Dragon Armor Sd.Kfz.251/7 Ausf C PionierPanzerwagen - Kursk
No. 60277, Vintage year - 2007, Scale - 1:72
Unit - Unidentified but insignia denote 10th Panzer Division - however the 10th did not participate in Kursk. However, it could have been the 9th Panzer Division which had one less line following the "Y" - YII vs. YIII.
Campaign - Kursk 1943 - The 9th Panzer Division was sent to Orel and transferred to Army Group Center, where it participated in Operation Citadel and the Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943 as part of XLVII Panzer Korps, 9th Army (Walther Model). Fighting alongside the 2nd, 4th and 20th Panzer Divisions and the 6th Infantry Division, it tried unsuccessfully to break through the Soviet defensive belt. The division suffered heavy casualties and advanced only 15 km. It finally abandoned its endeavor to seize Kursk and was later engaged in the German retreat to the Mius-Front. It covered the retreat of the 2nd Panzer Army and the 9th Army, north of Orel and Kirov, and then fought in a series of battles east of Bryansk at the end of August.
Markings - Tan with wavy dark green camouflage and German cross on upper side panel. Contains two machine guns and two bridge ramps. Division/tactical insignia on front armor panel and rear signifying that this hanomag belonged to 10.Pz.Div.
Model - The 7 Pionierpanzerwagen model was an engineer assault vehicle fitted with bridge ramps on a special fitting on the upper hull. 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. 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. Its top speed was 53 km/h.
Condition - new with minor wear on box
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