German Personnel Carrier, Hanomag (Zvezda)

This is the Zvezda 3572 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Personnel Carrier, Hanomag, Sd.Kfz.251/1, Ausf. B’.

German Personnel Carrier, Hanomag, Sd.Kfz.251/1, Ausf. B

History

In 1937 Hanomag was appointed by the German Wehrmacht to develop a medium semi-tracked armored personnel carrier, capable to accompany the tanks of the Panzer Divisions. Production started in 1939 and continued until 1943.

The 251 served as basis for many variants, over 4000 units were built in total. This is the basic version armed with two 7.92mm MG-34’s. The vehicle reached a maximum speed of 50km/h and had a range of 300km. It was able to carry 12 Panzer grenadiers.

Source: Zvezda website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

  • Hobbymesse 2014

German Hanomag Sd.kfz.251/1 (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35020 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Hanomag Sd.kfz 251/1’.

German Hanomag Sd.kfz 251/1

History

In 1938, the German Army decided to develop an armoured personnel carrier on the basis of the 3-ton half track (HL-KL-9p). Hanomag Hannoversch Machinenbau (AG) in Hannover was ordered to develop the running gear and Bussing-NAG in Berlin was to develop the superstructure to be armoured.

Design work was hastened on the model of existing armoured cars and a prototype was completed at the end of 1938. The Germans tested the prototype in the Kumahsdorf Proving Ground and accepted it for mass production. Thus was born the Armoured Personnel Carrier Hanomag Sdkfz 251/1 which, we may safely say, was a synonym for the German mechanized corps that showed activity in all battlefields throughout the war.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer