SdKfz 247 (6-Rad / 4-Rad)

Battlefield Command Car / Light Armored Vehicle

Nazi Germany | 1937

"The SdKfz 247 was in service throughout all of World War 2 but total production was limited to fewer than 70 vehicles."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/13/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The battlefields of World War 2 (1939-1945) were vast and complicated, eventually requiring specialized vehicles to accomplish specialized tasks. Such was the case with the Germany Army which commissioned Krupp to developed a new heavy-class armored command car for use by reconnaissance staff. The SdKfz 247 entered service in 1937 and persevered in the conflict even when the fortunes of war changed for the worse for Germany. In the end, just sixty-eight of the type were completed but these saw service into 1945.

The SdKfz 247 appeared in two major production forms - the first built under the Krupp brand label (Ausf. A models) and the second by Daimler-Benz (Ausf. B models). Krupp devised the armored car around the purpose-built L2H143 chassis which carried the Krupp M305 4-cylinder powerplant of 65 horsepower driving the six-wheeled arrangement ("6-Rad"). The engine was fitted to a forward compartment in the traditional automobile-style manner. While armored, the car was only sufficiently protected against small arms fire and artillery spray (protection reached 6mm to 8mm thickness) from the front and sides - it had an open-topped design for the crew of six (to include one driver). Additionally, no self-defense armament was installed on the car leaving the occupants to engage potential threats through only personal weapons carried into combat. Production began in 1937 and lasted until 1938 to which just 10 x SdKfz 247 Ausf. A vehicles were completed to the standard.

In 1938, the German Army returned with an order for fifty-eight more vehicles. The same SdKfz 247 designator was used but these vehicles emerged from Daimler-Benz as four-wheeled designs based on the Horch Einheitsfahrgestall II (Uniform Chassis) chassis - and were known as "SdKfz 247 Ausf. B". Steering power was only given to the front wheel set despite the car being of four-wheeled makeup. Power was from a Horch Model 801 V8 liquid-cooled engine developing 81 horsepower. Production of this four-wheeled form - or "4-Rad" - began in July of 1941 and ended in 1942.

By the time the vehicles became available in useful numbers, their original purpose in the war no longer existed. It was also found that the 6-rad, despite its three axles, was a poor off-road performer. The 4-rad performed slightly better but its lack of armament severely limited its ability to fend off attackers. Without a steerable rear axle, the 4-rad was restricted in its maneuverability and escape capabilities. Rather interestingly, neither production model was not fitted with communication gear of any kind which further reduced its tactical and strategic value on the fluid battlefields of World War 2. In the end, the line served primarily as transport vehicles and were attached to German Army battlefield HQs.

The 6-rad exhibited a length of 5.2 meters, a width of 1.96 meters and a height of 1.7 meters. Weight was 5.2 tons. Maximum speed reached 43.4mph with operational ranges out to 217 miles (220 miles cross-country).

The 4-rad was given an overall length of 5 meters with a width of 2 meters and a height of 1.8 meters. Weight was 4.46 tons. Maximum road speed was 49.6mph with a road range out to 249 miles (167 miles cross-country).

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the SdKfz 247 Ausf. A (6-Rad) Battlefield Command Car / Light Armored Vehicle.

1 x Krupp M305 4-cylinder engine developing 65 horsepower at 2,500rpm.
Installed Power

43 mph
70 kph
Road Speed

217 miles
350 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the SdKfz 247 Ausf. A (6-Rad) Battlefield Command Car / Light Armored Vehicle.

6
(MANNED)
Crew

17.1 ft
5.2 meters
O/A Length

6.4 ft
1.96 meters
O/A Width

5.6 ft
1.7 meters
O/A Height

10,395 lb
4,715 kg | 5.2 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the SdKfz 247 (6-Rad / 4-Rad) Battlefield Command Car / Light Armored Vehicle.

None, save for any personal weapons carried by the crew.

AMMUNITION:
Not Applicable.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the SdKfz 247 (6-Rad / 4-Rad) family line.

SdKfz 247 - Base Series Designation

SdKfz 247 Ausf. A (6-Rad) - Krupp production model; 6x6 wheeled arrangement; Krupp M305 4-cylinder engine; 10 examples produced.

SdKfz 247 Ausf. B (4-Rad) - Daimler-Benz poduction model; 4x4 wheeled arrangement; Horch Model 801 8-cylinder engine; 58 examples produced.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the SdKfz 247 (6-Rad / 4-Rad). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 68 Units
Contractor(s): Krupp / Daimler-Benz - Nazi Germany

[ Nazi Germany ]

1 / 2

Image from the Public Domain.

2 / 2

Image from the Public Domain.

❮ ❯

Going Further...
The SdKfz 247 (6-Rad / 4-Rad) Battlefield Command Car / Light Armored Vehicle appears in the following collections:

HOME

ARMOR INDEX

ARMOR BY COUNTRY

VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS

WWII VEHICLES & ARTILLERY

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)