The Sonderkraftfahrzeug (Sd. Kfz.) 251 half-track had its origins in the same requirement as the smaller and lighter Sd. Kfz. 250. Intended as an armored personnel carrier, the Sd. Kfz. 251 entered service in 1939, and quickly became the standard means of transport for the panzergrenadiers. As it turned out, the Sd. Kfz. 251 was an especially useful vehicle, not only capable of keeping up with the newly formed panzer divisions but also providing invaluable support as well. All told, there were 22 special-purpose variants built, including the menacing-looking Stukavoss ("infantry Stuka"), which mounted a series of rocket launchers on the outer sides of the vehicle. Other variants included a flame-thrower, anti-tank, and communications vehicle, as well as an observation post, ambulance, and infra-red searchlight carrier. Despite suffering from early reliability problems, the Sd. Kfz. 251 was produced by the thousands, eventually becoming a trademark of the German panzertruppe on all fronts.

This half-track was one of the specialist vehicles that were involved in Operation Barbarossa - the massive German invasion of the Soviet Union that involved an estimated 2.6 million German soldiers on the opening day alone, including Pioneers and combat engineers.

This 1:72 scale replica of a Sd. Kfz. 251/7 carried twin bridge sections for crossing small obstacles such as anti-tank ditches and helping to breach fortifications. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-inches
Width: 1-inch

Release Date: January 2007

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.