The SdKfz 234 yielded a weight of 11.5 tons. On an internal fuel capacity of 360 liters, the system could hit ranges out to 620 miles on roads and 372 miles cross country. Dimensionally, the SdKfz 234 had a running length of 5.86 meters with a width of 2.33 meters and a height to the turret top of 2.10 meters. Maximum speed was listed at near-50 mile per hour speeds. All these specifications ultimately led to a vehicle that was well ahead of her time - unlike anything that the Allies could field at this time in the war.
While the base SdKfz 234/1 was expected to field a 20mm KwK 38 series anti-tank gun, the decision was made to formally upgrade to a 50mm (5cm) KwK 39/1 L/60 gun before production had begun. The KwK 39 was the same armament being fitted to later production models of Panzer III medium tanks - proving itself an effective tank killer for a time. The vehicle then saw a minor designation change from SdKfz 234/1 to SdKfz 234/2 and this new model could be clearly identified by its longer baffled main gun barrel and 100mm thick "pig's head" gun mantlet protruding from the front turret facing. Production began in December of 1943 and would completed in June of 1944 with 100 vehicles delivered.
Once in practice, the SdKfz 234/2 Puma proved its worth as a viable armed reconnaissance vehicle. With her improved frontal armor and formidable main gun, she could traverse into volatile areas that were generally restricted to other like-minded vehicles utilized early in the war. These vehicles generally saw excessive wear and tear and but proved wholly invaluable to advancing army formations. The SdKfz 234's all-terrain capabilities clearly shown through as did its upgraded main armament and speed. Production of the SdKfz 234 could also be handled rather quickly and they offered up a relatively low battlefield profile. Their design also allowed the vehicle to drive just as fast backwards as forwards. Such was her value that several captured SdKfz 234s by the Allies were returned to respective home countries to undergo extensive evaluation and trials. Their influence can clearly be seen in several subsequent Cold War-era 8-wheeled light tank developments.
The SdKfz 234/3 "Schwerer Panzerspahwagen" was later born from a Wehrmacht initiative to upgrade its eight-wheeled reconnaissance fleet. This also brought along an update to the 7.5-cm Kanone 37 anti-tank gun in the 75mm (7.5cm) KwK 51 L/24 low-velocity main gun. The SdKfz 234 chassis was fitted with this cannon as its main weapon to provide German formations with improved fire support. The body design remained similar to that of the SdKfz 234/1 though the SdKfz 234/3 did away with the hand-traversed turret and instead fielded a static, open-topped fighting compartment to house the commander, loader, gunner and armament. This fitting made for cramped operating quarters but the SdKfz 234/3 was only a smidgen taller than the preceding SdKfz 234/1 design. The driver's compartment was relocated slightly to a position deeper in the forward hull. To contend with enemy infantry attacks, light vehicles and low-flying aircraft, the SdKfz 234/3 was fitted with a 7.92mm MG42 as secondary armament, to be operated by the turret crew.
In practice, the SdKfz 234/3 once again showed the limitations of her armor protection but her main gun armament proved a potent foe. However, since the SdKfz 234/3 fitted a fixed superstructure instead of a turret, traverse of the gun was limited to just 20 degrees left or right. This often meant that the entire vehicle had to be repositioned for target engagement beyond this reach - hardly good practice in the heat of battle. Production of the SdKfz 234/3 began in April of 1944 and completed in December when attention had already shifted to the SdKfz 234/4 and its potent Pak 40 main gun.
The SdKfz 234/4 was the final evolution of the SdKfz 234 line. Mounting the formidable 75mm (7.5-cm) PaK 40 anti-tank gun, the vehicle was appropriately armed for the dangers of the modern battlefield - essentially a desperate German attempt to produce a viable tank destroyer in quantity. However, the PaK 40 proved a large weapon to mount onto the space-cramped chassis of the SdKfz 234/4 and the inherently violent recoil pushed the hull and wheels to their structural limits. Nevertheless, the "upgunning" program continued as planned at the behest of Adolf Hitler himself. The SdKfz 234/4 fitted a revised fixed superstructure to make room for the PaK 40 L/46 gun. Traverse was limited as in the towed version and the forward gun shield was revised to become smaller in area to clear the superstructure.
As with most late-war German developments, the SdKfz 234/4 was rushed into production in December of 1944. Once in operational service, this expediency usually showcased detrimental results in relation to construction and proper development time. In the end, only 100 of these vehicles were fielded before Germany capitulated in May of 1945 and their effectiveness was never wholly proven.
Some 2,300 SdKfz 234 models were ultimately produced before the end of the war. At its peak, production reached 100 vehicles per month.
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