SdKfz 254

The Saurer RR -7 was an artillery tractor of the Austrian Armed Forces and later a scout car of the German Wehrmacht.

History

1936 Saurer received a contract for the development of an artillery tractor for the army to replace older tugs and tractors. Construction began in 1936 and was completed in 1937. A works contract for 15 vehicles was again carried out in 1938, of which up to the Anschluss but only 12 were completed.

In May 1938, the Army Ordnance Department awarded to the Saurer -Werke in Vienna a contract to develop a wheel - tracked vehicle. Saurer decided to use a new version of its RR -7. A first pattern of development they laid before 1942, which ( apparently) but was rejected again. Instead, continue to the old RR -7 was produced. It was followed by an order for 140 vehicles, of which only 128 were taken. The RR -7 was now under the designation Sd.Kfz. 254 out and used as a reconnaissance vehicle ( official name: " armored observation cars').

Specifications

RR -7 was a so-called wheel - crawler vehicle, i.e., it had both normal wheels like a car or a chain drive, such as a tank. The crew was able to switch between the two depending on what was required. The model, which Saurer 1942 presented should still get a turret, where the two arms should be installed.

However, the two RR -7 versions differed only in a few points. Up on the tower were almost identical vehicles. From the version produced different data are given in the table below in parentheses.