Sd.Kfz. 253

Summary

Sd.Kfz. 253 leichter Gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen was a German half-track observation vehicle that was used by artillery forward observers to accompany tank and mechanized infantry units. The vehicle belonged to the Sd.Kfz. 250 family. The appearance was similar to the Sd.Kfz. 250, but the Sd.Kfz. 253 variant was fully enclosed. Demag/Wegman manufactured 285 vehicles between 1940–1941.[1]

leichter Gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen Sd.Kfz. 253
Crossing a bridge in the Balkans, 1941
Typearmoured half-track
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
Used byGermany
Production history
ManufacturerDemag/Wegmann
Produced1940-1941
No. built285
Specifications
Length4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)
Width1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Crew4

Armor8-18 mm
Main
armament
7.92mm MG34 with 2,010 rounds
Engine6-cylinder Maybach HL42TRKM
100 hp (75 kW)
Maximum speed 65 km/h (40 mph)

References edit

  1. ^ "Leichte Gepanzerte Beobachtungskraftwagen Sd.Kfz.253". www.achtungpanzer.com. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  • "Leichte Gepanzerte Beobachtungskraftwagen Sd.Kfz.253" Archived 2013-11-04 at the Wayback Machine www.achtungpanzer.com. Retrieved 2016-10-12.