Germanic four-wheel drive all-wheel drive armored cars from the Second World War. Part of 2. Family Sd.Kfz. Xnumx

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The German designers quickly assessed the advantages of the ADGZ Austrian heavy armored vehicle with the 8x8 wheel formula, which came to them after the Anschluss, before the prevailing 6X4 formula. The four-axis scheme, in addition to a significant increase in maneuverability, made it possible to place powerful artillery weapons and additional equipment on the chassis, as well as without significant losses in speed. The development of a four-axle chassis with a powerful engine for an armored car was launched in the middle of the 1930-s. In the 1934, the Army Armaments Administration entered into an agreement to develop an eight-wheel chassis with all driving and steering wheels with Deutsche Werke. These chassis should have become the base for a new series of armored vehicles that can replace the six-wheeled armored Sd.Kfz.231, created earlier.

Germanic four-wheel drive all-wheel drive armored cars from the Second World War. Part of 2. Family Sd.Kfz. Xnumx
Sd.Kfz.231 (8-rad) - reconnaissance armored vehicle, armed with 20-mm automatic cannon and 7,92-mm MG 34 machine gun


Full-scale work on the creation of a new armored vehicle on the four-wheel drive four-wheel chassis of the firm "Bussing-NAG" (Bussing-NAG) began in the 1935 year. Initially, prototypes of new machines were called "Versuchskraftfahrzeug" 623 and 624 (experimental machine). In the middle of 1937, they were given the designation Sd.Kfz.231 and .232, and in October 1939 the 8-Rad identifier was added to them to distinguish the eight-wheeled armored vehicles from the 6X4 vehicles with the same designation. In the army, these machines were called Achtrad (Ahtrad). The serial production of armored vehicles was carried out by Deutsche Eisenwerke (Kiel) and F. Schihau "(Elbing). The first was engaged in the production of component parts and assemblies, the second - the final assembly.

The family of armored cars included the following modifications:
- Sd.Kfz.231 (8-rad) - reconnaissance armored vehicle, armed with 20-mm automatic cannon and 7,92-mm MG 34 machine gun;
- Sd.Kfz. 232 (Fu) (8 Rad) - reconnaissance armored vehicle with 20-mm cannon and Fu 12 radio station with frame-type antenna;
- Sd.Kfz. 233 (8 Rad) - self-propelled installation with 75-mm howitzer (caliber 24 length) StuK 37;
- Sd.Kfz.263 (8-rad) is a command vehicle equipped with an antenna frame type.

Sd.Kfz.231 (8-Rad), which became the main heavy armored car of the Wehrmacht during World War II, was built according to the layout scheme with the rear engine compartment, two control stations and the wheel formula 8XXNNX. Two control posts allowed, if necessary, to carry out a departure without turning the armored car. The fully closed body of the armored vehicle had a rather complicated configuration. The welded body was assembled from sheets of rolled steel of various thicknesses, which were installed with rational angles of inclination. The thickness of the armor plates depended on the vulnerability and importance of the protected components and assemblies, and ranged from 8 to 8 mm. For additional protection of the nose of the machine was installed armored shield (the so-called "Pakschuetz") thickness 14,5 mm, which was attached to the body with brackets at a distance 10 mm from it. The empty space between the armored seat and the hull was used by the crew to accommodate various equipment. In July 500, the thickness of the armor was increased to 1942 mm. Such a reservation provided the crew (commander, gunner and two driver-mechanics, one of whom was also a radio operator), reliable protection from bullets, shell fragments and mines. In the Sd.Kfz.30 armored car, the crew was reduced to three people and consisted of: a front driver, a commander (also served as a radio operator and a gunner), a loader (served as a rear driver). The corps consisted of combat and power units. The power compartment occupied the rear part of the hull, and the military - the front.

Sd.Kfz. 232 (Fu) (8 Rad) - reconnaissance armored vehicle with 20-mm cannon and Fu 12 radio station with frame-type antenna


For landing / disembarking crew members between the second and third axis in the lower part of the sides of the armored vehicles there were double wing hatches. Another hatch was made in the front of the hull in the upper armor sheet. Also, landing in the car could be carried out through two tower hatches, made in the rear wall and on the roof of the tower.

The office of management was in front of the case, the driver was on the left. To facilitate the work of the driver in a close fighting compartment, the steering wheel was equipped with a hinge joint. The driver's seat was equipped with a set of monitoring devices that show the state of the engine and other components of the armored vehicle, as well as a compass, speedometer and clock. The space on the right was occupied by any crew member who was not occupied. For the front and rear driver was provided for four inspection hatches closed armor. The review for the rear driver was limited to the engine hood.

The engine compartment of the armored vehicle was located in the rear part of the hull. From the fighting compartment fenced off fire partition. The engine compartment was fitted with a V-shaped eight-cylinder carburetor engine “Bussing-NAG” L8V-G (Bussing-NAG L8V) with liquid cooling. Engine displacement - 7913 cm3, power at 3000 rpm - 150 hp (110,3 kW). On armored cars of later production series, a more powerful engine was installed - hp 180. (132,4 kW), displacement 8363 cm3.

From the engine to the wheels, torque was transmitted through the Buessing-NAG GS transmission, consisting of a three-speed gearbox of the preselector type (three speeds forward and three back) with a dual-disc dry clutch, a de-multiplicator (increased the number of possible combinations to 24), a limited slip differential and mechanical brakes . The power plant allowed even such a heavy armored vehicle (8,3 — 9,1 t) to reach the highway speed to 90 km / h. The maximum speed on a country road was 30 km / h.

Sd.Kfz. 233 (8 Rad) - self-propelled installation with 75-mm howitzer (caliber 24 length) StuK 37


In the four-axle all-wheel drive (wheel formula 8 × 8) chassis with independent suspension on semi-elliptical leaf springs were used single-sided wheels. All the wheels of Sd.Kfz.231 armored cars are driven, so the vehicles had a rather high maneuverability even despite the large combat weight. When turning the car, all 8 wheels were turning: the front four - in the direction of the turn, the rear - in the opposite. At the same time, the front and rear pairs turned at a greater angle. Box wings were made above each pair of wheels, the voids of which were used to place boxes for storing tools and spare parts.

Thanks to the powerful engine and all-wheel drive, the Sd.Kfz.231 family of armored vehicles had high permeability, were able to overcome ditches up to the 1,24 meter, vertical obstacles up to the 0,48 m and fords one meter deep. Fuel tanks accommodate 150 l. (118 + 32) gasoline. This amount of fuel allowed the armored car to pass along the highway about 300 km and 170 km - along the country road (fuel consumption was 45-50 l / 100 km).

Sd.Kfz.231 / 232 armored vehicles had a welded turret resting on ball bearings. The tower had no additional attachment with the body, but was equipped with a basket (polycom), which rotated along with the tower. Thanks to this, the commander of the armored vehicle (located in the left side of the turret) and the shooter (in the right one) located in the turret rotated with it. The main armament of the armored vehicles was installed in the turret: 20-mm gun 2cm KwK.30 L / 55 or KwK.38 L / 55 and MG-7,92 or MG-34. The ammunition for the gun was 42 shots, and for the machine gun - 200 cartridges. In the vertical plane, the armament was induced in the sector -1300 ... + 10 degrees. When lowering the lock, the barrel of the machine gun could be raised to + 26 degrees. Sights were mounted at the side of the mask of the gun. To monitor the environment, the commander of the vehicle used a periscope derived from the left side of the tower through the roof. In 37, the Sd.Kfz .1940 / 231 armored cannon mask was extensively processed. On the tower Sd.Kfz.232, the front supports of the antenna frame for radio station Fu 232 were mounted.

