SdKfz 254
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| SdKfz 254 | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | Tracked/wheeled armoured scout car |
| Place of origin | Austria |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Austria, Nazi Germany |
| Production history | |
| Number built | 140 |
| Variants | artillery observation vehicle |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 6.4 tonnes |
| Length | 4.56 m |
| Width | 2.02 m, 2.20 m on wheels |
| Height | 1.88 m |
|
|
|
| Armor | 6 - 15 mm |
| Primary armament |
1 x MG34 7.92 mm machine gun |
| Engine | Saurer CRDv 4cyl, diesel 70hp |
| Operational range |
500 km on wheels |
| Speed | 60 km/h |
The Sdkfz 254 was a fully tracked armoured scout car employed by Nazi Germany during World War II.
From 1936, the vehicle was developed under the designation RK-7 by the Saurer company as an artillery tractor for the Austrian army. Testing was completed and in 1937, an order was placed for the tractors and they were manufactured in 1938. About 12 vehicles were made prior to Anschluss (the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938).
Manufacture of the vehicle continued after the Anschluss. Records indicate that a total of 140 units were built. The new German designation was Sdkfz 254. The vehicle featured a wheel-cum-track layout and a diesel motor. The wheels were lowered when it was used on roads and retracted for tracked movement cross-country. A number saw service with the Afrika Korps, serving as artillery observation vehicles after being fitted with a radio and rail antenna.
[edit] External links
- www.panzernet.net
- SdKfz 254 wwiivehicles.com
