The Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 234/4 is an eight wheeled Armored Car with a 7.5 cm PaK 40 L/46 Panzerabwehrkanone or in English Anti Tank gun. The term Schwerer Panzerspähwagen is German for Heavy Armored Scout Car.
These Special Purpose Vehicles Sd.Kfz.234 came in four variants:
- 234/1 – 2 cm Autocannon
- 234/2 – 5 cm gun and 1 MG42 nicknamed Puma
- 234/3 – 7,5 cm gun
- 234/4 – 7,5 PaK (Panzerabwehrkanone or Anti Tank Gun).
The Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 234/4 was photographed at the Deutsches Panzermuseum Munster in Germany 2011.
Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 234/4
The Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 234/4 was a German heavy armored reconnaissance vehicle used during World War II. It was a variant of the Sd.Kfz. 234 series, designed to provide reconnaissance and support to German armored divisions, particularly on the Eastern and Western Fronts. The Sd.Kfz. 234/4 was specifically modified to serve as a self-propelled anti-tank gun, mounted with a 75 mm Pak 40 L/46 anti-tank gun. This gave it the ability to engage enemy armor at long ranges, making it effective against Soviet and Allied tanks.
The vehicle was powered by a 220-horsepower Maybach HL 120 TRM engine, allowing it to achieve a top speed of about 50 km/h (31 mph), with a range of 500 km (310 miles) on roads. It weighed approximately 18 tons, which, combined with its excellent suspension system, allowed it to maneuver effectively across rough terrain. The armor of the Sd.Kfz. 234/4 ranged from 8 mm to 30 mm, providing moderate protection against small arms fire and shrapnel, but leaving it vulnerable to heavier anti-tank weapons.
With a fully rotating turret, the Sd.Kfz. 234/4 offered excellent visibility for its crew and flexibility in combat. Around 200 units were produced, and the vehicle saw service until the end of the war. Its combination of mobility, firepower, and armor made it a valuable asset in reconnaissance and anti-tank roles.
