The Sonderkraftfahrzeug (Sd. Kfz.) 251 half-track had its origins in the same requirement as the smaller and lighter Sd. Kfz. 250. Intended as an armored personnel carrier, the Sd. Kfz. 251 entered service in 1939, and quickly became the standard means of transport for the panzergrenadiers. As it turned out, the Sd. Kfz. 251 was an especially useful vehicle, not only capable of keeping up with the newly formed panzer divisions but also providing invaluable support as well. All told, there were 22 special-purpose variants built, including the menacing-looking Stukavoss ("infantry Stuka"), which mounted a series of rocket launchers on the outer sides of the vehicle. Other variants included a flame-thrower, anti-tank, and communications vehicle, as well as an observation post, ambulance, and infra-red searchlight carrier. Despite suffering from early reliability problems, the Sd. Kfz. 251 was produced by the thousands, eventually becoming a trademark of the German panzertruppe on all fronts.

There were four main model modifications to the Sd.Kfz. 251 (Ausfuhrung A through D), which formed the basis for at least 22 variants. The initial idea was for a vehicle that could be used to transport a single squad of 10 panzergrenadiers to the battlefield protected from enemy small arms fire, and with some protection from artillery fire. In addition, the standard mounting of at least one MG 34 or MG 42 machine gun allowed the vehicle to provide suppressive fire for the rifle squad both while they dismounted and in combat.

The troop compartment was protected by armor on its sides, but open on top. The armor plates were designed to provide protection against standard rifle/ machine gun bullets (such as the 7.92x57mm Mauser). The front-facing plates were 14.5mm thick; the sides were V-shaped 8mm thick plates, steeply angled to increase their effective protection against horizontal fire. This level of armor provided protection against normal (non-tungsten) rifle AP round, which could pierce about 8mm of vertical armor.

This particular 1:32 scale replica of a German Sd. Kfz. 251/1 half-track was attached to the 12.SS Panzer Division, which saw action in the fierce fighting for Normandy. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 7-inches
Width: 2-1/4-inches
Height: 2-inches

Release Date: October 2005

Historical Account: "Heroes Road" - Formed from volunteers of the Nazi youth movement, the average soldier in the SS Panzer Division Hitler Jugend was barely 18 years of age when it was constituted in 1944. Led be such veteran field commanders as Kurt Meyer and Fritz Witt, 12.SS Panzer was sent to France in April 1944 where it was stationed south of Paris when the Allies landed in Normandy that June. It was quickly sent north where they first saw action at Caen and then again at Le Capiquer. It withdrew from the front on July 11th, after suffering grievous losses at the hands of Allied units.

It next saw action at Falaise, where it was tasked with keeping the exit to the Falaise pocket open as long as possible so that other German units could withdraw in good order. While it achieved its objective, the Division was almost completely destroyed and had to be re-formed in Germany with new volunteers. The unit fought in the Ardennes during the bitter Battle of the Bulge, and again in Hungary before ending the war in Austria in May 1945.