Raupenschlepper, Ost
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| Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO) | |
|---|---|
 Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO) |
|
| Type | Tracked |
| Place of origin |  Nazi Germany |
| Specifications | |
| Crew | 2 (including Driver assistant) |
|
|
|
| Armor | None |
| Primary armament |
None |
| Engine | Steyr V8 3.5l / 8-cylinder Petrol/ 85hp (RSO/01)
5.5l / 4cyl Deutz diesel / 66hp (RSO/03) |
| Suspension | Fully Tracked |
| Speed | 30 km/h (12 mph) |
Raupenschlepper Ost, literally "Crawling Tractor - East", is more commonly abbreviated to RSO. This fully tracked, lightweight vehicle was conceived in response to the poor performance of wheeled or half-tracked vehicles in the mud and snow during the Wehrmacht's first winter on the Eastern Front.
The RSO eventually served in a wide variety of roles. The original version had a pressed steel cab with a truck-like configuration. This was used for general transport duties. A drop-sided wooden-cab tractor designated the RSO/03 was also produced.
Germany's desperation for mobile artillery led to the RSO being fitted with a 7.5cm PaK 40/1 anti-tank gun. The result was a lightweight, mobile but highly exposed anti-tank weapon. The RSO/PaK 40 combination was manufactured during 1943/44 and was primarily used to support anti-tank infantry units on the Eastern Front.
Approximately 23,000 of all versions were produced.
