Leichter Panzerspähwagen file photo [7367]

Leichter Panzerspähwagen

CountryGermany
ManufacturerEisenwerk Weserhütte, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Primary RoleArmored Car

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Leichter Panzerspähwagen, or roughly "Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicles", were lightly-armored 4x4 vehicles developed in 1935 by the firm Eisenwerk Weserhütte. The chassis were built by Auto Union in Zwickau and assembled by F. Schichau of Elbing, Poland and Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen in Hanover, Germany. They were used by reconnaissance battalions of armored divisions in the German Army during WW2, largely for use for areas where road networks were extensive, as these wheeled vehicles did not perform well off-road. The SdKfz. 221 variant design was the base model, equipped with a single 7.92-mm MG34 machine gun. The SdKfz. 222 variant design which received a 20-mm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon or 28-mm armor-piercing cannon in addition to the MG34 machine gun. The SdKfz. 223 variant design was developed as a radio car which had a large antenna over the roof of the vehicle.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Feb 2009

SPECIFICATIONS

SdKfz. 221
MachineryHorch 3500cc gasoline engine rated at 90hp
Armament1x7.92mm MG34 machine gun
Armor5-8mm, later 14.5mm maximum
Crew2
Speed40 km/h off-road; 80 km/h on-road
Range300 km

SdKfz. 222
MachineryHorch 3500cc gasoline engine rated at 90hp
Armament1x7.92mm MG34 machine gun, 1x2cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon or 1x28mm armor-piercing cannon
Armor5-8mm, later 14.5mm maximum
Crew3
Speed40 km/h off-road; 80 km/h on-road
Range300 km

SdKfz. 223
MachineryHorch 3500cc gasoline engine rated at 90hp
Armament1x7.92mm MG34 machine gun, radio equipment and roof-top antenna
Armor5-8mm
Crew2
Speed40 km/h off-road; 80 km/h on-road
Range300 km

Photographs

SdKfz. 222 light armored cars of the Chinese 88th Division, China, circa late 1930sChinese troops aboard a German-made SdKfz. 221 armored car with a MG 35 machine gun and an anti-tank gun, China, circa late 1930sGerman-built SdKfz. 222 light armored car serving with the Chinese 200th Division, China, circa late 1930sGerman Army SdKfz. 221 armored car crossing from Passau, Germany into Schärding, Austria, 13 Mar 1938
See all 9 photographs of Leichter Panzerspähwagen Armored Car



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Leichter Panzerspähwagen Armored Car Photo Gallery
SdKfz. 222 light armored cars of the Chinese 88th Division, China, circa late 1930s
See all 9 photographs of Leichter Panzerspähwagen Armored Car


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