Monday, June 3, 2013

Opel-Kriegswagen für höhere Truppenführer - German Opel Command Armored Car (40-HP) 1906.


COMMERCIAL MOTORS
Second Report of the Berlin Show
15th February 1906
           
In continuation of my report I send you a photograph of the Opel-Darracq armoured motorcar, designed and built by Herr Emil Schmidt, of the Opel Garage, Berlin, to the order of the German War Office. The outlines of the vehicle are similar to an ordinary heavy motorcar, with one or two exceptions. The whole of the body is heavily armoured with steel plates, and the surface is constructed with as few projections as possible, to allow of bullets glancing off it. With the idea of making the machine nearly invulnerable, the driver is completely covered over with a metal sheeting, and this is provided with two sight holes. The steel plate used is 2.362 inches thick, and is capable of resisting bullets from modern infantry rifles. The interior is fitted with six seats: two for the general in command and his aide-de-camp, two revolving seats for the staff officers, and two front ones for the driver and attendant. The armanent consists of two quick-firing Mauser machine guns, each of which will fire 200 rounds per minute. One of these guns is placed in a dome over the back portion of the body, and can he made to swivel in any direction if necessary: the second one is placed in the fore part of the body, and its barrel projects through the front wail of the vehicle. The range of the latter weapon is naturally more restricted than the former, owing to is position, but at the same time the horizontal angle through which the barrel can be moved is a comparatively large one. Two telescopes are placed between the fixed and revolving seats—one on each side of the car—and these are supnorted on immovable stands. There are, also, two desks, for the accommodation of maps, and these are illuminated by small electric lamps. The internal fittings also include the following: —Two leather sword sheaths, two map cases, two provision cases, one chronometer, one compass, a baggage rack, two tyre covers, four air tubes, and a complete set of tools.

COMMERCIAL MOTORS


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