Kettenkrad with Infantry-Cart - & Goliath Vehicle - 1/48

Kettenkrad with Infantry-Cart - & Goliath Vehicle

1/48 scale plastic Model Kit of the german Wehrmacht Sd.Kfz. 2 Kettenkrad including a Goliath Vehicle (Sd.Kfz. 302) and an Infantry-Cart.

About the Model:
- 1/48 scale high quality plastic model of the Kettenkraftrad as used during WWII
- Overall length of Kettenkraftrad: 64mm
- Set includes accurately detailed Goliath demolition vehicle and infantry cart
- Includes loads of accessories such as two types of grenade launchers, fuel drum, jerrycans, ammunition boxes, rifles and 1 uniformed driver figure
- 5 sets of markings to reproduce both the Germany army or Luftwaffe vehicles.

History:
Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkraftrad:
The German Army produced a unique halftrack motorcycle deployed to the front lines known as the NSU Kettenkraftrad. Originally intended to be used by airborne units, this vehicle went into mass production and was used for a variety of functions such as a power generator, transportation vehicle, communications, and towing. One of the Kettenkraftrad's highlight features was its three forward gears and one reverse gear, permitting the half-track to take on rugged terrain. The 4-cylinder 1478cc Opel-Olympia engine was capable of 36hp output, 1.5 times that of the famous Kübelwagen, and could tow close to 4 tons. With its excellent off-road and towing performance, the Kettenkraftrad was widely used for towing artillery and trailers to and from the battle lines or furthermore to shunt aircraft.

Infantry Cart:
In 1941, the German army issued an order for an improved infantry cart to replace the overweight, old-fashioned, small wooden trailer that was currently being used by some units. The result was a remarkable lightweight cart that could be easily towed by just two men, a horse, a motorcycle or a Kettenkraftrad. Since its first deployment to
mountain and airborne units in 1942, the infantry cart was used all throughout WWII, displaying superior versatility and practicality.

Sd.Kfz.302 Goliath Demolition Vehicle:
In the summer of 1940 in German occupied France, the German army recovered and researched a small demolition carrier originally developed by the French manufacturer Kégresse. Based on this research, the Borgward Company completed a remote control operated self-detonation vehicle known as the Sd.Kfz.302 Goliath. The Goliath ran on two electric motors and encased 60kg of explosives. An 800m-long cable enabled remote control running to its target and remote detonation as well. While the Goliath was small it weighed in at a heavy 370kg. This new weapon was first deployed temporarily in April of 1942 at Sevastopol in Southern Russia. In October of the same year it was deployed to the North African front for testing in warm climates. However, the Goliath was not formally used in battle until July of 1943, when it entered the Battle of Kursk. Afterwards, the Goliath was used extensively for the purpose of attacking defensive positions and mine clearing. A total of 2650 machines were produced by January 1944.