Sd.Kfz. 2 – Kleines Kettenkraftrad (kl.K.Krad)
Sd.Kfz. 2 (kl.K.Krad) was the standard designation of a small (kl.) tracked (K.) motorcycle (Krad) intended primarily as a light tractor and cable layer. It was first deployed in the landings in Crete in 1941. German Fallschirmjäger parachute and airborne troops used the Kettenkrad, as it was popularly know, to tow 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 40/2 recoilless guns and light anti-tank guns, and to transport ammunition.
Available Scale Model Kits
Sd.Kfz. 2 – NSU HK101 – kleines Kettenkraftrad
- Kettenkrad, 1:32 Britains 9780
- Kettenkrad, 1:35 Tamiya 35029
- Kettenkrad with Püppchen anti-tank launcher, 1:35 DRAGON Models 6114
- Kettenkrad with 37 mm anti-tank gun, 1:35 NITTO KAGAKU
- Kettenkrad with Infantry Cart trailer, 1:48 Tamiya 32502
- Kettenkrad with Starthilfeanhänger, 1:48 Tamiya 32533
- Kettenkrad with Driver and Passenger, 1:72 Hasegawa MT13
- Kettenkrad with 3 Fallschirmjäger Crew, 20 mm SHQ GV21
- Fallschirmjäger Hand Cart, 20 mm SHQ GV22
- Kettenkrad, 20 mm RAFM
- Kettenkrad with Sonderanhänger 1, 1:87 Trident 90124
- Kettenkrad and 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 40/2, 1:100 Roskopf 60
- Kettenkrad (× 4), 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures GE402
- Sonderanhänger 1 trailers, 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures GSO26
- Kettenkrad (× 4), 1:285 GHQ G40
- Kettenkrad (× 2), 1:300 Heroics & Ros G098
Sd.Kfz. 2/1 – NSU HK101 – small Cable Layer
- Kleines Kettenkrad für Feldfernkabel
Sd.Kfz. 2/2 – NSU HK102– large Cable Layer
- Großes Kettenkrad für schwere Feldfernkabel
Technical Specifications
- NSU HK101 (kl.K.Krad)
- Designation: Kleines Kettenkraftrad
- Engine: Opel Olympia, 4-cylinder, I-I-W-C, 1478 cc, 26.9 kw @ 3400 rpm
- Maximum Speed: 80 km/h
- Transmission: 3 Forward 1 Reverse × 2, controlled differential.
- Brakes: mechanical
- Tires: 3.50-19
- Trackwidth: 170 mm
- Length: 3000 mm
- Width: 1000 mm
- Height: 1200 mm
- Weight: 1235 kg
- Crew: Driver and 2 Passengers
- Production: 1940–1944
Bibliography
- Hinrichsen, Horst: German Military Motorcycles in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht 1934–1945
Historical Employment
- German Army, 1941 – May 1945
- Ammunition transport
- Tractor for 2.8 cm Panzerbüchse 41
- Tractor for 10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 2
Related Films
- Private Ryan, an award-winning war film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damen, and Tom Sizemore. American Rangers and Paratroopers use an abandoned Kettenkrad to lure enemy tanks and infantry into an ambush near an important bridge somewhere in Normandy.
Museum Exhibits
Kl. Kettenkrad, Gelbbraun con Graugrün, Technik-Museum Sinsheim, Germany
The Kettenkrad tracked motorcycle is an unusual military vehicle which deserves a place in any model collection.