Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Fu) Sd. Kfz 232 (8-rad)

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Fu) Sd.Kfz 232 (8-rad) was a radio car based on the Schwerer Panzerspahwagen  Sd. Kfz 231 (8-rad).

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen  Sd. Kfz 231 (8-rad) had been designed to replace the disappointing six wheeled Schwerer Panzerspahwagen  Sd. Kfz 231 (6-rad), and unlike the earlier vehicle had been designed from the ground up as an armoured car. It used a new eight wheel chassis with steering, power and independent suspension for all eight wheels. It had sloped armour designed to be proof against 7.92mm armour piercing rounds from machine guns and rifles. It was armed with a 20mm cannon and 7.92mm machine gun in the fully traversing turret.

Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (FU) Sd.Kfz 232 (8.rad)

The Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Fu) Sd. Kfz 232 (8-rad) was almost identical to the Sd. Kfz 231 (8-rad), with the same chassis, armour and turret. However it was given a large frame aerial, which was connected to a Fu 11 SE 100 radio set. This had a voice range of 70km when the vehicle was stationary. 

The Sd. Kfz 232 (8-rad) was officially accepted for service with the Germany army in March 1937, when it was officially designated as the schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Fu) (Sd. Kfz.234). However in service it was almost always referred to as the Sd. Kfz 232, and in September 1940 that was made official. From then on it was officially designated as the Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Fu) Sd. Kfz 232 (8-rad), abbreviated to s.Pz.Sp.Wg.(Fu)(Sd.Fkz.232) (8 rad)

A total of 604 of both types were built between 1937 and 1943. 23 were built in 1937, 50 in 1938, 53 in 1939, 30 in 1940, 94 in 1941, 154 in 1942 and 200 in 1943.

Of these about half of the vehicles produced before September 1940 were built as the Sd. Kfz 232 (8-rad) – 60 vehicles at most. Between November 1940 and April 1942 108 of the 146 vehicles built were completed as the radio car. After April 1942 all of the remaining vehicles were built as the Sd. Kfz 232 (Fu) (8-rad), as it could easily be converted into the non-radio version by removing the antenna and radio. The radio car was thus the most numerous version of the vehicle, a total of around 500 vehicles. 

The Sd.Kfz 232 (8-rad) was normally issued to the same reconnaissance units as the standard Sd.Kfz 231 (8-rad), and were to communicate with their units. They saw service throughout the Second World War, fighting on every front, from Poland in 1939 to the final battles of 1945. 

Stats
Production:
Hull Length: 5850mm
Hull Width: 2200mm
Height: 2900m (including aerial)
Crew: 4
Weight: 8800kg
Engine: 180hp Bussing-NAG L 8 V-GS V-8 petrol engine
Max Speed: 90km/ hr
Max Range: 300km (road), 160km (terrain)
Armament: One 2cm KwK 30/38 L/55 and one 7.92mm MG 34
Armour: 5-30mm

Armour

Panzer Reconnaissance, Thomas Anderson. Combines descriptions of the various vehicles used by the reconnaissance units (bikes, armoured cars, half tracks and fully tracked) with a history of the reconnaissance units themselves, their official orders of battle, and how they actually performed in action. Gives a much broader picture of the role of these vehicles than books that focus more on the vehicles, and makes it clear that in reality units used whatever vehicles were available, rather than the neat orders of battle (Read Full Review)

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