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Steyr 1500 A, 640, 250
From the start of the rearmament of the German Army in the early 1930s, the
benefits of motorized vehicles were realized and all efforts were made to
provide the proper vehicles for the 'Blitzkrieg' style. One of the more basic
vehicles employed by motorized units was the Steyr 1500A, a communications and
rapid transportation vehicle. Thanks to its rugged construction and generally
good design, a large number of these vehicles were produced. 12 450 Steyr 1500 A
vehicles were produced in Austria between 1941-44. Additional 5600 were made by
co-producer Auto-Union's Wanderer factory at Sigmar and Audi at Zwickau in
Germany. Steyr 1500 A was produced in three main variants: light truck, infantry
carrier and luxury command vehicle for high ranking officers (Kommandeurwagen
Kfz.21). Some light trucks were mounted with bodies and were used as radio
trucks, ambulances, repair wagons and field kitchens. They served in all
Wehrmacht, SS, and Luftwaffe communications units until the end of the war.
Their standard bodies were called “Einheitskofferaufbau” . Lot of them served as
platform for 20 mm antiaircraft guns – FLAKs.
Steyr 1500 A was used on all fronts from Russia to North Africa. Commandeur -
Cabriolet version was designated for the highest government and army officials.
Because truck served throughout WW II, there were applied all variants of German
camouflages. In Europe there was Panzer Grau (RAL 6006) initially, while in
Africa there was Sand. Panzer Grau was replaced by Dunkelgelb (RAL 7058) with
green or brown mottles. Cars were overpainted by whitewash in the winter
conditions.
Photographs - Steyr 1500 A, 640, 250
Steyr
Steyr 250 kubelwagen
Steyr 640
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