Tatra T809
On 7 May 1942, Hitler issued an order that
simple low-speed semi-track load-carrying vehicles be developed for use in the
East Bussing-NAG were entrusted with the development of a Zgkw 5 neuer Art
which would replace both the 5t and 3t tractors. The first prototypes appeared
in the spring of 1943, and production was ordered at a rate of 150 units per
month. Only five sWS were delivered in 1943, and 825 of the total order for
7,484 had been completed by March 1945. Most sWS were completed with a lorry
type cab, but from mid-1944, an armoured cab was introduced and used for a
proportion of the load-carriers and weapon-carriers. A FlaK vehicle was created
by mounting a 3.7cm FlaK43 with a 9mm armour shield and fold-down sides,
permitting all-round traverse. The weight of the FlaK sWS was 15 tons. A 15cm
Panzerwerfer 42 auf sWS (armoured (rocket) launcher) was the replacement for
the Maultier based Panzerwerfer. The main advantage of the sWS was increased
rocket storage capacity and improved cross-country performance. These units
were in action from late 1944. After the war, Tatra in Czechoslovakia built a
new version of the sWS known as the Tatra T809.
The sWS differed from other German
semi-tracks in having wide dry pin tracks. The suspension layout was similar to
that of the Panther tank.
Manufacturer: Bussing-NAG, Ringhoffer-Tatra
Chassis Nos.: 150001-
825 produced from December 1943 to March
1945
Crew: 2
Engine: Maybach HL42TRKMS
Gearbox: 2 x 4 forward, 2 x 1 reverse
Weight (tons): 13.5
Length (metres): 6.92
Width (metres): 2.5
Height (metres): 2.07
Speed (km/hr): 28
Range (km): 300
Armour: 6-15mm
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