"If the tank succeeds, then victory follows."
- Major-General Heinz Guderian, "Achtung Panzer!"

The term Schwerer Panzersphwagen (Heavy armored reconnaissance vehicle), covers the 6 and 8 wheeled armoured cars Germany used during the Second World War. In the German Army, armoured cars were intended for the traditional cavalry missions of reconnaissance and screening. They scouted ahead of mechanized units to assess enemy strength and location. Their primary role was to observe rather than fight enemy units, although they were expected to fight enemy reconnaissance elements when required.

Loosely based on the hull of the Sd.Kfz 231/6-Rad vehicle. The hull was modified to swap the main driver & reverse driver/radio operator positions in order to place the engine at the rear and the 3 axle truck chassis replaced with a pair of 2 axle 4 wheel trucks, for an eight-wheeled, all wheel drive, all wheel steering chassis to improve off road capabilities and maneuverability. The turret was also altered to a hexagonal shape for increased internal volume. Armament was unchanged.

Dragon Armor has done it again by producing another brand new item! Its an Sd.Kfz.231 and it features all-new toolings. The unique shape of this 8x8 vehicle is beautifully captured, and the miniature portrays a vehicle fighting from an unidentified unit on the Eastern Front in 1941. Its painted in a typical panzer gray color scheme, and this armored car is ready to perform reconnaissance missions across the vast Russian steppes ahead of the all-conquering panzer divisions! Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-1/4-inches
Width: 1-1/4-inches

Release Date: November 2013

Historical Account: "Opening Salvoes" - Unternehmen Barbarossa (Operation Barbarossa) was the codename for Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, which commenced on June 22nd, 1941. The operation was named after Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire.

The opening phase of the campaign lasted from June 1941 to December 1941, with the original goal of rapidly conquering the European part of the Soviet Union, west of a line connecting the cities of Arkhangelsk and Astrakhan, often referred to as the AA line (see the translation of Hitler's directive for details). The failure of Operation Barbarossa, it could be argued, resulted in the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany, and was a turning point for the fortunes of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. Most significantly of all, Operation Barbarossa opened up the Eastern Front, which ultimately became the biggest theatre of war in human history, with some of the largest and most brutal battles, deadliest atrocities, terrible loss of life, and miserable conditions for Soviets and Germans alike.