Aufklaerungspanzerwagen Full and Half-Track Armored Reconnaissance Vehicles (Panzer Tracts 11-02)

44 Pages·2003·34.79 MB·English

by  Thomas L. Jentz

$14.95
PANZER TRACTS No.ll-2
Aufklaerungspanzerwagen
(Full and Half-Tracked Armored
Reconnaissance Vehicles)
,
H 8 H to Vollkettenaufklaerer 38
Created by Thomas L. Jentz
and Hilary Louis Doyle
Featuring the H8H, RK9, 250/9, T 15, 38t n.A., and 38t a.A.
with ultra-accurate 1/35 scale drawings
of the "Lochs" Panzerspaehwagen II (2 em) (Sd.Kfz.123)
Cover Photo:
A leichte Schuetzenpanzerwagen (2 em) (Sd.Kfz.250/9) Ausf.B issued to the 2.Panzer-Division.
(WJS)
The scale prints by Hilary Louis Doyle, drawn originally in 1124 scale, have been reduced 68.6 percent to
approximately 1/35 scale.
The scale prints of the "Lochs" were drawn at full scale using a CAD program and printed at 1135 scale.
Surviving Panzers were measured in detail to produce these extremely accurate drawings within the
tolerances,allowed-to the original assembly firms.
Thanks are especially due to Walter J. Spielberger (32) and Karlheinz Muench (1) for providing copies
of rare and unique photos. Photos were also obtained from the Bundesarchiv-Bildarchiv (1),
Bundesarchiv-Militaerarchiv (5); National Archives (1), The Tank Museum (1) and Ordnance Museum
at Aberdeen Proving Ground (1).
Published by
Panzer Tracts
P.O.Box 334
Boyds, MD 20841
©Copyright Thomas L. Jentz 2003
ISBN 0-9744862.:.2-l
All rights reserved. No portion of this
publication may be reprinted or reproduced
in any fashion or by any means without the
express written permission of the publisher.
INTRODUCTION
The advantages of a full-tracked reconnais designed for the RK 9 chassis, only a few of which
sance vehicle were stated in the experience report were completed for trials before the project was
from the 2. leichte-Division after the campaign in abandoned.
Poland: "In addition, it is proposed that an Einheits During the middle of the campaign in Poland,
Aufklaerungsfahrzeug (standardized reconnaissance on 15 September 1939 lnspektorat 6 ordered the
vehicle) be developed. Instead of speed, first priority Waffenamt to start development of a full-tracked
should be given to cross-country mo_bility and steering gepanzerte Aufklaerungsfahrzeug (armored recon
while driving in reverse. Whether a full-tracked tank naissance vehicle). This order initiated the VK 13.01
or a wheel-cum-track should be favored depends on chassis project designed by M.A.N. which evolved into
the requirements. of ground reconnaissance. All the VK 13.03 - better known as the "Luchs".
reconnaissance vehicles used in Poland were confined Contracts were also awarded to both B.M.M. (38t
to the roads or trails and are unusable for reconnais n.A.) and Skoda (T 15) for competing designs. All
sance. The Einheits-Aufklaerungsfahrzeug must have three had large diameter roadwheels, but only the VK
sufficient cross-country mobility to· conduct recon 13.03 had a torsion bar suspension with shock
naissance off the roads and trails just like tanks." All absorbers, while the 38t n.A. and T 15 had self
of the reconnaissance vehicles that had been used by dampening leaf spring bundles. By March 1942, it
the 2.1eichte-Division in Poland were 4-, 6-, and 8- was proposed that the armament of all three of these
wheeled armored cars (refer to Panzer Tracts 11-1). full-tracked reconnaissance vehicles be increased_to a
Already prior to the start of the war, Inspek 5 em Kw.K. L/60 instead of the 2 em in the VK 13.03
torat 6 and the Heeres Waffenamt had initiated and 3.7 em in the 38t n.A. and T 15. Two of these
projects to design armored reconnaissance vehicles projects were canceled after extensive testing of the
with better cross-country performance than could be few trial vehicles that had been produced. The third
obtained from multiple-axle wheeled vehicles. These project -the Luchs -was reduced from an initial order
projects included the H 8 H half-track chassis from for 500 to an actual production series run of only 100.
