
| Length w/o gun | ||||
| Height | 7' 8"2 2.35 m1,3, 2.34 m2 |
2.9 m | 2.9 m1 | 7' 6" 2.25 m1 |
| Width | 7' 2.5"2 2.2 m1,2,3, 2.21 m |
2.2 m1 | 7' 3.5" 2.2 m1 |
|
| Ground clearance | 1' 28 cm |
|||
| Ground contact length | ||||
| Ground pressure | ||||
| Turret ring diameter | ||||
| Armament | ||||
| Main | 20 mm KwK301 20 mm KwK381 20 mm KwK3 |
7.92 mm MG341 | 75 mm StuK37 L/241,3 | |
| Secondary | ||||
| MG | 7.92 mm MG34, coaxial 7.92 mm MG341 |
7.92 mm MG34, coaxial | 7.92 mm MG421 | |
| Side arms | 1 sub machine gun | |||
| Quantity | ||||
| Main | 1801,3 | 1,0501 | 321 | |
| Secondary | ||||
| MG | 2,1001 | 1,0501 | 1,5001 | |
| Side arms | ||||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 153 Side: 83 |
|||
| Hull Front, Upper | 15@28°1 | 18@17°1 | 15@30°1 Shield: 15@30°1 |
|
| Hull Front, Lower | 8+10@35°1 | 8@30°-35°1 | 30@35°1 | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 8@35°1 | 8@35°1 | 8@35°1 | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 8@35°1 | 8@35°1 | 8@35°1 | |
| Hull Rear | 8@35°1 & 10@35°1 | 10@31°1 & 10@35°1 | 8@35°1 & 10@25°1 | |
| Hull Top | 6@84°-90°1 | 6@90°1 | 6@84°1 & open1 | |
| Hull Bottom | 5@90°1 & None1 | 5@90°1 & None1 | 5@90°1 & None1 | |
| Turret Front | 15@20°1 Mantlet: 15@20°1 |
|||
| Turret Sides | 8@30°1 | |||
| Turret Rear | 8@30°1 | |||
| Turret Top | 6@80°-90°1 | |||
| Engine (Make / Model) | Büssing-NAG L8V-G, water cooled.2 Büssing-NAG L8V1 |
Büssing-NAG L8V1 | Büssing-NAG L8V1 | |
| Cylinders | ||||
| Net HP | 1502,3 | |||
| Transmission | 6 forward, 6 reverse.1 | 6 forward, 6 reverse.1 | ||
| Fuel Type | Gasoline2 | |||
| Octane | ||||
| Capacity | 138 liters Fuel used per 100 km of road traveled: 46 liters |
|||
| Performance | ||||
| Traverse | 360°, hand.1 | 12° left, 12° right1,3 | ||
| Max Speed | 53 mph2 85 kph1,2,3 |
100 kph1 | 53 mph 80 kph1 |
|
| Cross Country | 19 mph2 30 kph2, 31 kph |
|||
| Road radius | 170 miles2 270 km2, 300 km1 Cross country: 95 miles2, 150 km2, 170 km |
300 km1 | 187 miles 300 km1 |
|
| Turning Radius | 10.5 m | |||
| Elevation Limits | -10° to +26°1 -1° to +26°2 |
-10° to +12° | ||
| Fording depth | 3' 3 1/3"2 1 m2 |
|||
| Trench crossing | 4' 1.25"2 1.25 m2 |
|||
| Vertical Obstacle | 1' 7.75"2 0.5 m2 |
|||
| Suspension (Type) | ||||
| Wheels each side | 4 | |||
| Return rollers each side | ||||
| Track length | ||||
| Tires | 8 | 8 | ||
| Track width | ||||
| Track centers/tread | 1.35 m | |||
| Production | 1936- : 600 | 1942-1945: 109 |
| Manufacturer | Date | # | Chassis nos. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 231/232 (8 rad) | Deutsche Werke, Schichau.1 | 1936-9/19431 | 6071 | 59902-872671 |
| 263 (8 rad) | Deutsche Werke, Schichau.1 | 4/1938-4/19431 | 2401 | 59902-872671 |
| 233 | Schichau1 | 12/1942-10/19431 | 1091 | 85615-872671 |
| 10/19421 | 10 converted1 |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
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