Leichter Panzerspähwagen
Sd.Kfz.261 Ausf. BIn Detail
We have been collecting German armoured car parts for nearly 20 years. Many of the parts we have been offered, came without the knowledge of which Serie or variant the parts or panels related to. They are inevitably sold as German armoured car parts unless located through a specified search. Many of our Sd.Kfz.223 items, including turrets and a complete vehicle have been referred to as Sd.Kfz 221 parts by others. We have accepted everything regardless of whether they are for an early or late Sd.Kfz.223, Sd.Kfz.222 or Sd.Kfz.260 variant.
The reality is we are unable to predict what parts would be the next to appear, so have avoided turning down offers in the leichte Spähwagen range. We now as a result have many Sd.Kfz 234 parts, which we are very unlikely to use. The same happened with the Sd.Kfz.261 Ausf. B (5 Serie ) armoured car. Over time, more and more parts and body panels arrived, which were stored. Then one day a chassis was offered, which we accepted, and was subsequently delivered.
The Sd.Kfz.261 chassis was in two halves, having been split due to a traumatic event during WWII. At some point the chassis had also been stripped. This proves extremely unhelpful, as the earlier chassis components make it easier to track down components by comparison. However, we have subsequently had some success in locating many of the chassis components.
Research is a key part of any of our restoration projects. We investigate the development history of the vehicle, as well as its full history and where it served if possible.
Our initial survey showed that the design of the chassis had not stood the test of time. Exposure to rain or being buried underground for 70 years, had taken its toll. It had not weathered as well as the various earlier s.Pkw.I Fahrgestell Typ 801 chassis in our possession. The build design for the earlier chassis, appears to have been made from thicker channel section material.
When you become a member you have access to the full article detailing the work and research in this project and the ongoing issue resolution regarding fittings and detail.
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Articles
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Sd.Kfz.222 or Sd.Kfz.223 Floor Plate Find. What is it for?
30 Sep 2016
Our investigation into the floor plate pattern is brought once more into the spot light...
Sd.Kfz 222, Sd.Kfz 223 A or B series – Parts Identification- Side Cabin Panel
09 Dec 2016
Putting the pieces together...

Sd.Kfz. 223 Ausf. B 5 Serie – Inventory for Chassis –The First Step
16 Sep 2016
What is essential at this stage is to gather all the parts we have together...
Sd.Kfz.223 Researching The Interior- Floor Plate
11 Apr 2016
Using the floor plate to discover more detail.
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From the Archive - Sd.Kfz. 222 or 223 Floor Plate Find. What is it for?
21 Sep 2018
Our investigation into the floor plate pattern is brought once more into the spot light...

Sd.Kfz 223 Ausf B 5 Serie – Uncovering the Provenance Part 4
05 Oct 2018
Sd.Kfz 223 Ausf B is dead – Long live the Sd.Kfz 261!!
Sd.Kfz.223 Ausf.B (5 Serie) – Uncovering the Provenance Part 2 – a Sd.Kfz.223?
07 Sep 2018
Its all in the number

Kleiner Panzerfunkwagen (Sd.Kfz.261) Ausf.B- 5.Serie– Breaking News
18 Apr 2019
Where archive meets archaeology!

Leichter Panzerspähwagen Ausf.B Typ 801 V Chassis Upgrade - Part 1
12 Apr 2019
Is everything what it seems?
leichter Panzerspaehwagen Einheitsfahrgestell I Typ v – Establishing the Provenance - Part 1
19 Jul 2018
Who, when and for what application was the chassis supplied?

LEICHTER PANZERSPÄHWAGEN AUSF.B TYP 801 V CHASSIS UPGRADE - Part 2
26 Jul 2019
Another Important Discovery
Dept of Corrections - Sd.Kfz 222, Sd.Kfz 223 A or B series – Parts Identification- Side Cabin Panel
04 Oct 2019
Putting the pieces together...
Department of Corrections - Sd.Kfz 222, Sd.Kfz 223 A or B series – Parts Identification- Side Cabin Panel
04 Oct 2019
An article revisited

Le.Pz.Sp.Wg Einheitsfahrgestell I – Stahlblech-Scheibenrad -Wheel Rims - Part 1
13 Mar 2020
3 Serie Sd.Kfz.223 Rims Resolved

Le.Pz.Sp.Wg Einheitsfahrgestell I - Stahlblech-Scheibenrad (Wheel rims) - Part 2
19 Mar 2020
4.Serie Sd.Kfz.222 issue with rims resolved

Sd.Kfz 222 and 223 – Angled Steering Mechanism – Ausf. A vs Ausf. B Part 1
12 May 2017
Research Continues