The Zundapp KS750 was a purpose-built motorcycle created for the burgeoning German military machine. In fact, the KS750 was designed from the onset to survive the rigors of combat and travel over most types of off-road areas. It had incredible torque, which enabled it to tow large loads along paved roads and some types of off-road conditions. It was equipped with a sidecar, which enabled it to carry a lone passenger.

The first KS750's were issued to the Wehrmacht in 1941 and were produced right up until the end of the war, when a series of bombing raids destroyed the Nuremberg factory in 1945. By war's end, approximately 18,500 were produced.

Pictured here is a 1:10 scale German Zundapp KS 750M Beiwagen motorcycle attached to a Steib bw 40 sidecar that was served with the Deutsches Afrika Korps in North Africa. Painted in a scintillating desert camouflage pattern. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 8-1/4-inches
Width: 6-1/2-inches
Height: 4-1/2-inches

Release Date: June 2016

Historical Account: "With the Fox" - The Afrika Korps was formed on February 19th, 1941, after the German Armed Forces High Command (OKW) had decided to send an expeditionary force to Libya to support the Italian army, which had been routed by an Allied counteroffensive, Operation Compass. The German expeditionary force, commanded by Erwin Rommel, at first consisted only of the 5.Panzer-Regiment and various other small units. These elements were organized into the 5.Leicht-Division when they arrived in Africa in February.

In the spring, the 5.Leicht-Division was joined by the 15.Panzer Division, though it did not arrive until Rommel had already re-taken most of Cyrenaica and gone back over to the defensive. At this time the Afrika Korps consisted of the two divisions plus various smaller supporting units, and was officially subordinated to the Italian chain of command in Africa (though Rommel had conducted his offensive without any authorization).

On October 1st, 1941, the 5.Leicht-Division was redesignated as the 21.Panzer Division, although it was still attached to the Afrika Korps. During the summer of 1941, the OKW invested more command structure in Africa by creating a new headquarters called Panzer Gruppe Afrika. On August 15th, Panzer Gruppe Afrika was formally activated with Rommel in charge, and command of the Afrika Korps was turned over to Ludwig Cruewell. The Panzer Gruppe controlled the Afrika Korps plus some additional German units that were sent to Africa, as well as two corps of Italian units. (A German "group" was approximately the equivalent of an army in other militaries, and in fact Panzer Gruppe Afrika was redesignated as Panzer Armee Afrika on January 30th, 1942.)