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.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a Sd. Kfz. 251 half-track was attached to the 97.Jager-Division, which saw action defending Bohemia in 1945. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-inches
Width: 1-inch

Release Date: November 2006

Historical Account: "Bohemian Rhapsody" - In WWII, one of the lesser known divisions fighting amongst the ranks of the Wehrmacht was the 97.Jager-Division. This unit had fought on the Eastern Front in the Kursk offensive of 1943. Afterward, it fought well in the long retreat through the Ukraine, until it was transferred to Slovakia in October 1944. It ended the war in the pocket east of Prague.