German cross

Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 231) 8 rad, Achtrad armored cars

Photos

Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 231) 8 rad:
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 231) 8 rad		      
Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad:
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad		 Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad:
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad		 Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad:
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad		 Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad in the Balkans:
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad in the Balkans
Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 233) 8 rad:
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 233) 8 rad		 Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 233) 8 rad:
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 233) 8 rad		 SdKfz 233 armored car captured by the allies in North Africa:
Germany's SdKfz 233 armored car captured by the allies in North Africa
United States Army in World War II, Pictorial Record, The War Against Germany and Italy: Mediterranean and Adjacent Areas, 1951, pg 50 		 
Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 263) 8 rad
Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 263) 8 rad		      

Design

There was a need for improved cross-country performance to replace the SdKfz 231 (6 Rad) and development was ordered in 1934 and started in 1935.2,3 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.

Chassis

The SdKfz 231 (8-Rad) was built upon a Büssing-NAG 8x8 truck chassis.2 The chassis was rather complex and expensive to produce.2 It provided all wheel drive and steering with independent suspension.2

Driving

Steering wheels and controls are provided for each direction in the SdKfz 231 (8 Rad).3 Steering was done by all wheels.3 Each wheel had its own suspension.3

Turret

The seats for the commander and gunner were attached to a hand traversed turret.

Armor

Early in 1940 an 8mm plate was to the front of many of the models.

Prototype

Production

  • schwerer Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 231 (8-Rad): 1,2352
    • Production: 1937 - 19422
  • Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 231): 600, 6071
    • Production: 1936 - ? , 1936 - September 19431
    • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke, Schichau1
  • Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (SdKfz 232) 8 rad:
    • Production: 1936 - September 19431
    • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke, Schichau1
  • Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 233): 1091
    • Production: 1942 - 1945, December 1942 - October 19431
    • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke in Kiel, Schichau1
  • Panzerfunkwagen (SdKfz 263) 8 rad: 2401
    • Production: April 1938 - April 19431
    • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke, Schichau1

Variants

  • schwerer Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 231 (8-Rad): Had 20 mm KwK 30 or KwK 38 with a coaxial 7.92 mm MG 34.2
  • Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 231):
  • 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.2,3 During 1942 models had aerial replaced with a simple pole aerial.3 Production ceased in September 1942.
  • Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 233): Gave reconnaissance squadrons ability to engage enemy armor. First issued in late 1942.2 6 were issued to the Panzerspähwagen squadrons of the Aufklärungs battalions detachments. Used on all fronts during the war. Had 7.5 cm gun mounted in the open as the turret was removed.2
  • 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.2,3 A large frame antenna and a telescoping mast were provided for long-range communications.2 Issued to Nachrichten detachments of motorized and Panzer divisions. Sometimes were issued to Corps and Army headquarters.

Usage

Issued to heavy Panzerspähwagen squadrons of each motorized Aufklärungs detachments.

North Africa

SdKfz 231 (8 Rad)s were used widely in North Africa.2

Specifications

  Schwere Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 231 (8 rad) Schwere Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 232 Fu (8 rad) Schwere Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 233 (8 rad) Panzerfunkwagen SdKfz 263 Fu (8 rad)
Crew Commander, gunner, drivers(2)
41,2,3 		43 31,2 51,3
Radio FuG Spr Ger 'a'1 FuG121, FuG Spr Ger 'a'1 FuG Spr Ger 'a'1 Sätz Funkgerät für Pz Funktrupp b1
Physical Characteristics        
Weight 16,700 lb
8.15 tons3, 8.2 tons, 8.3 tons1,2 		8.35 tons3 19,219 lb
8.7 tons1 		7.95 tons3, 8.1 tons1, 8.2 tons
Length w/gun 19' 1"3, 19' 2"2
5.85 m1,2, 5.8 m 		19' 1"3 19' 6"
5.85 m1 		19' 1"3
5.85 m1
Length w/o gun        
Height 7' 8"2, 7' 10"3
2.35 m1, 2.34 m2 		9' 6"3
2.9 m		 7' 6"
2.25 m1 		9' 6"3
2.9 m1
Width 7' 2.5"2, 7' 3"3
2.2 m1,2, 2.21 m 		7' 3"3 7' 3.5"
2.2 m1 		7' 3"3
2.2 m1
Ground clearance 1'
28 cm 		     
Ground contact length        
Ground pressure        
Turret ring diameter        
Armament        
Main 20 mm KwK 30/383
20 mm KwK301,2 		20 mm KwK 30/383 75 mm StuK37 L/241,3
7.5 cm2 		7.92 mm MG341
MG 343
OR 20 mm KwK381,2      
Secondary        
MG 7.92 mm MG341
MG 343 		  7.92 mm MG421  
MG - coaxial 7.92 mm MG342 7.92 mm MG34    
Side arms 1 sub machine gun      
Quantity        
Main 1801   321 1,0501
Secondary        
MG 2,1001 1,0501 1,5001  
Side arms        
Armor Thickness (mm) 14.53 14.53   14.53
Hull Front, Upper 15@28°1   15@30°1
Shield: 15@30°1 		18@17°1
Hull Front, Lower 8+10@35°1   30@35°1 8@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   8@35°1 & 10@25°1 10@31°1 & 10@35°1
Hull Top 6@84°-90°1   6@84°1 & open1 6@90°1
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-NAG3 Büssing-NAG3 Büssing-NAG L8V1 Büssing-NAG L8V1, Büssing-NAG3
Cylinders V 83      
Net HP 1502, 155@3,000 rpm3 1553   1553
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  
Speed - Road 53 mph2,3
85 kph1,2 		53 mph3 53 mph
80 kph1 		53 mph3
100 kph1
Speed - Cross Country 19 mph2
30 kph2, 31 kph 		     
Range - Road 170 miles2, 186 miles3
270 km2, 300 km1 		186 miles3 187 miles
300 km1 		186 miles3
300 km1
Range - Cross Country 95 miles2
150 km2, 170 km 		     
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) Semi-elliptic leaf spring3      
Wheels each side 4      
Tires 8   8  
Tire centers/tread 1.35 m      

Sources:

  1. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  2. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  3. German Tanks and Armoured Vehicles 1914 - 1945, B. T. White, 1966