The American one is set up as an armored infantry carrier, twin .50 cal up front, two, single .30 Cals in the rear. Reimported after spending much of its life stuffed inside a barn outside Caretan, France.
the yellow German one is strictly infantry carrier. 1938 251 model. This one and it’s sister German one are heavily documented. It was part of the Afrika Corps until it died of a mysterious electrical problem outside of Tunisa in the fall of 1942. Was recovered from the desert in the 50s and restored in Stuggart. Then sat outside for decades and was eventually imported here in 1996.
the other German one is more intriguing. It’s a 1939 Stdz Famo 8/9 model. Weighs between 18-22 tons fully loaded. It’s set up as an armored munitions carrier for Panzers and a tigers. Has 360 degree, fully enclosed armored exoskeleton. 2.5 inch on the sides front and rear and slopped 15 degrees. 1 inch top , with double opening doors for ammunition loading. Equipped with a turret with 3/4 inch armored shields. The intriguing thing is it’s got a fully armored under belly. 3 inches thick, slightly a V bottom but with a shallow angle. It’s also set up with a built in salamander type diesel fuel heater in the cabin. The other thing is it’s an 12 cylinder, With a belt driven tiny super charger forcing air into what looks very similar to a hilborn Fuel injection system. It also has the ability to turn with either a steering wheel, or it can operate and lock each track independently and steer that way. This one was found on the north eastern Polish border by the now deceased Fred Ropkey (RIP) who until his death, owned the largest private collection of armored vehicles in the world and he also owned the Apollo 5 test capsule. This half track according to German records, gernaded its rear differential after getting stuck in deep mud in late February of 1943, during retreat from the Eastern front. Supposedly, this thing made it as far as Stalingrad before being abandoned in the retreat after the German defeat. this one is a beast, and Stdz Famo 9. Years ago, we found an NOS rear end for the ***** but to replace it, we have to cut out the armor plating. Which is a PITA
