Vehicles
SdKfz 251 Ausf. D.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/6/7/25677248/1389596607.jpg)
There were four main models (Ausf. A through Ausf. D), which formed the basis for at least 22 variants. The initial idea was for a vehicle that could
be used to transport a single squad of panzergrenadiers to the battlefield protected from enemy small arms fire, and with some protection from artillery fire. In addition, the standard mounting of at least one MG 34 or MG 42 machine
gun allowed the vehicle to provide support by fire for the infantry squad once they had disembarked in battle. Positive aspects of the open top included greater situational awareness and faster egress by the infantry, as well as the ability to throw grenades and fire over the top of the fighting compartment as necessary while remaining under good horizontal cover. Downsides to the open top were a major vulnerability to all types of plunging fire; this included indirect fire from mortars and field artillery as well as depressed-trajectory small arms fire from higher elevated positions, lobbed hand grenades, and strafing by Allied aircraft. The first two models were produced in small numbers. A and B model can be identified by the structure of the nose armor which comprises two trapezoids. The lower trapezoid has a cooling hatch. The C and D models had a single hexagonal front armor
panel. Ausf. A through C had rear doors of the vehicle bulging out. The C variant had a larger production run, but was a quite complex vehicle to build, involving many angled plates that gave reasonable protection from small arms fire. From early 1943, the Ausf D variant was developed with a purpose of reducing the number of angled body plates down to 50%, simplifying the design and thus speeding up the production. Ausf D can be easily recognized by its
single piece sloping rear (with flat doors). The standard personnel carrier version was equipped with a 7.92 mm MG 34 or MG 42 machine gun mounted at the front of the open compartment, above and behind the driver. A second machine gun could be mounted at the rear on an anti-aircraft mount. Variants were produced for specialized purposes, including with anti-aircraft guns, light howitzers, anti-tank guns and mortars or even large unguided artillery rockets, as well as a version with an infrared search light used to spot potential targets for associated Panther tanks equipped with infrared detectors. Another potentially good design feature of the Sd.Kfz.251 was the large track area, with the characteristic "slack track" design with no return rollers for the upper run of track, and overlapping and interleaved main road wheels common to virtually all German halftracks of the period. This lowered ground pressure and provided better traction, giving the Sd.Kfz.251 better cross country performance than most other nations' half-tracked vehicles. The interleaved and overlapping main road wheels, however, shared a chief problem with the Tiger I and Panther main battle tanks that also used such road wheel configurations - in muddy or winter weather conditions, such as those during a Rasputin's mud season or the coldest Russian winter conditions, accumulated mud and/or snow could freeze solid between the road wheels, possibly immobilizing the vehicle. Our halftrack represents a SdKfz 251 "D" number 222 in service with the 12th SS Panzer Division in the Fall of 1944, it is a modified Post-War Czech OT 810. One of the Best Representations in the Country.
be used to transport a single squad of panzergrenadiers to the battlefield protected from enemy small arms fire, and with some protection from artillery fire. In addition, the standard mounting of at least one MG 34 or MG 42 machine
gun allowed the vehicle to provide support by fire for the infantry squad once they had disembarked in battle. Positive aspects of the open top included greater situational awareness and faster egress by the infantry, as well as the ability to throw grenades and fire over the top of the fighting compartment as necessary while remaining under good horizontal cover. Downsides to the open top were a major vulnerability to all types of plunging fire; this included indirect fire from mortars and field artillery as well as depressed-trajectory small arms fire from higher elevated positions, lobbed hand grenades, and strafing by Allied aircraft. The first two models were produced in small numbers. A and B model can be identified by the structure of the nose armor which comprises two trapezoids. The lower trapezoid has a cooling hatch. The C and D models had a single hexagonal front armor
panel. Ausf. A through C had rear doors of the vehicle bulging out. The C variant had a larger production run, but was a quite complex vehicle to build, involving many angled plates that gave reasonable protection from small arms fire. From early 1943, the Ausf D variant was developed with a purpose of reducing the number of angled body plates down to 50%, simplifying the design and thus speeding up the production. Ausf D can be easily recognized by its
single piece sloping rear (with flat doors). The standard personnel carrier version was equipped with a 7.92 mm MG 34 or MG 42 machine gun mounted at the front of the open compartment, above and behind the driver. A second machine gun could be mounted at the rear on an anti-aircraft mount. Variants were produced for specialized purposes, including with anti-aircraft guns, light howitzers, anti-tank guns and mortars or even large unguided artillery rockets, as well as a version with an infrared search light used to spot potential targets for associated Panther tanks equipped with infrared detectors. Another potentially good design feature of the Sd.Kfz.251 was the large track area, with the characteristic "slack track" design with no return rollers for the upper run of track, and overlapping and interleaved main road wheels common to virtually all German halftracks of the period. This lowered ground pressure and provided better traction, giving the Sd.Kfz.251 better cross country performance than most other nations' half-tracked vehicles. The interleaved and overlapping main road wheels, however, shared a chief problem with the Tiger I and Panther main battle tanks that also used such road wheel configurations - in muddy or winter weather conditions, such as those during a Rasputin's mud season or the coldest Russian winter conditions, accumulated mud and/or snow could freeze solid between the road wheels, possibly immobilizing the vehicle. Our halftrack represents a SdKfz 251 "D" number 222 in service with the 12th SS Panzer Division in the Fall of 1944, it is a modified Post-War Czech OT 810. One of the Best Representations in the Country.
