WWII German Sdkfz.251/17 Ausf.D Pionierpanzerwagen

Plastic model kit of a German half-track vehicle, the Sd.Kfz. 251/17 Ausf. D, featuring a 2 cm Flak gun on a pedestal mount
   Limited edition  

• 1:72 scale
• Includes metal parts (Flak barrel, marking poles) and 3D-printed parts (printed tires, one-piece printed tracks, internal engine structure)
• Unassembled and unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Sd.Kfz. 251/17 Ausf. D, equipped with a 2 cm Flak gun on a pedestal mount, was the final and most modern anti-aircraft variant of the Sd.Kfz. 251 medium armored personnel carrier. Development began in the second half of 1944 to provide effective protection for Panzer and Panzergrenadier units against Allied fighter-bombers. Unlike earlier versions that featured an open Flak mount and folding side walls, the Ausf. D utilized a compact pedestal mount, allowing the 2 cm weapon to be installed within the largely unmodified fighting compartment. This resulted in better vehicle protection and simplified manufacturing.

The main armament consisted of a 2 cm KwK 38 or 2 cm Flak 38 mounted on an armored pedestal with a 360° traverse. In addition to its anti-aircraft role, the vehicle's high rate of fire made it excellent for engaging infantry, lightly armored vehicles, and field positions. Ammunition capacity was approximately 600 rounds.

The vehicle was based on the Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. D chassis, featuring a simplified hull design and the 100 hp Maybach HL 42 TRKM engine. With a top speed of around 52 km/h, the vehicle could easily keep pace with Panzer units, even across rough terrain. Although the Sd.Kfz. 251/17 was officially introduced, its production remained limited due to the difficult wartime situation. By early 1945, approximately 244 vehicles were recorded in the Wehrmacht's inventory. Today, this late-production version ranks among the most interesting—and less frequently depicted—variants of the Sd.Kfz. 251, as it combined the high mobility of the armored personnel carrier with effective anti-aircraft and support weaponry.