beamjockey | Entries tagged with armor

Coming home from Musecon Sunday night on Interstate 88, I was startled to find a large tractor-trailer in front of me, burdened with two sinister brown shapes.

It dawned on me that not only did I recognize those shapes-- a World War II German Army halftrack and a tank destroyer-- but that I had met them before.

Here I am, in 2008, standing in front of the Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer. It belongs to the Illinois re-enactment group known as the 2nd Panzer Division, which operates a number of German military vehicles.

Behind the Hetzer is the SdKfz (Sonderkraftfahrzeug but nobody spells it out) 251/1 halftrack. Actually this started life as a postwar model-- the Czech army continued to produce and operate this design as the OT 810-- but it has been modified to resemble its German ancestor.

I was surprised that both heavy vehicles (17 tons for the Hezer, 8 tons for the 251) are carried on a single transporter. I suppose their owner was bringing them home from some re-enactment outing.

Last year I attended World War II Days at Midway Village Museum near Rockford, Illinois. I had a wonderful time, and learned a few things, and took lots of photos too.

Renaissance Faires are fine things but I am fundamentally an Industrial Age person. In my teenage years, I steeped myself in the history of WWII; the whole day was a treat for my inner 15-year-old. Especially the halftracks.

So I am planning to go to Rockford again, this coming Sunday. The event runs from 11 to 4 (battle at 2:30). Will I see you there?

Not long ago, I posted a SdKfz 251 halftrack picture.

polydad asked:

"Nice toy. Does the bang-bang on top still work?"

The answer is yes, and no.
( Secrets behind cut )
Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251 halftracks^* were used by German motorized infantry in World War II. This is actually an OT-810 manufactured in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War and used by Warsaw Pact armies well into the 1960s. The reenactors have modified it to the configuration of an earlier Wehrmacht model; for example, the Czechs had (very sensibly) added an armored roof to the open bed.

* Yes, there really is a sdkfz251.com. I love the Internet.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a re-enactment event, World War II Days, at Midway Village near Rockford, Illinois. I joined my colleague Roger, who greatly enjoys History Channel documentaries, and his family.

Midway Village is a group of 19th century buildings moved together to make a little village among woods and prairie. General store, blacksmith shop, gazebo, town hall, and so forth. One weekend a year, the 1940s invade.

American and German soldiers mingle in the streets with 21st century spectators. Look carefully and you can also find British, Polish, and Italian units. Vehicles, cannons, and tents are on display, and if you're wondering about what your're seeing, you can usually get an answer by asking someone in a uniform. Gunfire rings out here and there as skirmish scenarios are enacted at various locations. Two big battles are staged each afternoon.

I have long been interested in armored vehicles and military aircraft. I have seen World War II vehicles in many museums, but this was a chance to observe them on the hoof, so to speak. (Oh-- there were a few mounted troops, too, both German and U.S.) I had a wonderful time, and even picked up a valuable book from ~~the hucksters' room~~ a vendor's tent, useful in my Heinlein studies.

Thanks to a friend of a friend, at the end of the day I even got to take a ride in one of the vehicles. Forgive my vagueness; as the waiter told the customer finding a fly in his soup, "Don't make a fuss, sir, or everyone in the restaurant will want one!"

As you might imagine, I shot hundreds of photos. Here are a few of my favorites.