One of the core concepts the Panzer Division was for an armored personnel carrier that could provide the division’s infantry with some degree of protection, while also being able to keep up with the tanks. As early as 1935, plans were being made to create this armored personnel carrier based on a medium half-track chassis: the SdKfz 251.

The resulting vehicle was designated Mittlerer Schützenpanzer (SdKfz 251). The SdKfz 251 featured an unpowered wheeled front axle and a tracked rear suspension with interleaved road wheels. It was powered by a Maybach HL 42 6-cylinder water-cooled gasoline engine that generated 100hp.

The firms of Hanomag and Büssing-Nag manufactured three different models – Ausf. A, B, and C – through late 1943. The Ausf. D differed significantly from the earlier models, in that the complex angled plates of the armored hull were redesigned to simplify production, along with a number of other significant improvements.

A total of 23 variants of the SdKfz 251 were built, including:

Medium armored personnel carrier  that carried 12 men and was equipped with two 7.92 mm machine guns
Mortar carrier
Ammunition carrier
Armored ambulance
Flame thrower vehicle
Self-propelled 75mm anti-tank gun
Radio command vehicle
Command post vehicle

The vehicle on display is a variant fielded to armored engineer and other armored units, and is fitted with racks to carry small assault bridges, mines, and other heavy equipment. It carried two machine guns and a 7.92mm Panzerbüchse 39 anti-tank rifle. This weapon fired a 7.92mm tungsten core bullet that had a diameter of 13mm that tapered down to 7.92mm. This vehicle was a gift from the US Armor Center at Fort Knox.