Hanomag and the RK9 wheel-cum-track chassis from In the middle of the war, in 1942, the German
Saurer-Werke, Wien. army still didn't have a half-tracked or full-tracked
The H 8 H was a unique design, with the armored reconnaissance vehicle in mass production.
engine and transmission mounted in the rear - instead To quickly get a_v ehicle with improved cross-country
of in the front - similar to the G.S. chassis created for capability into production, the existing 2 em Kw.K.
the schwere Panzerspaehwagen· (8 Rad) (Sd.Kfz.231). mounts with armor shields· (originally designed for
The H 8 H chassis shared the same torsion bar mounting on the wheeled armored cars) were
suspension with large roadwheels as the HL kl7 chas mounted on existing half-tracked and full-tracked
sis designed for the 3-ton Zugkraftwagen. Special chassis. Two examples of this approach were the
tracks with rubber pads and lubricated bearings were le.S.P.W. (2 em) (Sd.Kfz.250/9) and the Aufklaerungs
designed to enable these half-tracks to achieve high panzerwagen 38 (Sd.Kfz.140/1). At first the Sd.Kfz.
road speeds. However, because they were throwing 250/9 had the ten-sided armor shield and pedestal gun
track pads, even before the war these half-tracks were mount designed for the Sd.Kfz.222. Then in 1943, the
ordered to be driven at speeds less than 50 km/hr. 2 em Haengelafette (suspended mount) with 30-mm
Only a small trial series of 30 rear-engine H 8 H thick front armor was adopted for both the Sd.Kfz.
chassis were produced. 250/9 and Sd.Kfz.140/1. While only 70 Sd.Kfz.140/1
The firm of Saurer-Werke in Austria had were completed, over 700 Sd.Kfz. 250/9 · were
specialized in the development of wheel-cum-track produced from 1942 to 1945 - making it the standard
chassis for use by the Austrian army. Their larger cross-country reconnaissance vehicle for Panzer
model, the RR7, was designed for towing artillery at Divisions in the latter phases of the war.
high speeds on roads while possessing the ability to Toward the· end of the war, projects were
pull the artillery pieces into position across muddy again initiated to convert "38" chassis into full
steep slopes. After the annexation of Austria into the tracked armored reconnaissance vehicles. At least one
Reich, these wheel-cum-track vehicles didn't fit into "Vollkettenaufklaerer 38" was created by mounting a·
the series of half-tracked vehicles used by, the army for 7.5 em Kanone on a "Bergepanzerwagen 38" chassis.
towing artillery. Alternative uses for these wheel Refer to Panzer Tracts 20-2 for details on other
cum-tracks were investigated, including their use as tracked reconnaissance vehicle projects (like the
chassis for armored observation vehicles and armored Panzer-Aufklaerer auf 38t and the Aufklaerer 38D)
reconnaissance vehicles. An altered suspension was that didn't make it past the drawing board.
l.l-45
Schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (Halbketten)
Fahrgestell Typ H 8 H
By early 1937, the firm of Hanomag had the Buessing NAG m.Zgkw. 5t (BN 9). As reported by
designed a -chassis for a schwerer Panzerspaehwagen Hanomag- postwar in 1946-a total of30 HSH chassis
(heavy armored car). The Halbketten Fahrgestell were produced, with the first vehicles tested in March
(half-track chassis) was known as the H 8 H- the first 1939. Also, a manual (D 660/12) on the H 8 H chassis
H for Hanomag, the 8 for the 8th design in the series, was published to provide operating instructions for
and the last H for Hinten (rear). The engine, cooling the crews,
I
system, and transmission were mounted at the rear of Contracts for the design development and
the chassis instead of the more conventional method of production of the chassis, armor bodies, turrets, and
positioning these components at the front. However, armament were awarded to completely separate firms
the differential steering unit and drive sprockets were by different departments in the Heeres Waffenamt.
