Germany's SdKfz 7 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half tracks

Photos

SdKfz 7/1 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half track:	SdKfz 7/1 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half track: Bundesarchiv, Koblenz	SdKfz 7/2 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half track with 3.7cm Flak 36: Imperial War Museum - MH8778	SdKfz 7/2 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half track with 3.7cm Flak 36: Imperial War Museum - MH9034
SdKfz 7/2 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half track with 3.7cm Flak 36:	SdKfz 7/6 Flakmesstruppenwagen: Imperial War Museum - STT978	SdKfz 7 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half track towing an 88 mm FlaK 18:	SdKfz 7 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t half track towing an 88 mm FlaK 18:

Design

The SdKfz 7 was based on designs made by Krauss-Maffei in the late 1920s.² Then in 1934 the Wehrmacht put out a requirement for an eight ton half track.²

From 1934 to 1938 several prototypes were built and the SdKfz 7 was selected.²

Artillery Tractor

The SdKfz 7 could tow up to 17,637 lb / 8,000 kg.²

It was used to pull the following:

• 88 mm FlaK 18²
• 88 mm FlaK 36²
• 88 mm FlaK 37²
• 105 mm K18²
• 150 mm sFH 18²

Vehicles were fitted with a winch that could pull 7,606 lb / 3,450 kg.²

Prototype

Production

Built by Krauss-Maffei in Munich, Sauserwerke in Vienna, and Borgward in Bremen.

• SdKfz 7 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t: 3,262²
  • Production 1938 - 1944²
  • Manufacturer: Krauss-Maffei in Munich², Sauserwerke in Vienna², Borgward in Bremen²
• SdKfz 7/1 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t: 319¹
  • Production: ? - October 1944¹
• SdKfz 7/2 mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t: 123¹
  • Production: ? - February 1945¹

Variants

• SdKfz 7: Artillery tractor.²
• SdKfz 7/1: 20 mm Flak 38 4-gun mounting.² Ammunition was carried in a trailer. Some had armor protection for the driver.²
• SdKfz 7/2, mZgkw 8t mit 3.7cm Flak 36 SdKfz 7/2: 37 mm Flak 36.² Ammunition was carried in a trailer.
• Fuerleitpanzer auf Zugkraftwagen 8t: Used as observation and command posts for V-2 rocket launches.²
• Flakmesstruppenwagen, SdKfz 7/6:

Usage

Italy

Italy produced a close copy called the Breda 61.²

United Kingdom

Bedford Motors made a copy of a captured SdKfz 7, intending to produce them but no order was placed.²

Specifications

	SdKfz 7	SdKfz 7/1	SdKfz 7/2
Crew	122	101	101
Physical Characteristics
Weight	25,463 lb2 11,550 kg2 Empty: 9,750 kg3 Loaded: 11,500 kg3	11.55 tons1	11.55 tons1
Length w/gun	20' 3"2 6.85 m2,3	6.85 m1	6.85 m1
Length w/o gun
Height	8' 7.1"2 2.62 m2,3	2.62 m1	2.62 m1
Width	7' 10.5"2 2.4 m2,3	2.4 m1	2.4 m1
Ground clearance
Ground contact length
Ground pressure (psi)
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main		20 mm FlaK38 L/112.61	37 mm FlaK36 L/981
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Quantity
Main
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)		1943 on, driver's cab 8 mm1	1943 on, driver's cab 8 mm1
Hull Front, Upper
Hull Front, Lower
Hull Sides, Upper
Hull Sides, Lower
Hull Rear
Hull Top
Hull Bottom
Turret Front
Turret Sides
Turret Rear
Turret Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL 622,3	Maybach HL62TUK1	Maybach HL62TUK1
Cylinders	62	4x2 forward, 1x2 reverse.1	4x2 forward, 1x2 reverse.1
Net HP	1402,3
Transmission
Fuel type	Gasoline2
Octane
Capacity (gallons)
Performance
Traverse	360°, hand	360°, hand.1	360°, hand.1
Speed - Road	31 mph2 50 kph2,3	50 kph1	50 kph1
Road - Cross Country
Range - Road		250 km1	250 km1
Turning Radius
Elevation Limits		-10° to +100°1	-8° to +85°1
Fording depth
Trench crossing
Vertical Obstacle
Suspension (Type)	Wheels: Trans leaf spring3 Tracks: Longed ditto, Torsion bar3
Wheels each side
Return rollers each side
Track length
Tires
Track width
Track centers/tread