|
|
Development of the s. Zgkw. 18t was started by the Fahrzeug- und Motorenbau GmbH (FAMO) in Breslau in 1935. In 1936, the first model FM gr 1 was finished which largely corresponded to the later series. Alread with the H.V.Bl. 1937, No. 35 from 20th November 1937, ser. No. 1377 (OKH, 16th November 1937, AHA/In 6 (III c), the vehicle was officially introduced under the designation schwerer Zugkraftwagen 18t (Sd. Kfz. 9). In 1938, the improved first serial production model F 2 was introduced. The conclusion model F 3 was introduced in 1939. It seems that only one testing exemplar with the artillery superstructure was made based on a FM gr 1 which was modified with track drive components of the F 2. The main part of the vehicles were delivered with the standard superstructure divided into the crew compartment with two rows of seats and a platform made of sheet steel. The F 3was manufactured until 1945 with several improvements introduced during the serial production.
Originally, the s. Zgkw. 18t should be used as towing vehicle for the 24 cm Kanone 3, the 35.5 cm Haubitze M1 and the 12.8 cm Flak 40 – therefore, an artillery superstructure was developed. Rapidly, the excellent characteristics of the s. Zgkw. 18t were realised. So, it was later used as recovery vehicle for armoured vehicles and as towing vehicle for the Sd. Ah. 116. The heavy artillery units received s. Zgkw. 18t with the steel platform, too. To increase the pulling force of the cable winch, different ground spades were tested beginning in 1943. But photos of vehicles with ground spades are very rare. The Sd. Kfz. 9/1 had a 6 ton crane and the Sd. Kfz. 9/2 had a 10 ton crane. Altogether 14 partly-armoured s. Zgkw. 18t were manufactured and were used as self-propelled AA guns. They were armed with an 8.8 cm Flak 37. Besides these, there were individual test vehicles for different purposes.
|
|
