Semi-tracked medium armored personnel carrier

Mittlere Gepanzerte Mannschaftskraftwagen (Sd Kfz 251), later Mittlere Schutzenpanzerwagen Ausf A, B, C

Other designations: HL KL 6p, Great 90

When Germans planned creation of their Panzer Divisions it was decided that an infantry need accompanying tanks into battle.  Therefore it has been decided that an armored personnel carrier need to be designed.  The idea was to fit an armored body on a medium semi-tractor.  Hanomag designed The chassis and Russing-NAG designed the body.  The basis of the new vehicle was Zgkw 3t (Sd Kfz 11).  Production started in June 1939 end ended at the end of the war.  During the course of production four modifications A, B, D and C were produced.   The vehicle had a well-designed and shape body, at rear it had double doors that allowed quick and safe exit for personnel.  It was armed with two MG 34 machine guns and equipped with the radio.  Original variant “A” had three vision slits on each side and antenna mounted on the front right side.  On Ausf B side ports were available for driver and commander only.  Ausf C replaced previous variants in 1940 and was in production until late 1943 when Ausf D had replaced it, which was in production until the end of the war.  The armored plate was introduced for the front mounted MG; it featured single armor plate at nose, armored cowls to cover the engine side intake.  Ruther then that all these variants were basically the same vehicle.   Though produced by different manufacturers, which produced both welded and riveted bodies, it was widely known as Hanomag after it designer and main production company. 

Ausf D

In September 1943 Sd Kfz 251 went through numerous of changes designed to simplify production with the goal to increase production output as much as possible.

While the chassis still the same design of armored body was changed.  Designers reduced the number of separate armor plates.  At the rear the body was simplified by installation of reverse slopped plate that increased the length of the vehicle on 18 cm / 7”, engine air intake incorporated under engine side armor that allowed cowls removing, mad guards were replaced with light metal stowage boxes permanently attached to the body.   Weight increased for 190 kg / 418.5 lbs. Otherwise it was similar to previously produced Ausf C.   Visually it is very easy to differentiate Ausf C and D.   In 1944 three more company entered in production of this vehicle.

“Hanomag” had at least 23 variants that were equipped and armed depends on task it was intend to accomplish.   It includes basic personnel carrier, ambulance, ammunition supply vehicle, artillery observation/command posts, mortar carrier, platform for different artillery pieces that actually makes it an SPG, engineering vehicles, etc.   Such variants were designated as (Sd Kfz 251/ …) with the variant number.  For example personnel carrier were 251/1, engineering vehicles 251/7, the Luftwaffe had 251/17 with 2cm flak mounted on it, 251/22 was armed with the 75mm gun as StuG IV.

The major disadvantages were: narrow tracks limited cross-country ability, underpowered engine, and difficulty with engine maintenance due to limited access to the engine compartment.

Practically all branches of Nazi Germany Armed Forces were supplied with “Hanomags” it saw combat on all fronts and in all major battles.  A model of Sd Kfz 251 simply a must to any collection that featured WW II armed vehicles.  This vehicle is the first true armored personnel carrier.

Sd.Kfz. 251/10

Mittlere Schutzenpanzerwagen (3.7 cm PaK35/36 L/45)) Great 910, Weight 8.02 tons, Crew: 5, ammunition 168 (PaK), 1,100 (MG), 40 (PzB)

“From 1940, the Sd Kfz 251/10 was issued as the Zugfuhrerwagen to platoon leaders so as to provide some heavy support.  Minor variations existed in the arrangement of the 3.7 cm PaK shield”.  This model presented with a small shield.  Dragon also has a model with standard PaK shield.

Manufacturer: Hanomag, MNH, Schichau, Wumag, Weserhutle, Borgward

Production: 4,650 of Ausf  A, B, C – from June 1939 to September 1943

Crew – 2

Weight – 7.81 tones/ 17,127 lbs

Dimensions  – L  5.8 m / 19’ 1/3”, W 2.1 m / 6’ 10.67”, H 1.75 m / 5’ 8.9”

Speed – 53 km/h /32 mph

Range – 300 km / 181 miles

Armament – usually front and rear mount MG 34, specialized variants had a variety of different weapons mounted.

Radio – basic radio was FuG Spr Ger 1, however depends on variant a different type or types were installed.

Armor -  (mm/angle) Hull – Front 14.5 /21, side 8/35. rear 8/30, top 6/90

               Superstructure – Front 10/33, side 8/35, Rear 8/40, top open