Germany's SdKfz 6 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 5T half tracks

Photos

76.2 mm FK36(r) auf Panzerjäger Selbstfahrlafette Zugkraftwagen 5t (SdKfz 6):

(Bundesarchiv, Koblenz)

Developed by Büssing-NAG in Berlin, the SdKfz 6 was to be a medium tractor for the 105 mm leFH 18 and to be used by engineer units.

Praga build the SdKfz 6 with longer track bogies and a Maybach HL54 engine.

It was expensive to produce so production was phased out in 1941 in favor of the sWS.

SdKfz 6: 737
- Production: ? - 1942, 1934 - 1942
  - 1940: 348
  - 1941: 360
  - 1942: 564
  - 1943: 563
  - 1944: 729
- Manufacturer:
  - Büssing-NAG: 1934 - 1944: 2,057
  - Daimler Benz: 1935 - 1938: 272
  - Böhmisch- Mährischen Maschinenfabrik: 1939 - 1944
  - Praga
SdKfz 6, 37 mm FlaK36: 339
- Production: ? - 1943, 1937 - ?
SdKfz 6, 76.2 mm FK36(r): 9 converted
- Production: Late 1941
7.5 cm Slf L/40.8: 3 prototypes
- Production: 1934 - 1935

SdKfz 6:
76.2 mm FK36(r) auf Panzerjäger Selbstfahrlafette Zugkraftwagen 5t (SdKfz 6); 7.62 cm Pak 36(r) auf Panzerjäger Selbstfahrlafette Zugkraftwagen 5T, Diana: Mounted captured Soviet 76.2 mm Model 1936 guns. Served with 605th Panzerjägerabteilung in North Africa.
37 mm FlaK36 auf Fahrgestell Zugkraftwagen 5t (SdKfz 6/2): Mounted a 37 mm Flak 36 AA gun on a platform that had sides that folded down. These were produced during 1937 and most went to the Luftwaffe. The ammunition was carried in a trailer.
7.5 cm Slf L/40.8: Prototype that mounted 7.5 cm anti-tank gun.

One 7.5 cm Slf L/40.8 and one 7.62 cm Pak 36(r) were captured in North Africa.

	SdKfz 6
Crew	3 crew + (9: Artillery, 12: Pioneer) 11
Physical Characteristics
Weight	19,180 lb 8,700 kg 1935, 36: 8,800 kg 1938: 8,500 kg 1939: 9,000 kg
Weight - empty	7,300 kg
Weight - loaded	8,800 kg
Length	19' 8.6" 6.01 m, 6.02 m 1935, 1936: 6.02 m 1938: 6.115 m 1939: 6.325 m
Height	8' 1.6" 2.48 m, 2.5 m 1938: 2.27 m
Width	7' 2.6" 2.2 m 1935, 36: 2.2 m 1938, 39: 2.26 m
Ground clearance
Ground contact length	1935, 36: 1.27 m 1938: 2.025 m 1939: 2.02 m
Ground pressure (psi)
Armament
Main
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Quantity
Main
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)
Hull Front, Upper
Hull Front, Lower
Hull Sides, Upper
Hull Sides, Lower
Hull Rear
Hull Top
Hull Bottom
Turret Front
Turret Sides
Turret Rear
Turret Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach NL 38 1935: Maybach NL 35 TU 1936: Maybach NL 38 TUK 1938: Maybach NL 38 TUK/ NL 38 TUKRM 1939: Maybach HL 54 TUKRM Praga: Maybach HL54 TUKRM
Cylinders	6
Net HP	90, 100 1935: 90 1936, 1938: 100 1939: 115 Praga: 115
Transmission
Fuel type	Gasoline
Octane	74
Capacity (gallons)
Performance
Traverse
Speed - Road	31 mph 50 kph
Speed- Cross Country
Range - Road
Turning Radius	1936, 38: 13 m 1939: 15 m
Elevation Limits
Fording depth	1935-38: 0.6 m 1939: 0.5 m
Trench crossing
Vertical Obstacle
Suspension (Type)	1935, 1936: Leaf spring 1938, 1939: Torsion bar Wheels: Trans leaf spring Tracks: Longed ditto
Wheels each side	1935, 1936: 4 1938, 1939: 6
Return rollers each side
Track length	1935, 1936: 7.2 m 1938: 8.8 m 1939: 9.2 m
Tires
Track width	320 mm
Track centers/tread

Sources:

Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
Halbkettenfahrzeuge, German Half-Track Vehicles 1939-1945, J. Williamson, 1972
Profile, AFV Weapons #55, German Self-Propelled Weapons, Peter Chamberlain, H.L. Doyle, 1973