Dragon Armor Sd.Kfz.251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug) Ausf C. Hanomag with 3.7cm PaK 35/36

No. 60637, Vintage year - 2012, Scale - 1:72

Unit - Infantry Division Grossdeutschland

Campaign - Kurland 1944

Markings - tan with brown and green camouflage with No 232 in black and white outlines with cross on lower hull. 

Model - The 251/10 was also called the Schutzenpanzerwagen which had anti-tank capabilities with a 37mm PaK 36 gun, which had a range of about 1,200m. The gun was made by Rheinmetall in 1936 and was also called a "door knocker" as it was rather ineffective against the heavier Allied tanks that evolved during the war but was light and mobile and still afforded some infantry and anti-armor support. Sometimes the upper portions of the shield were removed in order to fool observers who thought it just had a standard machine gun. The Ausf. C was made in 1941 and introduced a new flat engine nose plate that was 14.5 mm thick (without an access trip but with a simple hole for the manifold). Other simplifications included the rear access doors. Engine modifications included the removal of the front hood cooling grid and lateral access traps, replaced by large open ventilation boxes. The lower part of the hull was modified to increase the compartment draw. The rear muffler storage boxes were relocated to the rear and the mufflers were also completely modified. The rearview mirror was relocated from the driver side vision slit to a lower position. The headlights were not fixed directly to the chassis and the bumpers removed and replaced by towing hooks. Production for this version in 1941 was almost 390 vehicles but an increase in production in 1942 to around 1,200.

Role - this infantry support/special purpose vehicle played an integral role to the Blitzkreig thesis as the Sd.Kfz.251 replaced the Sd.Kfz.11 (prime mover for the 105 mm Howitzer and 37 mm Flak). The Waffenamt requested an armored vehicle that would carry a platoon of Panzergrenadiers and their equipment that could keep up with the Panzer Divisions. Each mechanized infantry corp. would require 100 of these vehicles which should offer protection from small arms fire and artillery shrapnel. Armament included two MG-34 machine guns for defense and direct support. It was technically a "Medium Assault Armored Vehicle" that possessed off-road ability. Its top speed was 53 km/h.

Condition - new with minor shelf wear on cardboard box. 

Thank you for your interest.