The Sd.Kfz. 251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 234 – special motor vehicle) was a family of armoured cars, first prototyped in 1942 and after the first engine proved too noisy the designers settled upon the Tatra 103 diesel engine. This model is of probably the most well known version – the Sd.Kfz 234/2 and was armed with a 5cm L/60 gun. It was produced from late 1943 to mid 1944 and its combination of manoeuvrability over both road and field, allied to a very effective 50 mm gun made it a most formidable fighting vehicle.