On Sd.Kfz. The 263 tower was missing. It was replaced by a stationary, spacious cabin, in which a single MG 34 machine gun was installed (the armament could be completely absent). This design decision was due to the installation of a large-sized frame antenna. In addition to the frame antenna, an additional retractable telescopic antenna, 9 meters in height, located behind the radio room was installed on this machine. The use of large-sized frame antenna, significantly increased the silhouette of an already high-volume armored car. This circumstance did not satisfy the troops, so in 1942, on both models of reconnaissance vehicles (232 / 263), it was replaced with a more compact whip.

Sd.Kfz.263 (8-rad) - command vehicle equipped with an antenna frame type


The tower was also absent on Sd.Kfz. 233, and its combat compartment has become open. The gun (75-millimeter KwK 37 of the company Rheinmetall-Borsig, barrel length - 24 caliber) was installed in the front compartment sheet of the right compartment. The gun had an electric trigger and a vertical wedge gate. The ammunition consisted of 32 shots with smoke (initial speed 455 m / s, mass 6,21 kg), high-explosive fragmentation (initial speed 450 m / s, mass 5,73 kg), armor-piercing (initial speed 385 m / s, mass 6,8 kg) and cumulative (initial speed 485 m / s, weight 4,44 kg) projectiles. In addition, a MG34 machine gun of the 7,92 mm caliber was installed over the fighting compartment, which allowed firing not only at ground targets, but also at air. Ammunition machine gun - 1500 cartridges. Also inside this armored car, as in all vehicles of the family, there was a submachine gun MP40 and 6 hand grenades. On the front fenders of the car, smoke bombs were attached to the 4.

Total in the period from 1936 to 1943. 966 armored vehicles of this family were released, of which: Sd.Kfz.231 / 232 - 607 units, Sd.Kfz.233 - 119 units, Sd.Kfz.263 - 240 units.

Armored vehicles Sd.Kfz.231 / 232 were used for reconnaissance and have proven themselves in this role. These machines were practically not used to combat tanks enemy in view of weak weapons and thin armor, although there is evidence that armored cars several times entered into battles with Allied tanks, and won. At the same time, the good cross-country ability of these cars allowed them to move perfectly not only along the highway (for example, the French developed highway network made it possible to reach any point of the country without moving off the asphalt) but also on rough terrain. Sd.Kfz.232 performed well on the mountain roads of Yugoslavia and Greece.

The German heavy armored vehicles were able to fully reveal their capabilities in North Africa. The "Deutsches Afrikakorps" consisted of two units equipped with these armored vehicles: the 33-s reconnaissance battalion of the 15-th tank division and the 3-s reconnaissance battalion of the 5 th light division. In the spring of 1941, the 3 Battalion distinguished itself during the offensive of the German-Italian troops. Along with conducting reconnaissance, these armored vehicles took part in the hostilities. Sd.Kfz.231 / 232 in the desert underwent extensive testing, during which the advantages and disadvantages of the machines were revealed. The disadvantages include insufficient cooling of the engine, as well as high fuel consumption, which limited the radius of action.

On the Eastern Front, the armored cars of this family had to be tight. First, it turned out that the Sd.Kfz.231 patency, which was excellent for Europe, was clearly insufficient for Russia. Secondly, in the Red Army there were tanks, in the collision with which the German cars had no chance. Under these conditions, reconnaissance was carried out, as a rule, on medium tanks, and armored cars were kept in the rear.

Based on materials:
http://voenoboz.ru/
http://www.weltkrieg.ru
http://ursa-tm.ru
http://armoredgun.org
http://war-arms.ru/
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12 comments
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  1. borisst64
    0
    18 January 2013 11: 44
    In the second photo, the armored car seems to be stuck on the hub.
    1. +1
      18 January 2013 12: 50
      Quote: borisst64
      In the second photo, the armored car seems to be stuck on the hub.


