Hanomag 251 - Steed of the Panzergrenadiers

I need to go to sleep.. But this is more important!

This is legit the highest production value Lloyd’s ever made in that single ad block.

"Hanomagnituitous." That's why we like Lindybeige.

May I also note that halftracks weren't only just used for their simplicity compared to tanks. It was also because it is much faster to train drivers to drive with a steering wheel than to use the differential track movements like in tanks.

Ah, be grateful, poor cameraman was obviously trying to record you in your full grace :/

the only channel where I don't skip the ads. Lindy is so entertaining.

"Presentation isn't everything, you know?" he says as he proceeds to blow me away with entertaining and fantastical presentation.

When I was stationed in Germany there was a Skdf251 at the post museum. A buddy and I climbed in it and had a look around. It is a highlight of my life to this day! The hanomag is my favorite half track to ever be built!

The only man who has ever made a mid programme commercial promotion entertaining .

"Rather than show you the whole vehicle, my cameraman preferred to leave this space available for captions"... was the exact moment the coffee came out my nose.

His level of enthusiasm and knowledge make his videos both entertaining and informative. Doesn't mean I don't think he's a bit barmy. Observation, more than judgement. Keep on, sir👍👍👍

The "primitive back door" on the late model falls open naturally thus shielding egressing troops. It's not a mistake and like ANY door or hatch one is expected to stay out of the way. A ramp (with expensive, precision actuators for a vehicle expected to have a short combat life before being destroyed) would be pointless while lightweight doors would be reasonably easy to close while offering some protection if left open. The interleaved road wheels made for a better ride but much slower repairs when an inboard wheel was damaged (tracks and wheels of the era were very short-lived). Long tracks throw easily so using front wheels was a good choice for the era. Half-tracks (as correctly pointed out!) were never intended as AFVs and using them as such is why US halftracks were called "Purple Heart boxes" despite being mechanically superior ( such that Israel used them until quite recently).

The day when Lloyd learns that he is too tall to operate his dream tank.

That's me with my reenactment group on the MG at 2:09 Life goal complete, feature in a Lindy video.

German here, and i just want to say that i was genuinely impressed by your correct pronounciation of the "Sonderkraftfahrzeug". Also, thanks for your awesome and interesting content on your channel.

"Do you have three years to spare to go to university?" Well... that's where I'm supposed to be right now...

I just recently realized how fucking large this channel is and it's literally just a passionate guy talking about military history. Love it, goes to show Youtube isn't all bad, there are good channels out there.

6:50 (almost) perfect German pronunciation. A blessing to my German ears

It's much smaller than I thought. It always looks so big in games and movies.

Those compartments under the seats weren't meant for personal effects. Under either bench (there are two hinged and two static benches in each vehicle) there are fourteen slots for ammo cans. Each german ammo can was meant to carry 250 rounds, and 250 times 28 is 7,000 rounds of ammunition. These cans were meant to stay with the vehicle, but I'm sure they'd go missing from time to time in combat. The little white balls on posts above each wheel indicate the width of the vehicle at its widest point. If something knocks one of those balls around, it will hit the walls of the vehicle. Sometimes those posts were removed and replaced with rearview mirrors. Each 251 had a slot for a radio above the passenger seat, along with an 8 foot radio antenna that was stored behind one of the benches. All 251s had bars to support a cover in case of foul weather, though a cover makes the already cramped interior even worse on top of trapping heat like no other. My entire gruppe managed to fit inside one original Sdkfz. 251 D but it was incredibly cramped. I'd hate to have to get in or out of one in a hurry. Lloyd managed to figure out the "head first" approach on his first try though. Anyways, the OT-810s are even more cramped than the 251s if you can believe that. Original 251s ride smooth and run quietly too, compared to OT-810s or 251s with aftermarket engines. While in the 251, the squad leader would serve as the crew commander, giving directions to the driver, whilst the machine gunner would man the forward facing shielded machine gun. Depending on the unit's logistical situation, the gun (or guns if the vehicle had a rear pintle mount) would stay with the vehicle while the squad had their own machine gun. Sometimes the 251 would support the infantry's assault, sometimes it would serve as a resupply point, and sometimes it would get the heck out of Dodge. The Wehrmacht and SS were incredibly flexible fighting forces, and individual companies were granted a lot of autonomy, so more things were situational than not. I can't wait until Lloyd gets into any of the other million types of halftracks in German service during the war