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Half-track From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sd.Kfz. 6 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug[lower-alpha 1] 6) was a half-track military vehicle used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was designed to be used as the main towing vehicle for the 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer.
Sd.Kfz. 6 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 6) | |
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![]() Sd.Kfz. 6/1 towing 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer, Poland, 1939 | |
Type | Half-track |
Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1939–1945 |
Production history | |
Designer | Büssing-NAG |
Designed | 1934–1939 |
Manufacturer | Büssing-NAG, Daimler-Benz, Praga |
Unit cost | 30,000 ℛ︁ℳ︁ |
Produced | 1939–1944 |
No. built | 3,500 |
Specifications (Sd.Kfz 6/1[1]) | |
Mass | 8,500 kg (18,700 lb) |
Length | 6.325 m (20 ft 9.0 in) |
Width | 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) |
Height | 2.48 m (8 ft 2 in) |
Crew | 12 - 15 |
Engine | Maybach HL54 115 hp (86 kW) |
Power/weight | 12.8 hp/tonne |
Suspension | torsion bar suspension |
Ground clearance | 40 cm (16 in) |
Operational range | 316 km (196 mi) (road) 158 km (98 mi) (off-road) |
Maximum speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) (road) |
Development of a new medium artillery tractor began in 1934 at Büssing-NAG, in Berlin. The vehicle, produced in around 750 units until 1942, could carry up to 11 men in three rows, covered by a canvas structure. As well as a tractor for the 10.5 leFH 18 howitzer, the vehicle was to be used to tow heavy equipment for engineer units. Production was carried out by both Büssing-NAG and Daimler-Benz.[1][2]
The engine used gave 90–115 hp (67–86 kW), depending on the production version. Sd.Kfz. 6 was used by the various German military forces (Army, Waffen-SS, Luftwaffe) for the entire war.[1][2]