The Sd Kfz 222 design was a modified version of the Sd Kfz 221 with a larger turret designed to carry an automatic gun.Seven series were ordered and completed , each entailing minor modifications.Production ceased in mid 1943 but the proposed new four-wheel armored car was not put into production because of changing requirements.It was felt that the heavy eight-wheel Sd Kfz 234 would be more suitable for reconnaissance operations in the future. The first five series of the Sd Kfz 222 had the sPkw I Horch 801 chassis with the 3.5lit engine.In May 1942 an improved chassis the sPkw I Type V was introduced incorporating hydraulic brakes and a 3.8lit engine.At the same time the armour on the hull front was increased to 30mm , but the rest of the armour plate thicknesses remained unchanged.The 20mm automatic gun was mounted coaxially with a machine-gun in the turret and could be elevated to an almost vertical position for engaging enemy air-craft. The Sd Kfz 222 was issued to the Panzerspähwagen squadrons of the Aufklärungs battalions.With only a short-range radio it accompanied the armored cars with long-range sets , in order to provide covering fire and engage enemy armored reconnaissance vehicles.The Sd Kfz 222 served in all campaigns on all fronts from 1939 until the end of the war.
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