| These 3-ton cargo trucks became the back bone of the German military transports. The military designation for these 3-ton trucks was Kfz. 305. Originally designed as a 4X2rear-wheel drive but in 1940 a 4-wheel design was made available and it became very much appreciated by its crew for the cross country abilities. This variant of the 3-ton was used primarily for cargo transportation but could easily be adapted to handle troops. These 3-ton trucks continued to be manufactured even when WWII was declared ended and the S type became the most used truck for German commercial transport. From1937 to 1944 approximately 82,000 of the Type were built and another 14,000 with along wheel-base and 8,300 with a low- level base. Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) was founded in 1933 as Hitler’s personal bodyguard regiment. In 1939 the LSSAH became a separate unit of the Waffen-SS and spent the latter part of 1942 refitting as a panzergrenadier division. In late 1942 the entire German Eastern Front was close to collapse and General Feldmarschall Erich von Manstein requested reinforcements to stop the Soviet Army at Karkov. The LSSAH arrived in Karkov in January 1943 and fought many battles defending the city and surrounding area only be forced out. More German forces arrived and by March 21, 1943 Karkov was back in German control. Specifications for the base variant of the 2X4 rear-wheel drive 3-Ton Cargo Truck. Performance Engine - (6) cylinder, 3,626 L (221 cu in), 68 hp (51 kW) @ 2,800 rpm Gears - (5) forward, (1) reverse Brakes - Hydraulic all wheels Fuel Type – gasoline Capacity - 82 L (21.7 US gal) Consumption On Road - 26 L/100 km (9.0 mpg) Off Road - 35 L/100 km (6.7 mpg) Speed on Road - 85 km/h (52.8 mph) Dimensions Length - 6.10 m (20.03 ft) Width - 2.26 m (7.43 ft) Height - 2.85 m (9.35 ft) Wheel base - 3.600 m (11.81 ft) Weights Empty - 5800 kg (12,790 lb) Usual Maximum Load – 4000 (8,818 lb) |
| Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3906 German Cargo Truck SS-Panzer Grenadiere Division "LAH" Kharkov, March 1943 |