      Or standing in a rut
  2. 0
    18 January 2013 13: 10
    You need to read the article before publication, and it’s quite interesting.
  3. +1
    18 January 2013 13: 55
    Every time I look at wheeled vehicles of the 2nd World War and think: //
    Rubber on vehicles that pretend to move on an intersection - everywhere with a "soft" tread, narrow and high.
    The third (top-down) image shows the equivalent of today's 36-37 inch size.
    In my jeep, weighing just over 2 tons - the 33rd.
    And here, at least 10-12 tons would need at least 44 inches.
    What is it? Lack of wheel experience on the crossroads .., saving rubber? ...
    Unclear:/
    1. biglow
      +1
      18 January 2013 15: 59
      Bigriver,
      in those days, the engines had a great twisting moment at minimum speed, and it allowed you to move on the road.
      1. 0
        18 January 2013 16: 19
        biglow

        KM is a traction characteristic. It affects the cross, but not directly, but indirectly.
        The KM curve is not interesting in itself, but in relation to the ability to twist a particular tire diameter.
        I, as it were, a long time fisherman :))) And I know off-road, a little. Increasing the size of the rubber and the tread aggressiveness increases the passability of the car by tens of percent. Well .. it's hard to calculate :))
        I do not understand such narrow tires and "flabby" treads on military vehicles of the 2nd World War.
        The whole thing, in Russia, is "washed" for "time".
        Here, for comparison, you can see what the "Tigers" are on now. Very competent rubber, both in pattern and in size, for our conditions. True, the "tree" is not for the swamp.
        1. biglow
          0
          18 January 2013 18: 56
          Bigriver,
          on narrow rubber, less rolling resistance
  4. Edgar
    +1
    18 January 2013 16: 12
    the author forgot to mention some more factors that did not allow these machines to become massive. 1) This is the price, an armored car with independent suspension and all steered wheels was very difficult to manufacture and expensive. 2) the reliability of the chassis was so-so - rubber-fabric covers covering numerous axles were often torn and required replacement. And not in the indoor and highly equipped workshops of Vaterland, but in the field. But you won’t change it on time - then you had to produce a much larger amount of work
  5. +1
    18 January 2013 19: 10
    He was always amazed at the number and on the menstruation of the German armored vehicles. Both tracked, and semi-tracked, and wheeled.
    1. +1
      18 January 2013 20: 14
      Quote: Kars
      He was always amazed at the number and on the menstruation of the German armored vehicles. Both tracked, and semi-tracked, and wheeled.

      Fully imagine what kind of smut was due to such a diversity of their own vice technologists and suppliers. No ordnung will help in such a differently colored bedlam. My father told me that they, gunners, did not disdain to use German trophy trucks during the war, but only mass models, such as the Opel Blitz. Any exclusive did not like, precisely because of the problems with the repair and spare parts. A lot of things came up to Blitz from Zakhar, because they are relatives, clones from typical American GMC trucks.
      1. +1
        19 January 2013 01: 48
        Quote: Centurion
        In such a miscellaneous bedlam no order will help.

        Unfortunately, this did not stop them from reaching Moscow, then to the Caucasus and Stalingrad.
        Quote: Centurion
        clones from typical american GMC trucks

        Which mine in Denmark was produced specifically for the Wehrmacht, (I can’t be mistaken for wheels, I’m not very interested in American automobile factories in the territory of occupied Europe)
  6. 0
    18 January 2013 20: 01
    I played in "Blitzkrieg", where this machine also had a 50-mm cannon. Is this true, or an invention of the authors of the game?
    1. ICT
      +1
      18 January 2013 20: 50
      there is not much else in the car; probably there was a heavy four-axle reconnaissance armored car Sd.Kfz.234 / 2 cougar (a campaign about it later)
    2. +2
      18 January 2013 20: 53
      The 50-mm KwK 39 / 1 gun was mounted on the Sd.Kfz reconnaissance armored vehicle. 234 / 2 (to be described in part three)
  7. 0
    19 January 2013 15: 54
    ICT,
    ulyakinmariupol,
    Thank you.

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