1/35 Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad Early Production w/Infanteriekarren

The Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad (full name Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101) was one of the most original vehicles deployed by the Wehrmacht during World War II. This lightweight, semi-tracksuit motorcycle was developed in response to the need for a mobile, off-road vehicle capable of operating in challenging conditions where conventional motorcycles failed. The design combined a motorcycle-like steerable front wheel with tracks at the rear, which provided good manoeuvrability and passability through mud, snow or sand. The Kettenkrad was used in many roles, from towing light guns and trailers to laying cables for communications units to moving men and material quickly over difficult terrain. It was manufactured by the NSU company and over 8,000 were produced in total by the end of the war. The Kettenkrad is of interest to modellers because of its compact size, unusual construction and wide range of use on all fronts.

The 1:35 scale Dragon kit depicts the Early Production variant and also includes the Infanteriekarren, a simple two-wheeled infantry carriage that was standardly towed behind the Kettenkrad. This cart was used to transport ammunition, weapons, engineer tools, supplies or wounded, greatly increasing the utility of the entire assembly. The combination of the Kettenkrad and the trolley well captures the daily logistical reality of the German troops who had to provide backup forand movement in conditions where heavier vehicles could not pass or were too conspicuous.

Scale 1:35 is ideal for detailing smaller vehicles and allows for easy incorporation into dioramas - for example, scenes on a dirt road, in the woods, at a command post, or while resupplying a firing position. The early production version features specific design details that changed in later series, adding another dimension of historical accuracy. The model can be supplemented with crew or infantry figures, or other equipment depending on the chosen situation. The finish is usually a basic field grey (Panzergrau) or the later three-colour camouflage (if the builder chooses a later period), complete with wear, dust and mud appropriate to heavy field use. The package does not include the paints or adhesives needed for assembly.