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Germany - Armoured Cars |
SdKfz 234 Variants
The Sd.Kfz. 234 series were completely new designs, of a similar size and appearance to the Sd.Kfz. 232/3 series which they replaced. They were powered by a Tatra diesel. The most obvious external difference is the single-piece mudguards compared to the two-piece mudguards on the 232 series.
Sd.Kfz. 234/1 The Sd.Kfz. 234/1 was fitted with a 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 gun and coaxial 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 or MG 42 machine gun in a rotating six-sided open-topped turret. The open top was protected from grenades by a mesh-covered frame.
Sdkfz 234/1 (20mm in six-sided turret)
SdKfz 234/1 Hanglafette Turret (built)
SdKfz 234/1 A/A, 37mm (project)
Sd.Kfz. 234/2 "Puma" This version had a turret adapted from the cancelled VK1602 Leopard, mounting a 5 cm KwK 39/1 L/60, very similar to the weapon previously used on the later versions of the Panzerkampfwagen III. It weighed nearly 12 tons but was still capable of 85 km/h (53 mph). It was one of the most heavily armed armored cars available. However, engagement was strictly discouraged due to its thin armor, and also due to its intended role of reconnaissance. The armored car could be driven backwards by the radio operator in an emergency as well. Production started in 1943 but was stopped in the second half of 1944. The other three 234 variants were kept in production until the end of the war.
SdKfz 234/2 Flak 38, 20mm (project)
Sd.Kfz. 234/3 L/24, 75mm “Stummel” This version, like the Sd.Kfz. 233, carried the short 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun, in a raised open superstructure. The gun's low velocity made it armour-piercing round ineffective against most Allied tanks, but allowed the high explosive shell casing to be thinner and thus contain more explosive. The HEAT round for this weapon was, however, effective against vehicles.
Sdkfz 234/3 (75mm short barrel support vehicle)
SdKfz 234/4 Another variant of the 8 wheeler, but mounting a 7.5 cm PaK 40 L/46 anti-tank gun in an open compartment. This variant was similar to Marder tank destroyer series in that it was a weakly armored, open-topped antitank vehicle that could not engage enemy armor head to head, and it was a stop-gap measure.
SdKfz 234/4 AK7B, 75mm (project) 'Panzer Tracts 20-2,Aufklarungs-, Beobachtungs-, Und Flak-Panzer (Reconnaissance, Observation, and Anti-Aircraft).
A drawing of the Sd.Kfz 234/2 with the 'Aufkarerkanone 7 B 84
Others
SdKfz 234/- w/ Schweblefette 20mm (built)
SdKfz 234/- w/ “Luchs” turret (field modified)
Sdkfz 234 (no sub-version) (20mm on pedestal mount)
Sdkfz 232 NA (shorter version, four-wheeled) replacement for the Sdkfz 222 (hence the NA for Neu Art) but using 234 parts. 'leichter Panzerspähwagen für Tropen' or 'leichter Panzerspähwagen 4 Rad Tropen'. made by Bussing-NAG and I have seem it on video somewhere online. It is seen crossing a railroad track. AI will have to see if I can find it again for us all. "A new mount was designed for the 7.5cm Kanone L/48... to convert it into the 'Aufklarerkanone 7 B 84' for installation on the... Sd.Kfz 234. The casing for the 7.5cm Kw.K. 40 was shorter and fatter then the 7.5cm Pak 40, making it easier to handle and store in the confined spaces of an armoured vehicle. It could be traversed through an arc of 40o ( 20o left/right of centre); elevation was -8 to +16o. Of the four AK 7 B 84 produced, one was modified and test fired at Kummersdorf on 18th January 1945.
As announced on 20th February, development of this gun was to be completed in April 1945."
What If Options: Flak (Kugelblitz turret) , PAW AT-Gun , Fla-R (Fohn cannisters)
Sd.Kfz. 234/1 The Sd.Kfz. 234/1 was fitted with a 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 gun and coaxial 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 or MG 42 machine gun in a rotating six-sided open-topped turret. The open top was protected from grenades by a mesh-covered frame.
Sdkfz 234/1 (20mm in six-sided turret)
SdKfz 234/1 Hanglafette Turret (built)
SdKfz 234/1 A/A, 37mm (project)
Sd.Kfz. 234/2 "Puma" This version had a turret adapted from the cancelled VK1602 Leopard, mounting a 5 cm KwK 39/1 L/60, very similar to the weapon previously used on the later versions of the Panzerkampfwagen III. It weighed nearly 12 tons but was still capable of 85 km/h (53 mph). It was one of the most heavily armed armored cars available. However, engagement was strictly discouraged due to its thin armor, and also due to its intended role of reconnaissance. The armored car could be driven backwards by the radio operator in an emergency as well. Production started in 1943 but was stopped in the second half of 1944. The other three 234 variants were kept in production until the end of the war.
SdKfz 234/2 Flak 38, 20mm (project)
Sd.Kfz. 234/3 L/24, 75mm “Stummel” This version, like the Sd.Kfz. 233, carried the short 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun, in a raised open superstructure. The gun's low velocity made it armour-piercing round ineffective against most Allied tanks, but allowed the high explosive shell casing to be thinner and thus contain more explosive. The HEAT round for this weapon was, however, effective against vehicles.
Sdkfz 234/3 (75mm short barrel support vehicle)
SdKfz 234/4 Another variant of the 8 wheeler, but mounting a 7.5 cm PaK 40 L/46 anti-tank gun in an open compartment. This variant was similar to Marder tank destroyer series in that it was a weakly armored, open-topped antitank vehicle that could not engage enemy armor head to head, and it was a stop-gap measure.
SdKfz 234/4 AK7B, 75mm (project) 'Panzer Tracts 20-2,Aufklarungs-, Beobachtungs-, Und Flak-Panzer (Reconnaissance, Observation, and Anti-Aircraft).
A drawing of the Sd.Kfz 234/2 with the 'Aufkarerkanone 7 B 84
Others
SdKfz 234/- w/ Schweblefette 20mm (built)
SdKfz 234/- w/ “Luchs” turret (field modified)
Sdkfz 234 (no sub-version) (20mm on pedestal mount)
Sdkfz 232 NA (shorter version, four-wheeled) replacement for the Sdkfz 222 (hence the NA for Neu Art) but using 234 parts. 'leichter Panzerspähwagen für Tropen' or 'leichter Panzerspähwagen 4 Rad Tropen'. made by Bussing-NAG and I have seem it on video somewhere online. It is seen crossing a railroad track. AI will have to see if I can find it again for us all. "A new mount was designed for the 7.5cm Kanone L/48... to convert it into the 'Aufklarerkanone 7 B 84' for installation on the... Sd.Kfz 234. The casing for the 7.5cm Kw.K. 40 was shorter and fatter then the 7.5cm Pak 40, making it easier to handle and store in the confined spaces of an armoured vehicle. It could be traversed through an arc of 40o ( 20o left/right of centre); elevation was -8 to +16o. Of the four AK 7 B 84 produced, one was modified and test fired at Kummersdorf on 18th January 1945.
As announced on 20th February, development of this gun was to be completed in April 1945."
What If Options: Flak (Kugelblitz turret) , PAW AT-Gun , Fla-R (Fohn cannisters)