This is another great book in Ampersand’s Visual History Series by prolific author David Doyle. The hard cover book is almost entirely photographs, with a brief introduction and text captions on the photos.

The book’s introduction describes the development history of the Sd.Kfz. 251 half-track starting with the Sd. Kfz 11, which would form the basis for the later half-tracks. Production of the Sd.Kfz. 251 started in 1939 as the Ausf. A, followed by the Ausf. B in September 1939, and the Ausf. C in January 1940. A new body style was developed December 1942, designated the Ausf. D, that would become the most numerous of the variants.

Manny variations of the Sd. Kfz 251 were developed as modifications of the basic Sd. Kfz 251 vehicle. These variations are included in the book:

• Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf A
• Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf B
• Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf C
• Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf D
• Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Rocket launcher
• Sd.Kfz. 251/2 Mortar carrier
• Sd.Kfz. 251/3 Artillery-towing vehicle
• Sd.Kfz. 251/4 Small filed howitzer tow vehicle
• Sd.Kfz. 251/5 Engineer vehicle
• Sd.Kfz. 251/6 Radio command vehicle
• Sd.Kfz. 251/7 Engineer/bridge vehicle
• Sd.Kfz. 251/8 Ambulance
• Sd.Kfz. 251/9 7.5cm Canon
• Sd.Kfz. 251/10 3.7cm PaK 36
• Sd.Kfz. 251/11 Field telephone vehicle
• Sd.Kfz. 251/16 Flamethrower
• Sd.Kfz. 251/17 2 cm Kw.K 38 automatic canon
• Sd.Kfz. 251/20 Infrared searchlight
• Sd.Kfz. 251/21 Antiaircraft gun mount
• Sd.Kfz. 251/22 7.5cm PaK L/46
• 2cm Flak 38 auf SPW Antiaircraft vehicle
• 7.5cm PaK42 L/70-armed half-track.

Each of these models and variations are illustrated in black-and-white war-era photographs of the vehicles in action. Most of the photographs are full page and display the different models in field conditions.

The book is an excellent history and reference for the Sd. Kfz 251 with its many variations. The period photographs and many wartime settings provide some great modeling and diorama ideas. This is an excellent reference book on the Sd. Kfz 251. Thanks to Ampersand for continuing to publish their great reference books and for providing this review sample to IPMS.