Germany's Möbelwagen, 37mm "Furniture Van", SdKfz 161/3
Photos
Möbelwagen, 37mm "Furniture Van", SdKfz 161/3: |
Möbelwagen, 37mm "Furniture Van", SdKfz 161/3: |
Design
In September 19432, Hitler2 approved the Flakpanzer IV AA with 37 mm twin AA guns for which he saw a demonstration of it on May 14, 1943. Böhmisch-Mährisch of Prague received the contract for 150 vehicles.
3.7 cm FlaK 43 L/60 mounted on an unaltered PzKpfw IV Ausf H & Ausf J chassis.
A 20 mm version was shown to Hitler in October 1943, but he refused permission to produce it.
Engine
The rpm of the engine was raised to 2,800, which produced 272 hp.
Crew
The 4 box sides could be let down horizontally to allow for firing. When these were down the crew was completely exposed and with the height of the vehicle it left the crew in a rather exposed position. The high box sides led the crews to call them Möbelwagen (Furniture Van).2
Prototype
Production
- Möbelwagen, 37mm "Furniture Van", SdKfz 161/3: 2401
- Production: March 1944 - March 19451
- Manufacturer: Deutsche-Eisenwerke1
Variants
Usage
Issued to Flugabwehrzüge (AA platoons) of Panzer regiments.
Specifications
| Möbelwagen, 37mm "Furniture Van", SdKfz 161/3 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Driver, gun crew (5) 61, 72 |
| Radio | FuG51, FuG21 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 53,757 lb 24 tons1 |
| Length w/gun | 19' 5" 5.92 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 8' 9" 2.73 m1 |
| Width | 9' 7" 2.95 m1 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 3.7cm FlaK43 L/601 3.7 cm FlaK 432 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.92 mm MG42, internal 7.92 mm MG421 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 4161,2 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | |
| Hull Front, Upper | 50@9°1 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 80@14°1 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 30@0°1 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 30@0°1 |
| Hull Rear | 20@11°1 & 20@9°1 |
| Hull Top | Open1 |
| Hull Bottom | 10@90°1 |
| Turret Front | Shield: 25@0°1 |
| Turret Sides | Shield: 25@0°1 |
| Turret Rear | Shield: 25@0°1 |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 120 TRM1 |
| Cylinders | |
| Net HP | |
| Transmission | 6 forward, 1 reverse.1 |
| Fuel type | |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hand.1 |
| Speed - Road | 26 mph 38 kph1 |
| Speed - Cross Country | |
| Range - Road | 124 miles 200 km1 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | -6° to +90°1 |
| Fording depth | |
| Trench crossing | |
| Vertical Obstacle | |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | |
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
