| Scale | 1/72 |
|---|---|
| Type | Armored vehicle |
| Period | The Second World War (1939-1945) |
| Country | Germany |
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The semi-tracked Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251 (SdKfz 251) was an armored fighting vehicle designed and first built by the German company Hanomag during World War II. They were released throughout the war.
The first serial samples of this machine arrived in the 1st tank division in 1939. There were a total of four main models (A - D) in many cases. The original idea was to create a vehicle that could be used to transport a squad of infantry on the battlefield, protected from enemy small arms fire and with some protection from artillery fire. The open top meant that the crew was still vulnerable, especially to high-explosive shells and shell fragments.
The first two models were produced in small quantities. Variant C had a longer production run, but was a rather complex machine to manufacture, consisting of many inclined plates, providing reasonable protection against small arms fire. The D version has a much simpler design and is easily recognized by the one-piece sloping rear (with flat doors).
Although it was designed for off-road use, it had some limitations as the front wheels were not driven.
The standard version of the armored personnel carrier was equipped with a 7.92-mm machine gun MG34 or MG42, mounted in the front part of the open compartment, above and behind the driver. The second machine gun was usually mounted behind the anti-aircraft gun.
Variants were made for specialized purposes, including with anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank missiles (triple Panzerschrecks mounted on either side of the vehicle), and a version with an infrared search light used to identify potential targets for associated Panther tanks equipped infrared sensors.
Sdkfz 251/22 ausf D is the subject of this kit. This is what the US Army would call a Gun Motor Carriage, as it filled the landing compartment with a 75mm PaK 40 anti-tank gun, making it a useful gun and escape tool.
glue and paint are not included in the set
