Sd.Kfz. 302 Goliath (reconstruction)

“Light carrier of explosives” (Leichter Ladungsträger Goliath, Sd.Kfz. 302) or selfpropelled, remote controlled tracked mine is the result of the requirements of the German Land Forces Armament Office (Heereswaffenamt) from the end of 1940 to develop a small tracked vehicle, driven by electric motors, capable of carrying dozens of kilograms of explosives. He was to be used mainly to destroy fortifications and clear the way in the minefields. Order received Borgward company, which since April 1942 has started production of Goliath. The first version of Sd.Kfz.302 which according to the requirements received as drive two electric motors Bosch, each with a power of 2.5 kW placed together with the batteries in the side chambers between tracks. In front of a small, lightly armored (6 mm sheet of mild steel providing protection against rifle bullets) of the vehicle was explosive with a mass of 60 kg. Behind was located the drum with three-wire cable, through which both were controlled propulsion, as well as the charge detonation of explosive charge. This version of Goliath was used, among others, during the siege of Sevastopol. A total of approx. 2,650 units produced until January 1944. The vehicle turned out to be too expensive and complicated to produce, so already in 1943 another model Goliath – Sd.Kfz.303 entered service, which is used as a driven by 2-cylinder internal combustion engine Zündapp SZ7 and increased the weight of the explosive charge up to 100 kg. This version (the production of more than 5,000 copies) was used by the Germans, among others, in the Warsaw Uprising. In the place of combat, Goliaths were transported on a two-wheeled cart, pulled by four soldiers.

Specifications Sd.Kfz. 302 Goliath:

Length: 1.5 m
Width: 0.85 m
Height: 0.56 m
Vehicle weight: 370 kg (including the weight of the explosive charge 60 kg)
Engine: two electric motors Bosch with power of 2.5 kW
Maximum speed: 10 km / h
The range on the road / field: 1.5 km / 0.8 km