Büssing A5P

Büssing A5P
Type Armoured car
Place of origin  Germany
Production history
Manufacturer Büssing AG
Produced 1916
Number built 3
Specifications
Weight 22,600 pounds (10,300 kg)
Length 31.17 feet (9.50 m)
Width 6.89 feet (2.10 m)
Height 11.4 feet (3.5 m)
Crew 10
Armor 6–9 mm
Main
armament
 3x 7.92 mm MG 08 machine guns
Engine 6-cylinder Büssing 'Otto' petrol
90 hp (66 kw)
Power/weight 8.7 hp/tonne
Operational
range
 150 miles (240 km)
Speed 21 miles per hour (34 km/h)

The Büssing A5P was an armoured car produced in Germany during World War I.

History

The Büssing company had received its first orders of military vehicles in 1910, producing artillery tractors and supply trailers. By November 1914, the German Army had become aware of the potential of the armoured car by the hit-and-run tactics employed by the Belgians with the Minerva. The Oberste Heeresleitung decided to produce its own armoured vehicle and the manufacturing companies Ehrhardt, Daimler and Büssing were requested to develop an armoured car with all-wheel drive.

During 1915, Büssing delivered the ordered prototype. In contrast to the Belgian armoured cars, the A5P was a massive vehicle, using a 'double-ended' layout that could at least pose a tactically useful high ground clearance. Its powerplant was Büssing's successful 6-cylinder truck engines. It had a large steel armoured body and was crewed by 10 men. 6 of the crew operated three 7.92 mm machine guns, usually the MG 08 or MG 15nA. Some vehicles even received two 20 mm cannon.

In 1916, the A5P began production. Nevertheless, the German Army considered the Ehrhardt design more effective to fulfil the demanded operational tasks. As a result, production was stopped after three cars built. These A5P served in a column on the Eastern Front until 1917.

Specifications

References