BMW R71 and Sidecar
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/6/7/25677248/1389597607.png)
The BMW R75 is a World War II-era motorcycle and sidecar combination produced by the German company BMW. In the 1930s BMW were producing a
number of popular and highly effective motorcycles. In 1938 development of the R75 started in response to a request from the German Army. Preproduction models of the R75 were powered by a 750 cc side valve engine, which was based on the proven R12 engine. However it was quickly found necessary to design an all new OHV 750 cc engine for the R75 unit. This OHV engine later proved to be the basis for subsequent post-war twin BMW engines like the R51/3, R67 and R68. The third side-car wheel was driven with an axle connected to the rear wheel of the motorcycle, effectively making it a three-wheeled vehicle. These were fitted with a locking differential and selectable road and off-road gear ratios through which all four and reverse gears worked. This made the R75 highly maneuverable and capable of negotiating most surfaces. A few other motorcycle manufactures, like FN and Norton, provided an optional drive to sidecars but with very limited success. The BMW and its rival Zundapp were both widely used by the Wehrmacht in the Eastern Front and North African Campaign. Zundapp and BMW, on the urging of the Army, agreed upon standardization of parts for both machines. The standardization program meant that machines that were produced by BMW and Zundapp used almost 70% of the same components. This simplifies the supply of spare parts for these vehicles, many of which are still in the hands of historic motorcycle enthusiasts. These
vehicles are desirable as collector's items because of their complex and durable technology. A well-restored R75 can be still used for everyday purposes, on or off-road without problems. Our motorcycle combination represents a late war bike fitted with an MG-42 mount and assigned to the 12th SS Panzer division in the Fall of 1944, it is a Chang-Jiang 750 clone of the BMW R 71/75 model.
number of popular and highly effective motorcycles. In 1938 development of the R75 started in response to a request from the German Army. Preproduction models of the R75 were powered by a 750 cc side valve engine, which was based on the proven R12 engine. However it was quickly found necessary to design an all new OHV 750 cc engine for the R75 unit. This OHV engine later proved to be the basis for subsequent post-war twin BMW engines like the R51/3, R67 and R68. The third side-car wheel was driven with an axle connected to the rear wheel of the motorcycle, effectively making it a three-wheeled vehicle. These were fitted with a locking differential and selectable road and off-road gear ratios through which all four and reverse gears worked. This made the R75 highly maneuverable and capable of negotiating most surfaces. A few other motorcycle manufactures, like FN and Norton, provided an optional drive to sidecars but with very limited success. The BMW and its rival Zundapp were both widely used by the Wehrmacht in the Eastern Front and North African Campaign. Zundapp and BMW, on the urging of the Army, agreed upon standardization of parts for both machines. The standardization program meant that machines that were produced by BMW and Zundapp used almost 70% of the same components. This simplifies the supply of spare parts for these vehicles, many of which are still in the hands of historic motorcycle enthusiasts. These
vehicles are desirable as collector's items because of their complex and durable technology. A well-restored R75 can be still used for everyday purposes, on or off-road without problems. Our motorcycle combination represents a late war bike fitted with an MG-42 mount and assigned to the 12th SS Panzer division in the Fall of 1944, it is a Chang-Jiang 750 clone of the BMW R 71/75 model.