Dragon Armor 1:72 Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf C, Grossdeutschland, Kursk 1943, No. 60139

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Dragon Armor 1:72 Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf C, Grossdeutschland, Kursk 1943, No. 60139:
$52.50

Dragon Armor Sd.Kfz.251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug) Ausf C. Hanomag
No. 60139, Vintage year - 2006, Scale - 1:72
Unit - Panzer Grenadier Div. \"Grossdeutschland\" (Greater Germany Division) - Germany Heer unit that was one of the best-equipped divisions (along with Panzer Lehr Division) in the war and served exclusivity on the Eastern Front.
Campaign - Kursk 1943 - In January-February 1943, Grossdeutschland and XLVIII. Panzerkorps, along with the II SS Panzer Corps took part in the Third Battle of Kharkov. The division fought alongside other elite units including the 1.SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 2.SS Division Das Reich and 3.SS Division Totenkopf during these battles. After the fall of Kharkov, the Grossdeutschland was pulled back and refitted. In 19 May 1943, with the addition of armored personnel carriers and Tigers, the division was redesignated Panzer Division Grossdeutschland, though it had more armored vehicles than most full strength panzer divisions.The newly re-equipped division was subordinated to the XLVIII Panzer Corps (part of Fourth Panzer Army) and took part in the Battle of Kursk. After Kursk, the division was transferred back to Army Group Center and resumed its role as a mobile reserve. The unit saw heavy fighting around Karachev before being transferred back to XLVIII Panzer Corps in late August. For the rest of 1943, the unit retreated across Ukraine and in 1944 into Romania, where it took part in the First Battle of Targu Frumos. Later the division fought in East Prussia with Army Group South Ukraine and was seriously diminished in battles at the Memel bridgehead. By 25 April 1945, the division was destroyed in the battles of Pillau.
Markings - Light tan base with striped dark brown and green lines with cross and tactical insignia on side and rear armor panels with GD stahlhelm on front and rear as well as a black spade (like the French who used playing card symbols to specify the platoon number with the spade for 1er peleton for example) on the driver door side. The unit marking on the front and back probably represented Kompanie 2 of a half-track regiment (square with front wheel and rear tracks - as motorized method of transport = halftrack).
Model - The Ausf. C was made in 1941 and introduced a new flat engine nose plate that was 14.5 mm thick (without an access trip but with a simple hole for the manifold). Other simplifications included the rear access doors. Engine modifications included the removal of the front hood cooling grid and lateral access traps, replaced by large open ventilation boxes. The lower part of the hull was modified to increase the compartment draw. The rear muffler storage boxes were relocated to the rear and the mufflers were also completely modified. The rearview mirror was relocated from the driver side vision slit to a lower position. The headlights were not fixed directly to the chassis and the bumpers removed and replaced by towing hooks. Production for this version in 1941 was almost 390 vehicles but an increase in production in 1942 to around 1,200.
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. It\'s top speed was 53 km/h.
Thank you for your interest.