Both vehicles share the same large hull and are capable of respawning full 9-man squads. The Sd.Kfz.251/9 only needs to adjust internal seating forward slightly to free up enough space. Besides, this vehicle is locked at BR 3, and only holding 4 passengers makes it far too underpowered currently.
Exactly, it deserves to carry six passengers.
No, that would make it too overpowered.
Agreed. It’s way too weak with only four passengers at BR 3.
0voters
The original limit of 4 passengers was likely made to match the capacity of the Bren Carrier for superficial balance. However, the Bren Carrier has an actually compact body yet can still spawn full 9-man squads, which proves interior space is not the decisive factor here. Since even smaller vehicles can support full squad deployment, there is no need to keep this unnecessary restriction. The hull of the Sd.Kfz.251/9 is undeniably spacious enough to comfortably hold at least six infantrymen.
That makes sense. It’s a good thing yet still a bit of a pity.
I really hoped it could hold six passengers, but I just found out its historical standard capacity is five. Even so, five seats are definitely better than only four.
I suddenly wonder if we can increase the elevation angle of the machine gun mounted on the Sd.Kfz.251. Its current aiming range is restricted by the steering mechanism underneath in the game model.
If we adjust the gun grip position away from the obstruction, could its elevation be raised to around 60 degrees? Besides, I’m also thinking if it’s possible to mount a 15mm autocannon in place of the original weapon.
Germans factory produced and field converted a number of unique sdkfz 251 vehicles.
There is the Sdkfz 251/21 with 3 heavy MG, it was a hybrid IFV/AA vehicle.
It’s also in War Thunder.
However, I don’t think that Germans otherwise mounted heavy machine guns in place of the MG34/42.
These vehicles weren’t originally intended to get too close to the enemy, plus the gun shield limited the firing arc, so in game we probably already get the maximum the animation allows.
Ironically, one could argue it having a small crew encourages players to stay back and use it as infantry support instead of parking it somewhere safe - in the end the squad is very small and its infantry power is thus weak.
That being said, Universal Carrier also has a smaller crew - but that’s fair because of its small size that makes it able to hide in cover or even inside of buildings.
One argument could be made that since sdkfz is locked to BR3 it could get its crew increased to 5 without much problems, but then again I dont think its 4 man limitation is devastating. In the end the vehicle is unique and a fair limitation makes sense for it.
