The Legendary German 18 Ton Sd.Kfz. 9 Famo in Action!

👕 MY MERCHANDISE:

"Discover the remarkable history of the Sd.Kfz. 9 Famo, an 18-ton half-track used by the German Wehrmacht during WWII. Learn about its role as a heavy recovery vehicle, its robust design, and how it continued to make an impact after the war. Witness this engineering marvel in action at modern-day events!"

Today, we’re diving into the incredible history of one of WWII’s most iconic heavy vehicles: the Sd.Kfz. 9, also known as the Famo. From its origins to its role on the battlefield and its life after the war, this is the story of a machine built for power and reliability."

History and Production (0:30-2:00):
"The Sd.Kfz. 9 was first developed in the late 1930s by Fahrzeug- und Motorenbau GmbH, or Famo, in Breslau, Germany. Production began in 1938, and by the end of the war, approximately 2,500 units had been built. This 18-ton half-track was the heaviest and most powerful of its kind used by the German Wehrmacht.

Its design featured a robust Maybach HL 108 engine with 270 horsepower, allowing it to tow tanks, artillery, and other heavy equipment. Its versatility and strength made it invaluable for battlefield logistics, especially when recovering damaged vehicles or transporting artillery in difficult terrain."

Purpose During WWII (2:00-3:30):
"The Famo’s primary role was as a heavy recovery vehicle. It was equipped with a powerful winch and often worked alongside trailers to recover immobilized tanks such as the Tiger or Panther. Its off-road capabilities were unmatched, allowing it to navigate muddy battlefields, snowy landscapes, and rugged terrain with ease.

The Sd.Kfz. 9 was also used to tow heavy artillery like the 21 cm Mörser 18 or Flak 88 guns, making it a critical asset for Germany's mobile warfare strategy. However, its high production cost and complexity limited its numbers."

Post-War Use (3:30-4:30):
"After WWII, many surviving Sd.Kfz. 9 vehicles were repurposed. The Allies captured a number of these machines and used them for their own military needs. Others were adapted for civilian use, such as in construction or heavy transport, thanks to their durability and strength. Today, restored Sd.Kfz. 9s are prized by collectors and often featured in historical reenactments and events, keeping their legacy alive."

Conclusion (4:30-5:00):
"The Sd.Kfz. 9 Famo stands as a testament to German engineering during WWII, combining power, reliability, and innovation. Its impact on the battlefield and its legacy in the post-war era ensure it remains one of the most recognized vehicles of its time.

#ww2 #military #vehicle #worldwar2

[ericbrammer]

"Terminal understeer" comes to mind...

[tonyday]

Beautiful vehicle, nice video, thanks from Australia.

[neilfoster]

An absolute beast of a vehicle. Being able to pull a dead Tiger tank is very impressive!

[johnsamu]

It's important to note that the disadvantages in civilian use AFTER the war were besides its complex construction it's FUEL consumption.
Compared to a "normal" wheeled heavy truck its track configuration also considerably increased the fuel consumption.
But it's a BEAUTIFUL design.

[leso]

The clatter of those tracks would take a toll on a long journey

[essexfarmer]

very light on the front steering. I wonder if it was possible to disengage one track and steer like a tank?

[oldreliable]

Always wondered how the front wheels could actually steer something with huge tracks in the rear. 🤔

[Cletrac]

Nice vid. Many people refer to these as a 3/4 track.

[guidor.]

I recognize the footage from Overloon/Militracks, but where is the footage from around 0:13 - 0:45 taken?

[curtisnewton]

how do the tracks behave in regard to the steering ?

[kululv]

why is that military vehicl3s logo in the middle of the screen?

[GRADEBOLT]

What exactly does the wheeled front axle do when 3 quarters of the machine Is track. Just make it all track.

[petersoerent]

A V12 which produced
270 hp. But how big is
the engine ? 8 liter ?

[Freesavh]

Just start praying when you need to change directions. Cause those 2 front wheels were only a hope & a prayer. 😂😂

[aflaz]

Steering as you can see at 2:27 was not the best at times. Having tracks powering together, with no way of braking one side, meant the lighter front end was just going to be pushed straight ahead, depending on the conditions of the track or road with both wheels turned!

[wernervanderwalt]

Just sorry that the Wehrmacht was still using nearly 900 000 horses to pull their artillery.

[denniselvy]

Front wheels should be driven to help it steer. I think the US developed their half track to steer

[fireballfireball]

I am wondering, are the front wheels driven, or not ?

[gargoyle]

The moment when the entire French army begins to run.

[jozefmalik]

Aký vyznam má ten Chazarský trojzubec 🔱 v znaku kanala ?