Sd.Kfz. 234/3

The Sd.Kfz. 234/3, was a German armored car used during World War II. It was part of the Sd.Kfz. 234 series, which included several variants designed for reconnaissance and other specialized roles.

Development and Design

• Origins: The Sd.Kfz. 234 series was developed to replace the earlier Sd.Kfz. 231 (8-Rad) series. Work on the 234 series began in 1940, with the goal of creating a more versatile and capable armored car for reconnaissance purposes.
• Manufacturers: The primary manufacturers involved in the production were Büssing-NAG, responsible for the chassis, and Daimler-Benz, which provided the engines. The turret and armament were produced by the company Rheinmetall-Borsig.
  (Well, maybe not about sd kfz 234.3 variant)

Technical Specifications

• Chassis and Suspension:
  
  
  
  • The Sd.Kfz. 234/3 featured an all-wheel-drive (8x8) configuration, providing excellent off-road capability.
  
  
  • It had a central tire inflation system, allowing the crew to adjust tire pressure according to the terrain.
  
  
• Engine:
  
  
  
  • Powered by a Tatra 103 air-cooled V12 diesel engine, producing around 210 horsepower.
  
  
  • The vehicle could reach speeds of up to 90 km/h (56 mph) on roads and had a range of approximately 800 kilometers (497 miles).
  
  
• Dimensions:
  
  
  
  • Length: 6.02 meters (19.75 feet)
  
  
  • Width: 2.36 meters (7.74 feet)
  
  
  • Height: 2.10 meters (6.89 feet)
  
  
  • Weight: Approximately 11.74 tons (25,870 lbs)
  
  
• Armor:
  
  
  
  • The armor thickness ranged from 8 mm to 30 mm, offering protection against small arms fire and shrapnel.
  
  

• Armament:

  • To increase the firepower of the Sd.Kfz.234, the Sd.Kfz.234/3 installed a short-barrelled 75 mm KwK37 - the same as that used on early models of the Pz.IV tank - on the open chassis, replacing the turret of previous models. From June to December 1944, a total of 88 vehicles were built, and it was used for reconnaissance and as infantry support during large offensive operations.

  • Secondary armament included a coaxial 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun.

Crew and Operations

• Crew Composition:
  
  
  
  • The vehicle was operated by a crew of four: a commander, gunner, driver, and radio operator.(who is loader? I really want to know)
  
  

The actual battle scene

• Deployment:

  • The Sd.Kfz. 234/3saw service from late 1943 until the end of the war in 1945.

• *Combat Performance:

  • The sd kfz 234.3 was well-regarded for its excellent off-road capabilities and effective armament.
• Legacy:
  
  
  
  • Despite its effectiveness, production numbers were limited due to the complexity and cost of the vehicle.
  
  

Controls

AG 1-4 : Toolbox
AG 5 : Driver's windows
AG 6 : Headlights
AG 8 : Engine air intake on/off

Links

Puma

Pakwagen

sd kfz 234/1 (coming soon)