still located at the front of the tracked section of the Therefore Hanomag was only responsible for the
suspension like its predecessor the HL kl 6. design and production of automotive chassis and did
Due to the requirement for higher speed, the not have any connection at all with the design and
firm of Maybach was contracted to produce a more procurement of the armor or·t urret that was to be
powerful engine than the 100 metric horsepower NL subsequently mounted on their chassis. At this time,
38 used in the predecessor design. Initially rated at after being tested for acceptance by Waffenamt
120 metric horsepower at 2600 rpm, the water-cooled, inspectors, the completed chassis were sent to a differ
6-cylinder Maybach HL 49 TRWS gasoline engine had ent assembly plant for bolting the armor body onto the
a bore of 95 mm and a stroke of 115 mm - resulting in chassis frame, mounting the turret, and outfitting the
a swept volume of 4.9 liters. An advanced-design, 10- interior with equipment, tools, and ammunition
speed pre-selective SRG 123149 transmission was also stowage racks.
created by Maybach. While sufficient data has been found to prove
Like its predecessor the HL kl 6, the H 8 H had that the chassis were produced, there hasn't been a
a torsion bar suspension with six pairs of rubber-tired single document found on the design, production, or
roadwheels per side. The Zgw. 50/280/140 track links assembly of the armor bodies or turrets to be mounted
with lubricated bearings and rubber pads had been on the H 8 H chassis. The reports on the various types
invented for high-speed travel on roads while also of four, six, and eight.;.wheeled Panzerspaehwagen in
providing increased floatation off road. Due to the service in September/October 1939 do not mention
offset caused by the transversely mounted torsion bar these schwere Panzerspaehwagen (Halbketten) as
suspension, there were 55 track links on the left side present in the inventory of either the active or
and 56 track links on the right. 190-18 pneumatic tires reserve/training units. Nor have any reports been
were mounted on the front for steering on the roads found that confirm that these schwere Panzerspaeh
and through shallow turns when off road. wagen (Halbketten) were issued to a Panzerspaeh
On 8 May 1937, the Waffenamt reported that kompanie (armored reconnaissance company) of an
24 s.Pz.Sp.Wg. (Hlbkett) under contract were still to Aufklaerungs-Abteilung (reconnaissance battalion).
be delivered. Maybach received an order to produce Therefore, we are left with a major gap in the
24 HL 49 TRWS engines (serial number series from history of these armored reconnaissance vehicles.
44001 to 44024). Maybach reported on 7 July 1937 What happened to these 30 H 8 H chassis? What was
that Zahnradfabrik, Friedrichshafenhad a contract to the shape of the armor body that was designed for
produce 24 SRG 123149 (Motor HL 49) transmissions them? What turret and armament were to be
for the Hanomag Heckfahrzeug H 8 H which were mounted on the armor body? What unit were they
scheduled to be delivered at a rate of 12 per month in issued to - if they were completed? Are photos avail
January and February 1938. able from the veterans but they haven't been identi
At some point an additional six H 8 H chassis fied?
were ordere.d with the more powerful HL 54 TRWS The conjectural sketch that appears on the
engines (serial number series starting at 44025). The opposite page was created as an aid to identify one of
HL 54 was simply the HL 49 bored out to 100 mm in these schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (Halbketten) (Fgst.
order to achieve 115 metric horsepower at 2600 rpm. Typ H 8 H) in any surviving photos.
In the interim, it had been determined that the HL 49
could only achieve 110 metric horsepower at 2600
rpm. Maybach reported that they had produced a
total of 80 HL 49/54 engines in 1938 (for the H 8 Hand
11-46
Above: 30 Typ H 8 H Fahrgestell with rear-mounted engines were completed by Hanomag for the
schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (Halbketten).
Below: A conjectural sketch of the schwerer Panzerspaehwagen (Halbketten)
based on the angles needed to create an armor-piercing bullet-proof shell
with adequate clearance for the automotive components shown in the above photograph.
The turret and armament were based on the only known type available at the time.
..
