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 Medium Off-Road Krupp Truck Type L3H 63. In 1928 Krupp introduced its first off-road three-axle (6x4) truck, the L3H 63. The vehicle had much the same chassis as the three-ton model (1927-1928), an upright six cylinder carbureted 90 HP engine, a four speed transmission, an auxiliary gearshift for road or off-road speeds and live rest axles with individual locking differentials. The six-wheel hydraulic brakes were used. A many types of bodies were built.
This trucks began service in the Spanish Civil War. They continued to be used throughout the World War II, but not as often as Opel and Mercedes models. In the Wehrmacht this Krupp vehicle was used as Radio truck, Field cable truck, Fuel tank truck, Photography truck, Anti aircraft survey trup truck, Double cab truck for smoke generating troops, Airport searchlight truck and Airport spotlight truck on all fronts from Russia to North Africa. In the middle of the truck, on the right side, was a motor driven winch with three ton towing capability. In 1936, the engine was was upgraded to 110 HP, the gearbox and suspension were strengthened and the hydraulic brakem were replaced by Knorr designed air-brakes on the rear wheels. The body was unchanged. The clearest identifying marks were two hatches on the engine hood in place of cooling louvers. Production ended in 1938. Licence production was realised in Hungary in the RAB automotive factory.
Pre-World War II Germany camouflage schema used RAL 7021 Dark Gray as a base color with camouflage patches of RAL 7017 Brown.
Technical Specifications
Length: 7400 mm
Width: 2500 mm
Height: 3200 mm
Empty weight: 5700 kg
Load weight: 9170 kg
Wheel base: 4200 mm
Rear wheel base: 1100 mm
Tyres: 7,25-20
Road clearance: 200 mm
Engine: Krupp six-cylinder M 12, 7 542 ccm, 90 HP (L3H 63) at 3,600 rpm, 110 HP (L 3 H 163)
Valves: OHV
Gears: Main gear - Four forward, one reverse, Auxilliary gear - Two forward
Brakes: Hydraulic on all wheels (L3H 63), Air brakes on rear wheels (L 3 H 163)
Fuel capacity: 110 L gasoline
Fuel consumption: 30,0 L/100 km
Road speed: 65 km/h
