Artifacts
Sonderkraftfahrzeug Sd.Kfz. 2 Kleines Kettenkrad
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Model | Sonderkraftfahrzeug Sd.Kfz. 2 Kleines Kettenkrad HK 101 |
| Class | Military Vehicle |
| Type | Half-Track Motorcycle |
| Use | Military |
| Era | 1940-1945 |
| Gallery Focus | WWII European Theater |
| Manufacturer | NSU Motorenwerke |
| Year | 1942 |
| Country | Germany |
| Ownership | CF Inc. |
| Gallery Location | Eastern Front |
| Status | Operational, Offline |
Additional Photos
The Sd.Kfz.2 Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101 (aka “Kettenkrad) was a German Light tractor. the Kettenkrad’s tracked suspension, steered with handlebars, makes it look like a cross between a motorcycle and a snowmobile. Its off-road capabilities made the Kettenkrad popular with German troops in North Africa, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.
The Kettenkrad started its life as a light tractor for airborne troops. The vehicle was designed to be delivered by Junkers Ju 52 aircraft, though not by parachute. The vehicle had the advantage of being the only gun tractor small enough to fit inside the hold of the Ju 52, and was the lightest mass-produced German military vehicle to use the complex Schachtellaufwerk overlapped and interleaved road wheels used on almost all German military half-tracked vehicles of World War II.
The Sd.Kfz 2 was used in every front of the war and even towed Me-262 jet fighters to the end of runways to save fuel.
