Dragon Armor 1:72 Sd. Kfz.251, Ausf D, Pz.Gren.Div. LAH, Kharkov 1943, No. 60236

Description: Dragon Armor Sd.Kfz.251/10 (Schutzenpanzerwagen) Ausf. C HanomagNo. 60337, Vintage year - 2007 Scale - 1:72 Unit - Pz.Gren.Div. LAH - Leibstandarte Campaign - Kharkov 1943 - LAH spent 1942 refitting as a panzergrenadier division. The three SS Panzergrenadier divisions (LAH), Das Reich and Totenkopf were to be formed with a full regiment of tanks rather than only a battalion. The collapse of the front around Stalingrad and the encirclement of the German Sixth Army created a threat to Manstein's Army Group Don. Manstein requested reinforcements to halt the Soviet attack near Kharkov. The SS Panzer Corps was ordered east to join Manstein's forces. Arriving at the front in late Jan. 1943, the LAH was engaged in fighting in and around Kharkov as part of Hausser's SS Panzer Corps. In March 1943, the division participated in the recapture of Kharkov. On 12 March 1943, the LAH made progress into the city's center by breaking through the Soviet defenses in the northern suburbs. By the end of the day, the division had reached a position just two blocks north of Dzerzhinsky Square. The 2nd Panzergrenadier Regiment's 2nd Battalion was able to surround the square by evening despite heavy casualties. The square was renamed "Platz der Leibstandarte." The city finally fell on 17 March. The division was pulled back to rest and refit and the commander, Sepp Dietrich, was promoted to form a new Corps, the 1st SS Panzer Corps Leibstandarte, and the LAH was to supply all the senior officers to the new headquarter. At the same time a new SS division would be formed from the Hitler Youth and LAH would supply the regimental, battalion and company commanders (12th SS Panzer Division - Hitlerjugend). Model - Ausf D - This model was introduced in the spring of 1943 as the "Neue" vs. the previous "Alte" version. The modifications included many changes in production design. The number of armored panels was reduced from 19 to 9, permanent stowage boxes with padlocked access traps were added, replacing the rear mufflers. Simple vision slits, simple flat engine hood panels with relocated air intakes under the hull, simplified reverse sloping rear end with flat door panels and many other modifications allowed the simplification of construction while offering the same protection, and it was far less labor-intensive. The Ausf D was more and more required for ad hoc modifications and conversions due to a dramatic increase in the need of fire support platforms of all kinds. Markings - white gray winter camouflage with cross on side hullThe vehicle is overall panzer gray with winter white camouflage. It has the Balkenkreuz painted black on each hull side. The LAH markings appear on front and rear of the vehicle. Outstanding weathering and intricate detail from the MG-34s, vehicle interior, tools, rifles, mirrors, hand rails, tracks and bogies. 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. Its top speed was 53 km/h. As per above, later in the war, the anti-tank role became ever more critical due to the increased limitations in quantity of available German armor as well as fuel. Condition - Like new with minor shelf wear on box. This model is from my personal collection - no dust - smoke free home. I will be listing additional Dragon Armor Models over the next few weeks. Please reach out should you have a specific model you are seeking to complete your collection. There is a good chance I may still have it. I will combine shipping costs on multiple purchases and offer local pick-up.

Price: 54.95 USD

Location: San Diego, California

End Time: 2024-11-13T17:28:09.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.95 USD