Sd.Kfz. 6

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Sd.Kfz. 6 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 6)
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-012-0012-05, Polen, Motorisierte deutsche Truppen.jpg
Sd.Kfz. 6/1 towing 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer, Poland, 1939
TypeHalf-track
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1939–1945
Production history
DesignerBüssing-NAG
Designed1934–1939
ManufacturerBüssing-NAG, Daimler-Benz, Praga
Unit cost30,000 RM
Produced1939–1944
No. built3,500
Specifications ([1])
Mass8,500 kg (18,700 lb)
Length6.325 m (20.75 ft)
Width2.2 m (7.2 ft)
Height2.48 m (8.1 ft)
Crew12/15
EngineMaybach HL54
115 hp (86 kW)
Power/weight12.8 hp/tonne
Suspensiontorsion bar suspension
Ground clearance40 cm (16 in)
Operational
range
316 km (196 mi) (road)
158 km (98 mi) (off-road)
Maximum speed 50 km/h (road)

The Sd.Kfz. 6 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 6) was a half-track military vehicle used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was designed to be used as the main towing vehicle for the 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer.

Development[]

Development of a new medium artillery tractor began in 1934 at Büssing-NAG, in Berlin. The vehicle, produced in around 750 units until 1942, could carry up to 11 men in three rows, covered by a canvas structure. As well as a tractor for the 10.5 leFH 18 howitzer, the vehicle was to be used to tow heavy equipment for engineer units. Production was carried out by both Büssing-NAG and Daimler-Benz.[1][2]

Description[]

The engine had a power from 90–115 hp (67–86 kW), depending from the production version. Sd.Kfz. 6 was used by the various German military forces (Wehrmacht, SS, Luftwaffe) for the entire World War II.[1][2]

Variants[]

  • Sd.Kfz. 6/1: Standard half-tracked vehicle, used for towing various artillery pieces and transporting anything up to fifteen people.[1][3]
  • 37 mm FlaK36 auf Fahrgestell Zugkraftwagen 5t (Sd.Kfz. 6/2): Sd.Kfz. 6 fitted with a 3.7 cm Flak 36 anti-aircraft gun, sides would fold down to allow space to work on. Crew of seven.[1][3]
  • 7.62 cm FK 296(r) Selbstfahrlafette auf Zugkraftwagen 5t (Sd.Kfz. 6/3). Sd.Kfz. 6 carrying a captured Soviet 76mm F-22 gun portee in an armoured superstructure.[1][3]

Sources[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Bishop, p. 78.
  2. ^ a b Lepage, Jean-Denis (2007). German Military Vehicles of World War II: An Illustrated Guide to Cars, Trucks, Half-Tracks, Motorcycles, Amphibious Vehicles and Others. McFarland. pp. 140–141. ISBN 978-0-7864-2898-4.
  3. ^ a b c Lepage, p. 146.

Bibliography[]

  • Bishop, Chris, ed. (1998). The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Aerospace Publishing.

External links[]

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