SCHUTZENPANZER
12-3 APC WEST GERMANY
The Spz 12-3 had a very short and unusual development. In 1955, Hispano-Suiza (Swiss company) built a light, self-propelled anti-tank gun on a tracked chassis. At that time the West German Army was being reformed, much of the original equipment coming from the United States, including M-7 Priests and M-47 Pattons. At the same time, West Germany wanted to start building its own armored vehicles again. In 1956, Hispano-Suiza was awarded a contract to build prototypes of a tracked APC. One year later, production contracts were awarded to Leyland in England and Hanomag and Henschel in West Germany. Production began in 1958 and was completed in 1962. The Spz 12-3 was never liked by the West German army, as it was very cramped inside the turret and chassis. The Spz 12-3 was replaced in most units by the SP 1.A, Spz Kurz, and the Spz Marder, in the 1970s and late 60s.
Length: 20 ft, 8 in.
Width: 8 ft, 3 in.
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 32,120 lbs
Crew: 3+5 soldiers
Power: Rolls-Royce B8180F, 8-cylinder gasoline engine, 220 hp
Armament: one Hispano-Suiza 20-mm cannon (the exact same cannon was put on the SP 1.A), sometimes a 106-mm Recoilless Rifle
Armor: .32”-1.2”
Speed: 36 mph
Range: 170 miles