SdKfz 251 Series Halftracks

This model represents the first type of the ubiquitious 251 Halftrack series built and is most easily distinguished from the Ausf. B version by the 3 visors on each side of the hull. Built from 1938, and along with the B & C's, 4650 were built, both the Ausf. A & B were in service from 1939 onwards and initially did not have a forward MG shield, although these were retrospectively fitted. Superceded by the Ausf. C from 1940, they remained in service for several years seeing action in Poland, France, Russia and North Africa. Although originally concieved as an Armoured Personnel Carrier these vehicles were used in many roles including Prime Mover for various ordnance.

This first type of the SdKfz 251 Halftrack series and is most easily distinguished from the later Ausf. B version by the three visors on each side of the hull. Along with the B & Cs, 4650 were built from 1938 onwards. Both the Ausf. A & B entered service in 1939 and initially did not have a forward MG shield, although these were retrospectively fitted. Although superseded by the Ausf. C from 1940, they remained in service for several years seeing action in Poland, France, Russia and North Africa. This version has the addition of the 37mm Pak36 for heavy support. These vehicles were issued to platoon leaders and minor variations existed in the shield configuration.

Like the Ausf. A this version initially had no MG shield although fitted retrospectively. (See BG01 for vehicle details.) Our model comes with the optional MG shield and contains only 10 parts including the hull.

The SdKfz 251 Ausf. B can be most easily distinguished from the earlier Ausf. A by the visors on each side of the hull. Two of the visors fitted tot he Ausf. A were removed in this revision. Along with the A & Cs, 4650 were built from 1938 onwards. Both the Ausf. A & B entered service in 1939 and initially did not have a forward MG shield, although these were retrospectively fitted. Although superseded by the Ausf. C from 1940, they remained in service for several years seeing action in Poland, France, Russia and North Africa. This version has the addition of the 37mm Pak36 for heavy support was issued to platoon leaders. Shield configuration varied.

This variant of the ubiquitous 251 Halftrack series was introduced in 1940 and superseded the Ausf. A & B's, remaining in production until 1943 although seeing action until the end of the war, being used on all fronts. The main visual difference was the redesigned front single plate nose armour.

Based on the Ausf. C version, this variant caBased on the Ausf. C version, this variant carried 7 or 8 crew and a pair of small assault bridges plus other equipment for the Panzerpioneer Company They often carried heavier weapons for fire support and our model has the 2.8cm Gerlich sPzB41 squeeze bore anti-tank gun supplied.rried 7 or 8 crew and a pair of small assault bridges p...

When in 1942 the Panzer IV was up-gunned to take the KwK40 L/43 gun, the original armament was made available for other uses. This model depicts the Ausf. C production version of the 251 series produced between 1940 and 1943, 150 of which were modified in 1942 to use these 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 Guns and thus becoming the Schutzenpanzerwagen Later this configuration was used on the D chassis. Popularly known as the "Stummel" (Stump), they were used as support for Heavy Armour Infantry Companies and saw action on all fronts.

The Ausf. C variant of the SdKfz 251 Halftrack series was introduced in 1940 and superseded the Ausf. A & B. It was in production until 1943, but remained in service on all fronts until the end of the war. The main visual difference was the redesigned front single plate nose armour.

The 37mm PaK 36 Anti-Tank gun was quickly found to obsolete against heavy armour but they still were very useful in the close support role and from 1940 onwards many were added to halftracks for platoon leaders vehicles.