What model Sd.kfz. 251 is this?

[Remy Spezzano]

I know my Sd.Kfz.'s C and D models. But I have never seen this version before with the unusual design for the front engine plate and all the bolts sticking out everywhere on the outer surface.

The images are screen captures from a French wartime newsreel. The halftrack was emerging out of the from of a German Luftwaffe transport plane.

Has anyone ever seen this design before?

[Satcong101]

Is it a Model B 'Hanomag'?

[mark67]

Remy,

It looks like pretty standard Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf C with riveted hull. That's why the front engine armor plate is bended. Vast majority of Ausf C had welded hulls but not all of them.
http://www.pietvanhees.nl/251/period...ing-detail.jpg

HTH

[Lennard]

251

hi,

The only riveted body maker was the Czech company of Bohmemia Boehm-Leipa and they supplied bodies for Skoda chassis, rivets were only applied to the "C" model body, by the time the "D" body was being produced, the body maker had started welding.

As for the photos of the captured vehicles, for sure it shows a riveted 251 that should be the Bovington Tank Museum 251/8 Ausf C example, and is from North Africa. But it sure looks like ABERDEEN MD stencilled on the engine bonnet ??? .


cheers leonard paul

[Lennard]

251

Hi,
The photo of the captured 251 ausf C is indeed the one that went to the USA for Aberdeen PG, its just a huge coincidence that both the Bovington Tank Museum and Aberdeen Museum both had captured Czech rivetted construction SdKfz 251's from North Africa.

cheers lennard