Sd.Kfz. 250

Sd.Kfz. 250
Sd.Kfz. 250/2
TypeHalf-track armoured personnel carrier
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1941–1945
Used byNazi Germany
Kingdom of Romania
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerDemag
Designed1939–1940
ManufacturerDemag, Adlerwerke, Büssing-NAG, MWC
Unit cost20,420 ℛ︁ℳ︁
Produced1941–1945
No. builtApprox. 6,628
Variantssee list below
Specifications (Sd.Kfz. 250/1 Ausf. A)
MassLoad: 5,800 kg (12,800 lb)
Length4.56 m (15 ft 0 in)
Width1.945 m (6 ft 5 in)
Height1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Crew2 + 4

Armour5.5–14.5 mm (0.22–0.57 in)
Main
armament
1 or 2 x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 34 machine guns
EngineMaybach HL42 TRKM 6-cylinder, water-cooled petrol
100 PS (99 hp, 74 kW)
Power/weight17.2 hp/ton
Transmission7 + 3 speed Maybach VG 102128 H
SuspensionOverlapping torsion bar (track) Leaf spring (wheels)
Ground clearance28.5 cm (10 in)
Fuel capacity140 L (37 US gal)
Operational
range
Road: 300–320 km (190–200 mi)
Cross Country: 180–200 km (110–120 mi)
Maximum speed Road: 76 km/h (47 mph)

The Sd.Kfz. 250 (German: Sonderkraftfahrzeug 250; 'special motor vehicle') was a light armoured half-track, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251, and built by the DEMAG firm, for use by Nazi Germany in World War II. Most variants were open-topped and had a single access door in the rear.

The Sd. Kfz 250 was adopted in 1939 to supplement the standard half-track. Production delays meant that the first vehicle did not appear until mid-1941.[1]

  1. ^ Hogg, Ian V.; Weeks, John (1980). Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles. London: Hamlyn. p. 251.