The Best Armored Troop Carrier/Reconnaissance Fighting Vehicle of WWII???

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Lucky13

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Aug 21, 2006
In my castle....
Which would you consider to be the best armored fighting vehicle of WWII? I'm thinking of troop carriers and reconnaissance vehicles... Would it the SdKfz 250, 251 the M2/M3, the M8, the Humber Mk4 or the Sd.Kfz. 231 etc...etc...?

Which had the better chance of survival, the better armour, dependability, serviceability, weapons etc.....the list goes on.
 
I'm going to think about this question, but I have to make you aware that AFV refers to tanks also.

A quick answer from would be the amazingly adaptable and reliable Sd.Kfz. 251 - the amount that was put on that chassis is amazing. It was the perfect support vehicle for the tanks.
 
Just thought of that after I had posted this one...maybe one of the Mods wouldn't mind too much to have it changed to a more appropiate title?
 
For all its weakness and outdated nature, the M3 Stewart was OUTSTANDING in its intended role, due to its rugged reliability and excellent performance. Sort of the same principle as the success of the Swordfish. A vehicle that to all appearances seems hopelessly outdate, but still does a a stellar job regardless.

Later in the war, the Chaffee was absolutely outstanding in just about every regard as a Recon AFV.

On a related note, I've always thought the Soviet T60/T70 "looked" great for a recon AFV, but I've not heard about it being used much in that regard.

On the German side, I've heard good things about the PzII Lynx, and a variety of wheeled recon vehicles they used, but dont know the details.
 
If we're talking about armoed support or transport vehicles then I'd have to say the Sd.Kfz. 251, mainly because of its adaptability good protection.

The Puma gets an honorable mention, it was an excellent recon vehicle.
 
The M3 was a successful design and it was used in every theatre of the war. It was the first American AFV to see combat when it was sent to the 8th Army in July '41. By Operation Crusader there were 163 M3s in British service. The M3 model was modified in British service with the introduction of British pattern smoke dischargers, extra sand shields and removal of the practically useless sponson machine guns (the machine guns were removed in the M3A1).
The Soviet Union received 1676 M3 Stuarts and while the advantage of gyroscopes was appreciated, the high silhouette was criticised and the hull machine guns were openly mocked. :note: The Soviets' delivery was not all Guiberson diesel engined models as some histories state; as only 500 M3 (Diesel) were made as well as 211 M3A1 (Diesel).

The M3 was obviously a big success as over 14,000 were built. The M3 Light Tank was a tank though so surely it cannot be included in the discussion, or else we would have to include the M5 Light Tank which was quite clearly a superior design; having many minor improvements as well as better armour protection while maintaining the same speed. Redundant M5s were converted to T8 Reconnaisance Vehicle in '44 by removing the turret and replacing it with a gun ring mounting for a Browning .50 cal. The M24 Light Tank 'Chaffee' was probably the best light tank of the war and was produced in enough numbers to merit a mention (4,415 vehicles by wars end) but it cannot be compared to the Sd.Kfz.251; for the simple reason that it was light tank armed with a 75mm M6 cannon and the Sd.Kfz.251 was a troop carrier half-track.

I don't mean to be annoying but really, half-tracks, recon vehicles and light tanks would have to be kept seperate for comparison.
 
For recon and infantry support, give me this baby:

The Sd.Kfz. 234 Puma


It was totally unmatched in its class and way ahead of its time. Top speed was 80 km/h and range an incredible 900km.

For armored transport and light infantry support I choose the Sd.Kfz. 251.
 

Gotta go with Soren (again) on this one . . . . the Sd. Kfz. 234/2 was an almost perfect balance of firepower, armor mobility, especially for an armored car. German armored cars were, in general, years ahead of everybody else's, especially the 234-series. Many of the design features found on the 234-series of armored cars were later incorporated into the armored car designs of the Allied countries after the War.
 
Another armored recon vehicle that we must not forget is the Sd.Kfz. 222, it was an excellent design also ahead of its time, and an absolutely devastating foe for any unsupported enemy infantry unit.





 
The M8 wasn't a troop carrier, it was an armored recon car which wasn't very well armored or armed.


Btw guys, small correction, the Sd.Kfz. 234/2 Puma was apparently able to reach 85 km/h.
 
Hey, I've got a question for all you WWII AFV/armor buffs out there: I took a picture of my son in an armored car last summer at a Boy Scout Camporall (basically, a really big campout with hundreds of other Boy Scouts). Can anyone identify this armored car for me? All I know is it's British, and it had a .30-cal machine gun in the turret; here it is:




P.S. My son's a goofball!
 
I have all the Sd.Kfz.234 series being able to reach 80 km/h. The whole series was impressive for recon and infantry support, I would not argue against them. The Sd.Kfz.234/2 being the most able, but not forgetting the Sd.Kfz.234/3 and 4 which both mounted 75mm (KwK51 L/24 and PaK40 L/46 respectively) which could pack an unexpected punch for any Allied recon or light armour.
 
I admit to being in two minds on this. The 234 Puma is an exceptional machine, the only problem I have with it. For Recce work its too big.

For Recce the Daimler is a good balance of size and cross country ability, but has the 2pd.

Really too close to call.
 
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