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Line 61: Chassis were built by ] (]) in ] and assembled by ] of ] and ] in ]-Linden.   The rear-mounted ] engine was a 3.5 Litre Horch ] (3.5 Litre:with {{convert|75|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} (Ausf. A chassis); from 19391942 on 3.8 Litre -with {{convert|90|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} Ausf. B chassis), giving it a road speed of {{convert|80|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and a cross-country speed of {{convert|40|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. It had a maximum range of {{convert|300|km|0|abbr=on}}.   Used by the reconnaissance battalions (''Aufklärungs-Abteilung'') of the ]s, the type performed well enough in countries with good road networks, like those in Western Europe. However, on the ] and in ], this class of vehicle was hampered by its relatively poor off-road performance. In those theaters, it gradually found itself replaced in the reconnaissance role by the ] half-track. The Sdkfz 250/9 was the Sdkfz 250 with the same turret as the Sdfkz Sd.&nbsp;Kfz&nbsp;222.   The Sdkfz Sd.&nbsp;Kfz.&nbsp;222 was examined by Soviet designers before they created the similar ] light armoured car.   Front and sides were made of {{convert|8|mm|1|abbr=on}} ]; thinner {{convert|5|mm|1|abbr=on}} plates protected the top, rear, and bottom. Cast vision ports later replaced ports cut into the armour. The open-topped ] was fitted with wire mesh anti-] screens. Starting in 1939 the front armour was increased to {{convert|14.5|mm|1|abbr=on}}.   ==Variants==   ;SdKfzSd. Kfz. 221 Base model and first production series of light armoured car built on a standardized chassis for military use. The Sdkfz. 221 was armed with a single ] ] ] (from 1938 a ]), manned by a two man crew, and had 4-wheel drive. ArmourProduction protectionran wasfrom originally1935 8&nbsp;mmto thick,1940 butwith increaseda toMinimum 14of 339 vehicles produced for the Heer. Some Sd.5&nbsp;mmKfz&nbsp;221 laterwere rearmed with a ] "heavy anti-tank rifle" in productiona modified turret. It's full name was ''Leichter&nbsp;Panzerspähwagen&nbsp;(M.G.)''.   ;Sd. Kfz. 222 ;SdKfz 221 ''mit 2.8cm'': This version of the vehicle was armed with a ] ] and a 7.92&nbsp;mm MG&nbsp;13 ]. Crew increased to three by the addition of a gunner, relieving the commander of that task. In 1938 the MG 13 was replaced by a ], in 1942 the KwK 30 was replaced by the faster firing KwK 38 of the same calibre. Starting in 1942 the Ausf.&nbsp;B chassis with a more powerful engine and 30&nbsp;mm of frontal armour was used. Production ran from 1937 to late 1943 with a Minimum of 990 vehicles produced from the Heer. It's full name was ''Leichter&nbsp;Panzerspähwagen&nbsp;(2&nbsp;cm)'' Armed with a ] "heavy anti-tank rifle" in a modified turret.   ;SdKfzSd. 222 Kfz. 223 An armored car like the 221 but with a medium range Radio set and a raisable frame antenna. It was originally armed with a 7.92&nbsp;mm MG&nbsp;13 machine gun but in 1938 this was changed to a ]. Crew increased to three by the addition of a radio operator. Starting in 1942 the Ausf.&nbsp;B chassis with a more powerful engine and 30&nbsp;mm of frontal armour was used. Production ran from 1936 to January 1944 with a Minimum of 567 vehicles produced from the Heer. It's full name was ''Leichter&nbsp;Panzerspähwagen&nbsp;(Fu)''. This version of the vehicle was armed with a ] ] and a 7.92&nbsp;mm MG34 ]. Crew increased to three by the addition of a gunner, relieving the commander of that task.   ;SdKfz. 223 ''Kleiner Panzerfunkwagen'' Sd. Kfz 260/261 Unarmed ] car versions with long range radio equipment and a large raisable "bed-frame" antenna over the vehicle. Generally used for signals use, three were used as armoured cars in Finland.<ref>''Panzers in Finland'', Kari Kuusela, 2000</ref>. The Sd.&nbsp;Kfz&nbsp;260 was equipped with radio sets to communicate with aircraft, the Sd.&nbsp;Kfz&nbsp;260 with radio sets to communicate with other Heer units. By September 1, 1940 the manufacturers had orders for 36Sd.&nbsp;Kfz&nbsp;260 and 289 Sd.&nbsp;Kfz&nbsp;261,Production ran from April 1941 to April 1943 with 483 vehicles of both types produced. Starting in 1942 the Ausf.&nbsp;B chassis with a more powerful engine and 30&nbsp;mm of frontal armour was used. A ] car version, armed like the 221 with a 7.92&nbsp;mm MG34 machine gun. Included additional radio equipment, and had a large "bed-frame" antenna over the vehicle. Over 500 of the SdKfz 223 were produced.   ;''Kleiner Panzerfunkwage''n SdKfz 260   ;''Kleiner Panzerfunkwagen'' SdKfz 261 An unarmed ] car version. Included additional radio equipment, and had a large "bed-frame" antenna over the vehicle. Generally used for signals use, three were used as armoured cars in Finland.<ref>''Panzers in Finland'', Kari Kuusela, 2000</ref>   ==User==

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Armored car
Leichter Panzerspähwagen
British soldiers inspect a captured SdKfz 222, North Africa, 1941
TypeArmored car
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
Used byNazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerEisenwerk Weserhütte
ManufacturerAuto Union, F. Schichau
Produced1935 - 1944
Specifications
Mass4,000 kg
Length4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Width1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Height1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Crew4
Armor5 - 14.5 mm
Main
armament		1 × Maschinengewehr 34 (for Sd.Kfz 221)
1 × 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon (for Sd.Kfz 222)
Secondary
armament		1 × Maschinengewehr 34 (for Sd.Kfz 222)
EngineHorch 3.8 V8 petrol
90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)
Suspension4x4
Operational
range		300 km (186 mi)
Maximum speed road: 80 km (50 mi)
cross-country: 40 km (25 mi)
SdKfz. 222 in private collection.

The Leichter Panzerspähwagen (German: roughly "light armoured reconnaissance vehicle") were a series of light four-wheel drive armoured cars produced by Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1944.

They were developed by Eisenwerk Weserhütte of Bad Oeynhausen by using the chassis of type Horch 108 standard heavy off-road car with an angled armoured body and turret.

Chassis were built by Horch (Auto Union) in Zwickau and assembled by F. Schichau of Elbing and Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen in Hanover-Linden.

The rear-mounted petrol engine was a 3.5 Litre Horch V8 with 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) (Ausf. A chassis); from 1942 on 3.8 Litre with 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) Ausf. B chassis), giving it a road speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). It had a maximum range of 300 km (186 mi).

Used by the reconnaissance battalions (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) of the Panzer divisions, the type performed well enough in countries with good road networks, like those in Western Europe. However, on the Eastern Front and in North Africa, this class of vehicle was hampered by its relatively poor off-road performance. In those theaters, it gradually found itself replaced in the reconnaissance role by the Sdkfz 250 half-track. The Sdkfz 250/9 was the Sdkfz 250 with the same turret as the Sd. Kfz 222.

The Sd. Kfz. 222 was examined by Soviet designers before they created the similar BA-64 light armoured car.

Front and sides were made of 8 mm (0.3 in) RHA; thinner 5 mm (0.2 in) plates protected the top, rear, and bottom. Cast vision ports later replaced ports cut into the armour. The open-topped turret was fitted with wire mesh anti-grenade screens. Starting in 1939 the front armour was increased to 14.5 mm (0.6 in).

Variants

Sd. Kfz. 221

Base model and first production series of light armoured car built on a standardized chassis for military use. The Sdkfz. 221 was armed with a single 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 13 machine gun (from 1938 a Maschinengewehr 34), manned by a two man crew, and had 4-wheel drive. Production ran from 1935 to 1940 with a Minimum of 339 vehicles produced for the Heer. Some Sd. Kfz 221 were rearmed with a 2.8 cm sPzB 41 "heavy anti-tank rifle" in a modified turret. It's full name was Leichter Panzerspähwagen (M.G.).

Sd. Kfz. 222

This version of the vehicle was armed with a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon and a 7.92 mm MG 13 machine gun. Crew increased to three by the addition of a gunner, relieving the commander of that task. In 1938 the MG 13 was replaced by a Maschinengewehr 34, in 1942 the KwK 30 was replaced by the faster firing KwK 38 of the same calibre. Starting in 1942 the Ausf. B chassis with a more powerful engine and 30 mm of frontal armour was used. Production ran from 1937 to late 1943 with a Minimum of 990 vehicles produced from the Heer. It's full name was Leichter Panzerspähwagen (2 cm)

Sd. Kfz. 223

An armored car like the 221 but with a medium range Radio set and a raisable frame antenna. It was originally armed with a 7.92 mm MG 13 machine gun but in 1938 this was changed to a Maschinengewehr 34. Crew increased to three by the addition of a radio operator. Starting in 1942 the Ausf. B chassis with a more powerful engine and 30 mm of frontal armour was used. Production ran from 1936 to January 1944 with a Minimum of 567 vehicles produced from the Heer. It's full name was Leichter Panzerspähwagen (Fu).

Kleiner Panzerfunkwagen Sd. Kfz 260/261

Unarmed radio car versions with long range radio equipment and a large raisable "bed-frame" antenna over the vehicle. Generally used for signals use, three were used as armoured cars in Finland.. The Sd. Kfz 260 was equipped with radio sets to communicate with aircraft, the Sd. Kfz 260 with radio sets to communicate with other Heer units. By September 1, 1940 the manufacturers had orders for 36Sd. Kfz 260 and 289 Sd. Kfz 261,Production ran from April 1941 to April 1943 with 483 vehicles of both types produced. Starting in 1942 the Ausf. B chassis with a more powerful engine and 30 mm of frontal armour was used.

User

Notes and references

  1. Panzers in Finland, Kari Kuusela, 2000

External links

German armoured fighting vehicles of World War II
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Tank destroyers
(Panzerjäger, Jagdpanzer)
Half-tracks
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anti-aircraft guns
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German armored fighting vehicle production during World War II
Kingdom of Romania Romanian armored fighting vehicles of World War II
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