2cm Flakvierling 38 auf Fahrgestell Zugkraftwagen 8t (Sd Kfz 7/1)

The basic Zgkw 8t was built by Krauss-Maffei, Borgward and, from 1943, by Saurer. The FlaK vehicle was built with a special superstructure which formed an adequate platform for all-round traverse if the sides were folded down. Ammunition was carried in a special single-axle trailer. From late 1943, the driver's cab and engine compartment of some vehicles were lightly armoured. Vehicles mounting the FV38 towed a Sonder Anhanger (special trailer) 56 to hold the 2cm ammunition.

Basic Vehicle

This vehicle with an 8-ton trailer capacity resulted from a specification laid down by the WaPruf.6 towards the end of 1932. It was required for towing the medium· weight guns, such as the 15cm. s. F.H. 18 and the 88mm Flak 18, and as an infantry carrier it was to carry from fifteen to eighteen men.

Development and production of this vehicle was undertaken by the firm of Krauss-Maffei in Munchen-Allach, but at a later date other firms such as Bussing NAG, Daimler-Benz, Hansa-Lloyd (Borgward), Saurer in Vienna and Breda in Milan participated in its manufacture. Of the 12,000 built, 6,129 were produced by Krauss-Maffei Most of the later models were made by Krauss-Maffei or Hansa-Lloyd, and several models existed-ranging from the KM m 7 to the KM m 12. 

The earlier models of 1934 had a track length that was only very slightly over half the overall vehicle length . These were later improved upon by fitting more powerful engines and increasing the length of the track section to three-quarters of the overall length. The extra length was carried by additional bogie wheels (one narrow and one wide on each side). The track suspension system fitted on the 8-ton vehicles represented a partial development from this model to the torsion-bar suspension on other models of the semi-track range. Krauss-Maffei objected to a proposed changeover from leaf to torsion-bar springing on the grounds of loss of production. 

Some vehicles were fitted with armour on the engines and cabs.

Production of the Sd .Kfz.7 was as follows:

1940	1941	1942	1943	1944
996	1,320	1,392	3,251	3,298