|
|
|
|
|
|
Selbstfahrlafette (Sd. Kfz. 7/1)
Fahrgestell des m. Zgkw. 8t mit 2 cm Flakvierling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Selbstfahrlafette (Sd. Kfz. 7/1) für 2 cm Flakvierling 38/1 was used as self-propelled anti aircraft gun. It was manufactured starting in mid 1940. The 120 vehicles of the first production series of which 20 vehicles were usd as ammunition carriers without guns were delivered until mid 1941. The 2 cm Flakvierling 38/1 had a considerable firepower. The protection of the crew against enemy fire as well as wind and weather was insufficient. The high of the vehicle was a large disadvantage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The second production model had a changed gun mount for the 2 cm Flakvierling 38/1. It was manufactured starting in early 1942. In 1942, 261 self propelled anti-aircraft guns of the types Sd. Kfz. 7/1 and 7/2 were manufactured by Lindner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This photo of a Sd. Kfz. 7/1 was made in 1943 or in 1944. Observe the camouflage finish. Four 2 cm gun-barrels are lying on a table ready to be cleaned. The crew was inserting the spare barrels to be ready to fire, if it was necessary. In the meantime, the 2 cm Flakvierling 38/1 had received an armour shield. In total 131 Sd. Kfz. 7/1 were manufactured in 1943 of which some vehicles were already armoured.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All self propelled A.A. guns had the same problem. They were too vulnerable against enemy fire. Beginning around late 1943, the Sd. Kfz. 7/1 got an armoured drivers’ cab and an armour shield in front of the radiator. Actually, the 2 cm Flak-Vierling 38/1 had a gun-shield as series. The gun-shield on the illustrated vehicle was demounted to prevent damage during training. In 1944, altogether 361 Sd. Kfz. 7/1 were manufactured. There were contracts for further 35 vehicles to be manufactured from February to April 1945. Most probably, not all of these vehicles were finished.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In total, 750 to 850 exemplars of the Sd. Kfz. 7/1 were made. This vehicle of a Waffen-SS unit towed an Sd. Ah. 52. This trailer was used for transportation of Flak guns and equipment and ammunition boxes for these guns. The box on this trailer seems to be a self-build. (Photo: German federal archive via Wikimedia Commons; License: Creative Commons BY-SA-3.0-gb)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<< back to the m. Zgkw. 8t
|
|
