COBI Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf. A Set 2552

COBI's Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. A is built from 592 blocks, in the dark grey of the war's opening years. The wheels move on realistic tires, the track links work, the storage compartments and rear double doors open, and machine guns and accessories are fitted. Two figures are included, a mechanic and a technician, plus a brick with the vehicle name. Pad-printed throughout; no stickers.

Everyone calls it a Hanomag, and that is only a third right

Allied troops called it a Hanomag, Allied intelligence reports called it a Hanomag, and video games still do. Hanomag designed the chassis and built some of them.

They also came from Büssing-NAG, Borgward, Adler, Auto Union, Skoda and Weserhütte — seven manufacturers in total, once German industry had been pushed to produce as many as physically possible. At least 15,252 were built, which makes it by a wide margin the most-produced German half-track of the war.

The name stuck because the first ones examined by Allied units had Hanomag plates on them, and nobody went back to correct it afterwards. It is a small illustration of how military identification actually worked: a name gets written down early, circulates through reports, and becomes what the vehicle is called regardless of what came off which production line.

Twenty-three versions

The 251 was built in four models, A to D, and 23 official variants: personnel carrier, mortar carrier, anti-tank, flamethrower, radio, ambulance, rocket launcher, infrared searchlight and more. The Ausf. A in this set is the earliest, with the faceted early hull, and it is the rarest.

That variety makes it a good base for anyone who prefers modifying to following instructions.

In the COBI range

Set 2551 is the Limited Edition of the same vehicle, with four figures including a war reporter and a numbered certificate.

Specifications

Pieces: 592 · Figures: 2 · Working track links · No stickers