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r---------' • • • -:.- • • • • • • • • • • •,.' • • • • • • • • • • • .:.. • • • • • •' L--------"'\
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_,-' --_t: .._ -,:::::::::::::::::::~--I.I __ \
11-47
Panzerspaehwagen RK Ausf.A
Raederketten Wagen RK 9
On 21 May 1938, In 6 requested that Wa Pruef 15 had been ordered, with production scheduled to
6 proceed with the development of an armored Auf start in the Fall of 1941.
klaerungs-Fahrzeug (reconnaisance vehicle) capable The Waffen SS had attempted to directly
of traveling on both wheels and tracks. Wa Pruef 6 purchase RK 9 from Saurer for which they were
awarded a contract to Saurer-Werke, Wien to design rebuked by the OKH in June 1941.
the chassis and a second contract to Daimler-Benz, In addition to being tested in the snow in
Berlin to design the turret. Austria, an RK 9 (Fgst.Nr.9004) was sent to Lamia,
The Raederketten Wagen RK 9 (wheel-track Greece for testing in a hot climate for potential
vehicle, model RK' 9) chassis developed by Saurer in employment in Libya. The tests were conducted in
July 1941 evolved from their previous efforts to August and September 1941 with 788 kilometers
produce wheel-cum-track artillery towing vehicles - driven on roads on the wheels and 47 kilometers
the RR 6 and RR 7. The RR 7 chassis (renamed RK 7) driven off-road on the tracks. At outside tempera
were utilized for mittlerer gepanzerter Beobachtungs tures in the shade of 28 to 38 degrees Celsius (82 to
kraftwagen (Sd.Kfz.254) (medium armored artillery 100 degrees Fahrenheit) driving was impossible after
observation vehicles) by the German army (refer to a short trip due to heat from the steering brakes, heat
page 11-6 in Panzer Tracts 11-1). The RK 9 had a from the water-cooled diesel engine located next to the
wheelbase of 2.09 meters wide for the pneumatic tires driver, and poor ventilation of the driving compart
and 1.40 meters wide for the tracks (as compared to ment. At an outside air temperature of 34 degrees
2.00 meters for wheels and 1.26 meters for tracks on Celsius, temperatures were measured at 55 degrees
the RK 7). Celsius (131 F) at the driver's head and 82 degrees
Armor plates ranging from 5.5 to 14.5 mm Celsius (180 F) at his feet- with the driver's visor ·and
thick were angled to ensure that the armor body was turret hatch open. The Cletrac steering unit quickly
proof against 7.92 mm SmK armor-piercing rounds overheated and the driver didn't have the strength to
fired by rifles or machineguns. A Saurer Typ OKD steer it on tracks. Even steering on wheels was rela
diesel engine rated at 100 metric horsepower was to tively difficult. Therefore, the test report concluded
propel the vehicle weighing 6.5 metric tons at a maxi that this vehicle was not suitable for employment in
mum speed of 80 km/hr on wheels or 30 km/hr on hot climates such as those that would be encountered
tracks. in Libya.
Armament in the turret consisted of a model The project status reported on 1 July 1942 was
EW 141 7.92 mm Panzerbuechse (anti-tank rifle) and that there was one chassis with a turret and one chas
one 7.92 mm M.G.34. A commander/gunner, radio sis without a turret available, both bodies made out of
operator, and driver made up the crew of three. carbon steel - not armor plates. The 0-Serie of 15
Communication equipment consisted of medium Pz.Sp.Wg. RK Ausf.A were being produced with plans
range sending and receiving radio sets as well as to complete the first vehicle on 31 May 1942. Because
intercom between the crew members. this was a Wa Pruef 6 contract, Wa J Rue 6 did not
As reported in July 1941, two development report the status of this project in their monthly pro
pieces (Entwicklungsstueck) had been ordered, with duction reports. Therefor~, records have not been
the first one delivered in June 1940 and a second one found revealing how many, if any, of the 0-Serie
due in August 1941. A Versuchsserie (trial series) of Pz.Sp.Wg. RK Ausf.A were completed.
Right Above and Below:
The Panzerspaehwagen RK Ausf.A
on the RK 9 Fahrgestell designed and
produced by Saurer-Werke in Vienna, Austria
with a turret designed and produced
by Daimler-Benz Werk 40 in Berlin.
