Sd.Kfz.223 3 Serie and Sd.Kfz.222 4 Serie Kraftstoffbehälter (Fuel Tanks) - Part 2 - Inside Track | Renault TSF Tank Kent

Previous research by the Foundation unearthed the detail of the three taps positioned under the two Kraftstoffbehälter (fuel tanks) that can be accessed from within the crew cabin. Work progresses on replacements for the damaged handles for the original taps that we collected. We are expecting the aluminium printing proof samples imminently. The Kraftstoffbehälter (fuel tanks) are another complication as we have discovered through cooperation with one of our members that there are differences between the tanks for the 4.Serie and 5.Serie. The numerous visits, generously permitted, to the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection at Fort Benning in Georgia provided the opportunity for us to record and measure of the fuel tanks within their 4.Serie Sd.Kfz.223 Ausf.A. These original Kraftstoffbehälter (fuel tanks) are remarkable as they are intact, in good condition and are still in position in this exhibit. Furthermore, they still retain their original caps and filters. Most fuel tanks in Seventy-year-old vehicles have suffered serious corrosion and are unusable. A restored Sd.Kfz.222 Ausf.B in the United States proved to have modern functional fuel tanks so provided no assistance. The two fuel tanks in leichter Panzerspähwagen are multi-angled to fit the profile of the Panzeraufbau so the photographs provided in the Ersatzteilliste (Parts list) provide limited assistance. They present quite a challenge for our survey teams and for our drafting specialists. When fitted into the profiled shape of the armour the fuel tanks have two sides completely hidden and are difficult to reach in any event. The images alongside provide some idea of the complexity of these tanks. When the first draft of our CAD drawings of these Kraftstoffbehälter were sent to one of your member colleagues to compare against the fuel tanks from his from his 5.Serie it emerged that there are differences. The initial reaction was that there could be errors in our measurements. Unlike the example at Fort Benning his fuels tanks have been removed from the vehicle and are free-standing and readily accessible for surveying. Further investigation and research have revealed the previously undocumented piece of history for these leichter Panzerspähwagen. One of the major innovations in the redesign for the 5.Serie (Ausf.B) was a three-part Panzeraufbau that facilitated maintenance, the rear section of armour could be removed without disturbing any of the fighting compartment which had become more complicated with the introduction of wiring for radio systems in the later models. The Kraftstoffbehälter of the 5.Serie (Ausf.B) were also redesigned to facilitate this Panzeraufbau removal. New fuel tanks, identical to the originals, will now be fabricated by our workshops to the two designs: the first design for the two Sd.Kfz.223 Ausf.A and our Sd.Kfz.222 Ausf.A and the other for our Sd.Kfz.261 Ausf.B. Eight tanks in all will be needed. In parallel we have put out a request for quotes on the filler caps and necks required for these tanks as they require specialist spinning that, as yet, we cannot undertake within the Foundation.

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