Kleiner Panzerfunkwagen (Sd.Kfz.261) Ausf.B – 5.Serie – Provenance - Part 5 - Inside Track | Renault TSF Tank Kent

In our last article we clarified how we established that the Foundation’s Sd.Kfz.261 was still a Sd.Kfz.261 but a much later example than previously thought. This was achieved by establishing clarity on the Fahrgestellnummer. The correct number 8110827 pointed to a chassis assembled much later than our earlier observed chassis number. The chemical rust stripping also revealed a corresponding frame number 927 which had previously been obscured .This provides absolute confirmation of the pedigree of the newly revealed Fahrgestellnummer. ‘The immediate concern was our previous identification of this being an Sd.Kfz.261 chassis. Referring to our Research Team with the new Fahrgestellnummer propelled us back in to our large and growing database of Panzerspähwagen information. Our previous analysis of this being a chassis for a Sd.Kfz.261 was fortunately proven sound. This was a moment of great relief as the armour body panels we had collected over a long period for this project were from an original Sd.Kfz.261’. The excitement upon finding that this Kleiner Panzerfunkwagen (Sd.Kfz.261) Ausf.B – 5.Serie was even greater when the database revealed that for once we had a vehicle with much of its paperwork and records intact. The original Lieferschein (delivery note) was issued by Auto Union AG, Chemnitz on 3 April 1943 for completion under contract number 211-0202/41. Auto-Union delivered 16 completed and tested Fahrgestelle Typ s.Pkw.Iv to Eisenwerk Weserhütte AG, Bad Oeynhausen in Nordrhein-Westfalia for mounting of the Aufbau (Superstructure) and completion. The finished Kleiner Panzerfunkwagen were then to be delivered to the Heeresnebenzeugampt (Panzerspahwagenbezirk) Frankfurt /Oder (zur Werf. O.K.H.) (Ordnance Depot) where radios, small arms etc would be installed and the vehicles issued to the troops. Remember this contract 211-0202/41 was awarded to Auto Union AG Werk Horch and the responsibility for the completed assembled vehicles was their responsibility. Eisenwerk Weserhütte AG is the final assembler of Sd.Kfz.260 and Sd.Kfz.261 for Auto Union Werk Horch AG under the terms of the contract. Our Fahrgestellnummer 8110827 is the 15th of the 16 Fahrgestelle listed on the Lieferschein. The chassis numbers are in ascending order numerically but do not follow exact sequential numbering. More interesting details are to be found on the Lieferschein – the WH (Zulassungs Nummer) or registration number awarded upon approval by the relevant Waffenampt authority which appears to be Wa J Ru (Wu G 6) VIII b. The Foundation’s Sd.Kfz.261 is listed with WH 1449 738. This is an amazing find as we will now be able to apply this correct registration number when our restoration is complete. The WH (Zulassungs Nummer) on the Lieferschein are in exact numerical order as compared to the Fahrgestellnummer. This could reflect problems in the assembly line at Weserhütte or Werk Horch AG themselves originally or that Fahrgestelle were selected at random by Werk Horch AG to send to their assembly contractors. This is a more tenuous suggestion, but we have examined several chassis pre-fitted for their ultimate assembly destination – Gruppe I for those intended for Funkwagen or Gruppe III for the Sd.Kfz.222. Our Research Team is still investigating this detail to see if there is indeed a formal pattern in this regard. We will inform you as more detail emerges. The Motor-Nummer (motor number) is also listed for each chassis followed by the type of tyres Gelande mit schussicherer Fulling ‘Conti’ funf-fach (off road Conti 5-time-filling bullet-proof tyres). Lastly, the Kfz. Brief Nummer or car ownership certificate number is listed as 158 525 E. The document goes on to list items missing or still to be fitted. We will cover this section in our next piece on the Lieferschein for the Sd.Kfz.261.

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