(BA-MA and TTM)
11-48
11-49
. I I
~
.
.
"
.
11-50
This and Opposite Page:
An RK 9 V ersuchs
Fahrgestell (trial chassis)
being driven on both
wheels and tracks.
It was never intended
that a turret be produced
and mounted on this test
vehicle.
(WJS)
11-51
Ieichter Schuetzenspanzerwagen (2 em) (Sd.Kfz.250/9)
Ausfuehrung A und B
Fgst.Nr. Serie 100001-, 200001-, 310001-
Due to higher priority demands for armor ern Front for troop trials by 1 July 1942. Mass
piercing bullet-proof 14.5 mm and 8 mm thick armor production was planned to commence in mid-July
plates, completion of the first production series of 1942 at the rate of 30 per month. Thirty from contract
Ieichter Schuetzenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.250) did not SS 211-0807/42 awarded to Schoeller-Bleckman
occur until June 1941. Initially, five different variants Stahlwerke in Ternitz for production of 150
of the Sd.Kfz.250 were produced on the D7p chassis, Sd.Kfz.222 Schutzschild (turret armor housings) were
including the open-topped Ieichter Beobachtungs delivered to Appel in Berlin-Spandau, with the rest
panzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.250/5) as a replacement for the going to the firm of Evans & Pistor in Kassel for
close-topped Sd.Kfz.253. assembly of Sd.Kfz.250/9. The contract was expanded
As reported on 1 July 1942, in March 1942 In to 230 Sd.Kfz.222 Schutzschild in November 1942.
6 authorized Wa Pruef 6 to develop a le.Schtz.Pz. At least 310 Sd.Kfz.250/9 had been delivered to
Sp.Wg. (Sd.Kfz.250/Sp.) using the D7p chassis. Wa the Heeres Zeugamt by the end of 1943, 318 in 1944,
Pruef 6 awarded a contract to the firm of Gustav and 109 in January/February 1945. Production plans
Appel in Berlin-Spandau to adopt the pedestal mount dated 1 October 1944 called for Evans & Pistor to
with shield (designed for the le.Pz.Sp.Wg. (2 em) complete 58 with the 2 em Haengelafette Sd.Kfz.250/9
(Sd.Kfz.222)) onto the armored body of the le.S.P.W. (out of a total of 200 Sd.Kfz.250 per month) from
(Sd.Kfz.250). The armament consisted of a 2 em October 1944 through May 1945. At this point the
Kw.K.38 and one coaxially mounted M.G.34. Hand Sd.Kfz.250 was to be phased out and replaced by an
grenades and two M.P.38 were also carried for close increase in Sd.Kfz.251 production.
combat. In accordance with K.St.N. and K.A.N. 1162c
Starting in 1943, the armor body design was dated 5Feb43 and 1Nov43, the Panzerspaehkompanie
simplified with the introduction of the Ausf.B. A 2 em c (armored reconnaissance company) was to have 9
Haengelafette (suspended carriage) with a six-sided Ieichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.250/5)
shield replaced the Sd.Kfz.222 turret, and a 7.92 mm with Fu 12 radio sets to provide long range communi
M.G.42 was mounted in place of the M.G.34. cation while accompanying the Ieichter Schuetzen
The crew of three manning the vehicle panzerwagen (2 em) (Sd.Kfz.250/9), which had only a
consisted of a commander, gunner, and driver. short range Fu.Spr.Ger.f radio set. One Sd.Kfz.250/5
Communication equipment included a short range was assigned to the any headquarters section.
Fu.Spr.Ger.f sending and receiving radio set and a Two Sd.Kfz.250/5 four Sd.Kfz.250/9 were
Bordsprechgeraet (intercom set). assigned to each of the platoons. A Spaehtrupp
Three Versuchsstueck (trial vehicles), planned (reconnaissance was to be made up of two
to be available on 13 May 1942, were sent to the East- Sd.Kfz.250/9 accumpaia•~u by a Sd.Kfz.250/5.
CICOPYRIGHT HILARY LOUIS DOYLE 1980
11-52