Dragon Armor 1:72 Sd. Kfz.251/22 Ausf D, Western Front 1945, No. 60489

Description: Dragon Armor Sd. Kfz. 251/22 Ausf D "Pakwagen" - Western Front 1945 - Rare No. 60489, Vintage year - 2011, Scale - 1:72 Unit - Unidentified Campaign - Western Front 1945 Markings - Tan, brown and green camouflage Model - Sd. Kfz. 251/22 Ausf D. Half-track with high velocity PaK40 L/46 (auf Mittlerer Schutzenpanzerwagen) 75mm Anti-tank gun - toward the end of the war, every available field gun was mounted atop a vehicle to produce a self-propelled anti-tank weapon. In this case, a modified PaK 40 anti-tank gun was built with a trimmed shield so it could be mounted directly on the standard Sd.Kfz.251 chassis. This "Pakwagen" was one of the best anti-tank support vehicles used as operations turned into defensive actions along both fronts of the war. The range of the gun allowed the vehicle to be relatively safe from well-camouflaged and pre-arranged positions. However, the chassis was never designed to handle the extra weight or blast shock and recoil, leading to many mechanical breakdowns and excessive structural damage. But this version was given top priority by Hitler in December 1944. The mount comprised two H-shaped beams welded to the floor on the middle of the rear compartment. The shield was modified with trimmed angles and the platform was made of flat triangular plates holding in place the original gun cradle. The drive sat on the left, aiming with the standard PaK 40 optics. Traverse was 18 and 19 degrees and elevation ranged from -3 to plus 22 degrees. Around 22 rounds (HE and AP) were stored with extra rounds often put in loose containers or available space. It is guessed that perhaps 1,200 vehicles were made using the Ausf D bodies. The Ausf D was introduced in the spring of 1943 as the "Neue" vs. the previous "Alte" version. The modifications included many changes in production design. The number of armored panels was reduced from 19 to 9, permanent stowage boxes with padlocked access traps were added, replacing the rear mufflers. Simple vision slits, simple flat engine hood panels with relocated air intakes under the hull, simplified reverse sloping rear end with flat door panels and many other modifications allowed the simplification of construction while offering the same protection, and it was far less labor-intensive. The Ausf D was more and more required for ad hoc modifications and conversions due to a dramatic increase in the need of fire support platforms of all kind. 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. As per above, later in the war, the anti-tank role became ever more critical due to the increased limitations in quantity of available German armor as well as fuel.Condition - new with minor wear on box and original tag on bottom of box. Thank you for your interest.

Price: 140.5 USD

Location: Alexandria, Virginia

End Time: 2024-11-08T20:06:10.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD