German communication vehicle Sdkfz 251/18 Ausf A with crew ICM-35105

Description

NEW

During 1938, Hanomag developed the Sd.Kfz.251 armored personnel carrier based on the Sd.Kfz.11 artillery tractor. This fully armored vehicle had an open fighting compartment at the top and double doors at the rear. Its main armament consisted of MG 34 machine guns. Production of this armored personnel carrier began before the outbreak of World War II, with the Ausf A version as the first model, and continued with subsequent modifications until the spring of 1945.

During World War II, the Sd.Kfz.251 stood out as Germany’s main armored personnel carrier, also becoming the basis for various combat vehicles. The Sd.Kfz.251/18 (mittlerer Beobachtungspanzerwagen) variant was specially designed for observation and communications, with a map table mounted on the roof of the control room. Some of these vehicles remained armed with the MG 34 machine gun with shield. Some of these armored personnel carriers were also equipped with S.F.14Z rangefinders for observation, targeting and range finding.