SdKfz 250 252 253 german light armoured halftrack

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Schutzenpanzer SdKfz 250 and 251 of 24. Panzer Division, Eastern Front South 1942

SdKfz 250/3 and SdKfz 251 of Afrika Korps

Sd.Kfz. 250/9 leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (2 cm)

SdKfz 250/9 2

SdKfz 250 of the Afrika Korps. Crew doing some track maintenance

SdKfz 250 of the 10. Panzer Division 1942/43

SdKfz 250 with a frontal MG 34

leichter gepanzerter Munitionstransportwagen SdKfz 252, Panzer IV and II of the Afrika Korps

Sd.Kfz. 251 of the 9 Panzer Division 1941

A German half-track SdKfz 250 destroyed in Houffalize, Belgium 1945

17th Airborne Division Paratroopers with SdKfz 252, 24 March 1945

Mud-covered SdKfz 250

SdKfz 250 and Waffen-SS Panzer Grenadier Kharkov 1943

SdKfz 250 and Waffen-SS Panzer Grenadier in Kharkov 1943

leichter Schutzenpanzerwagen SdKfz 250 2

SdKfz 250/9 leichter Schützenpanzerwagen and Panzer II eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 250 and SdKfz 251 armoured halftracks eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 250/3 and SdKfz 251 armoured halftracks eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 250 and column of SdKfz 251 eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 250/3 eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 253 side view eastern front 1941.jpg

Sd Kfz 250 maintenance 1942

eastern front leichter Schutzenpanzer SdKfz 250 number 102 1944

SdKfz 250/3 Ausführung A “alt” equipped with radio equipment

SdKfz 250 neu light armoured halftracks Balkans 1943

Sdkfz 253 leichter Gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen

SdKfz 253 driver eastern front 1941

SdKfz 253 eastern front 1941 Operation Barbarossa

SdKfz 250 ausf B neu Balkans 1943

Sd.Kfz. 251/10 Eastern Front South 1942

armoured radio vehicle SdKfz 250/3 eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 253 eastern front 1941

camouflaged Schutzenpanzer 1941 eastern front

SdKfz 250 neu on road Balkans 1943

SdKfz 250/3 Ausf A

SdKfz 250 neu and Schwimmwagen Italy 1944

SdKfz 250 Ausf A in mud

Sd.Kfz. 250 neu Schutzenpanzer eastern front 1944

German light observation vehicle Sdkfz 253 in action

SdKfz 250/3 Ausf A eastern front south 1942

leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (3.7 cm PaK) SdKfz 250/10 Italy

Sd Kfz 250 maintenance 1941

Camouflaged SdKfz 250 and SdKfz 251 Italy near Nettuno 1944

German armoured personnel carrier Sdkfz 250/3 in action

German Army SdKfz 250 Ausf A halftrack vehicle

SdKfz 250 neu, armoured personnel carrier – Balkans 1943

SdKfz 250 neu Balkans 1943 4

light armoured halftrack SdKfz 250 Ausf A

leichter Funkpanzerwagen SdKfz 250/3 eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 250 alt eastern front south 1942 3

SdKfz 250 neu rear view Balkans 1943

Sd.Kfz. 250 1 alt Schutzenpanzer Bulgaria 1941

SdKfz 253 interior eastern front 1941

SdKfz 250 eastern front south 1942 2

Column of SdKfz 250 and 251 eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 250 Ausf A eastern front south 1942

SdKfz 250 german light armoured halftrack

Rommel’s SdKfz 250/3 Greif halftrack

SdKfz 253 leichter gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen

SdKfz 253 stripe camo

Sd.Kfz. 253 leichter Gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen

SdKfz 253 Leichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen

Column of Sturmgeschutz III and SdKfz 250 Ostfront

SdKfz 250 leading a column of Sturmgeschutz III – Ostfront

damaged SdKfz 250/10

German light armoured halftrack SdKfz 250

leichter Funkpanzerwagen SdKfz 250/3 – command variant equipped with radio equipment

Light armoured halftrack Sdkfz 253 alt photo

Leichter Schutzenpanzerwagen Sdkfz 250

Leichter Schutzenpanzerwagen (3,7cm Pak) SdKfz 250/10 Neu

SdKfz 250 Neu photo

SdKfz 250/9 Ausf A – reconnaissance halftrack

SdKfz 250/9 with 2 cm KwK 38

SdKfz 250 alt german halftrack

Sd kfz 250/3 leichter Funkpanzerwagen winter camo

SdKfz 251/9 Ausf C halftracks with 75mm gun

SdKfz 250 transport

Burning Sdkfz 250 Ausf B France 1944

leichter Schützenpanzerwagen SdKfz 250 alt halftrack

SdKfz 250 Afrika Korps DAK

SdKfz 250 GREIF Erwin Rommel command vehicle

SdKfz 250/3 GREIF Erwin Rommel command vehicle

Sdkfz 250/7 (s.Gr.W.) Schutzenpanzer mit 8cm Granatwerfer

Sdkfz 250/7 Schutzenpanzer mit 8cm Granatwerfer

SdKfz 250 crane

SdKfz 253 halftrack – armoured observation vehicle

Armored halftrack SdKfz 250 alt named Nero

SdKfz 250 alt halftrack named Nero

Halftrack SdKfz 250 “alt” during campaign in Russia

Sdkfz 253 alt – armored observation vehicle

SdKfz 250 ausf B (neu) halftracks

SdKfz 250/3 leichter Funkpanzerwagen – armoured radio vehicle a

SdKfz 250/3 leichter Funkpanzerwagen – armoured radio vehicle of 24th Panzer Division

SdKfz 250 code C22 rear view

Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz. 250 (D7p, Gerät 89, le SPW alte/neu) was a light armoured halftrack, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251. Designer: Demag.
In 1939, after successful trials of the Sd.Kfz. 251, Wehrmacht indicated their requirement of a similar vehicle capable of transporting a half platoon. New SdKfz 250 was based on Sd Kfz 10 halftrack. Production series was not started until June 1941. The armored chassis of the Sd Kfz 250 was complex in shape and required considerable manhours for production. In 1943, it was decided to simplify the body so that as many flat armor plates as possible could be used (at the same time the name was changed to Sd Kfz 250 Neu).
Production: ~ 6628 halftracks.

Variants:

Sd.Kfz. 250/1 – Gerat 891, leichter Schützenpanzerwagen. Main version – standard troop carrier. Weight: 5380kg, height: 1980 mm, crew: 2+4, armament: 2xMG34 (2010 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/2 – Gerat 892, leichter Fernsprechpanzerwagen. Cable-laying vehicle. Weight: 5440kg, crew: 4. armament: 1xMG34.
Sd.Kfz. 250/3 – Gerat 893, leichter Funkpanzerwagen. Command halftrack, equipped with FuG 12, 7, 8, 5, 18 radio equipment.Weight: 5350kg, crew: 4, armament: 1 x MG34.
Sd.Kfz. 250/4 – Gerat 894, leichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen. Observation vehicle equipped with FuG 15, 16. Weight: 5700kg, crew: 4, armament: 1 x MG34 or 42.
Sd.Kfz. 250/5 – Gerat 895, leichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen. Armored observation post equipped with FuG 4 and 8 (later FuG 12). Weight: 5350kg, crew: 4, armament: 1xMG34/42.
Sd.Kfz. 250/6 – Gerat 896, leichter Munitionspanzerwagen ausf A für Sturmgeschütz 7.5cm Kanone (Kurz) Ausf A bis E. Ammunition carrier (70 rounds for early StuG) with trailer. Weight: 5950kg, crew: 2, armament: 1xMG34 (1100 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/6 – leichter Munitionspanzerwagen Ausf B für Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf F und G. Ammunition carrier (60 rounds for StuG 40). Weight: 6090kg, crew: 2, armament: 1 x MG34 or 42 (1100 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/7 – Gerat 897, leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (schwerer Granatwerfer). 81 mm Mortar. Weight: 5610 kg, height: 1800 mm, crew: 5. Armament: GrW 34 (42 rounds), 1 x MG34 or 42 (1100 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/7 – leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Munitionsfahrzeug). Ammunition carrier (66 rounds for 81 mm GrW 34). Weight: 5380 kg, crew: 4. 2xMG34 (2010 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/8 – Gerat 898, leichter Schützenpanzerwagen mit 7.5 cm Kanone. Weight: 6300 kg, height: 2070 mm, crew: 3-4. Armament: 7,5 cm KwK37 L/24 or 7,5 cm K51(Sf) (20 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/9 – Gerat 883 leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (2 cm). Reconnaissance halftrack. Weight: 6020 kg, height: 2160 mm, crew:3. Armament: 20 mm KwK 38 (100 rounds, ), 1xMG34/42 (1100 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/10 – Gerat 881, 3,7 cm PaK 35/36 auf le SPW. Antitank support. Weight: 5670 kg, height: 1970 mm, crew: 4. Armament: 37 mm PaK 35/36 (216 rounds), 1xMG34 (1100 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/11 – Gerat 882, leichter Schützenpanzerwagen, 2,8 cm SPzB auf le SPW. Antitank support. Weight: 5530 kg, height: 2130 mm, crew: 6. Armament: 28 mm sPzB 41 (168 rounds), 1 x MG34 or 42 (1100 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 250/12 – Gerat 899, leichter Messtruppanzerwagen. Survey and range spotting vehicle for artillery. Weight: 5800 kg, crew: 3/5. Armament: 1xMG34/42 (1100 rounds).
Sd.Kfz. 252 – leichter gepanzerter Munitionskraftwagen. Armored ammunition carrier with trailer. Weight: 5730 kg, height: 1800 mm, crew: 2. Armament: 1 x MG34 (1100 rounds). Production: 413.
Sd.Kfz. 253 – leichter gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen. Armored observation post. Weight: 5700 kg, height: 1800 mm, crew: 4. Armament: 1 x MG34. Production: 285.

Bibliography:

German Half-Tracks of World War Two – Frank V. De Sisto, Concord Armor At War 7054
Kfz. 252, 253 & Early 250 Archive 1 – Martin Kogal, Total Detail 03
Panzerbeobachtungswagen (Armored Observation Vehicles). Sd. Kfz. 253 to Pz. Beob. Wg. Panther – Thomas L. Jentz, Panzer Tracts No. 11-1
German Light Reconnaissance Vehicles – Horst Scheibert, Schiffer Publishing 1994
Kfz.250 – Militar’s Kits Hors Serie 1
Sd Kfz 250/1 Alt “GD” Living History – Total Detail 1
Sd Kfz 250 Vol.I – Wydawnictwo Militaria 173
Sd Kfz 250 Vol.II – Wydawnictwo Militaria 231
German Armoured Cars and Reconnaissance Half Tracks, 1939-45 – Bryan Perrett, Bruce Culver, Osprey Publishing Vanguard 25
Halbkettenfahrzeuge: German Half-track Vehicles 1939-1945 – J. Williamson, Almark Publishing, Wehrmacht illustrated No.4
German Armoured Cars and Reconnaissance Half-Tracks 1939-45 – Osprey New Vanguard 29
Die Halbkettenfahrzeuge des Deutschen Heeres 1909 – 1945 – Walter J. Spielberger, Motorbuch Verlag 1993
German Halftracks At War 1939-1945 (Images of War) – Paul Thomas, Pen and Sword Military 2012