The only known surviving running German vehicle from Stalingrad!

Dmitry from Bushmakow Restorations shows us this beautifully restored SdKfz 250 Mortar Halftrack - The only known surviving running German vehicle from Stalingrad!
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[@MyCaptainPugwash]

So Caitlin is one of a very, very, very, very, very small percentage of the world that has driven an SKDF 250 and driven a surviving German vehicle from Stalingrad. There might be chance more people gone to space.

[@hridgreximp6194]

I would tend to agree, hundreds have been to space

[@KonaCommuter]

@@hridgreximp6194 Nobody has been beyond the firmament 😛

[@Duffy3074]

Well done Caitlin!!

[@FrancSchiphorst]

i believe you forgot a couple very very very :)

[@stephencox4224]

Most probably the only woman who has done so that makes her more than likely the one and only one in the World to have done so, Certainly for the only surviving vehicle from Stalingrad. There probably would have been a number of Russian women who would have driven a captured vehicle back in the day back behind the lines seeing as they used women for everything from Snipers to Fighter Pilots and not sure about Tankers in Combat but more then likely bring new T34's to frontline units would have been one of the tasks for Female Soviet troops.

[@prikov1]

Even after 80 years German armor still looks beautiful.

[@jeffgeldean6537]

The Nazis were never lacking in style, right ?

[@prikov1]

Don't be a dick by inserting a political jab into a comment that was purely made to show admiration for a well built machine.

[@jeffgeldean6537]

@prikov1 who's being a dick. The SS uniforms were stylish as all hell. Etc, etc

[@prikov1]

@@Necromass Ok first off , you don't know me or what I think...Secondly the commies didn't have cool shit like the Germans.. thirdly...F.U.

[@drazoric2275]

Outfits, weapons, vehicles. Points in all categories. ​@jeffgeldean6537

[@eduardvandijk3431]

Even after 80 years, that is one bad ass looking vehicle!

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

I can only suggest you go see a psychiatrist. What was the purpose of that machine?

[@eduardvandijk3431]

wut? ​@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx

[@Ordo_Malleus]

you are right, is it the form, is it the color i don't know but something give these old vehicle a really cool and bad ass look.

[@Ercan-cy3we]

It kinda looks like something from star wars, a vehicle for stormtroopers or Darth Vader.

[@eduardvandijk3431]

@@Ercan-cy3we AT-ST! You're right.

[@Profitaenzer]

The engine sound ist just WOW - Thanks for saving this unique part of our technology. Greetings from Germany

[@nicholass3964]

That is the coolest looking military vehicle I've seen in years

[@rodrigo7046]

The Sdkfz vehicle series: 250, 251, 252, 231, 232, 233, 234, 221 and 222. They have their own indescribable magnetism.

[@orgonsolo6291]

Very cool looking indeed, and then forward eighty years, they drive past a shipping container there in the background and I realize that container is likely more bulletproof than that vehicle... Really fascinati g to watch IT drive around, would be really interesting to see IT out in Streep or rough terrain, looks like IT could pulk through very much

[@sunsetworms]

And totally useless

[@BillyJoeJimBob28]

This is a very cool looking vehicle indeed! Bet Ukraine could use 3 or 4 hundred of these. 😎👍

[@Bruce_9000]

@@sunsetworms It's still functional and mobile. It would still serve the same purpose years later albeit not half as good as modern equipment

[@jimmeroniuk8266]

WOW just WOW. Never realized how small these machines were. Thanks Kurt for including us.

[@fleuger99]

Different models were sized differently. This is one of the smallest.

[@shilopnamreg6468]

This is a mortar carrier, the troop transport variant is much larger, you’re probably thinking of that one.

[@user-hr1cp7wd3p]

Compact

[@RICKY-RIKON]

Yes! Always I thought those vehicles was nearly one truck size! Now compared to that blue commercial van, seen very small a little bit like the Italians little tanks used in the Africa korps time!

[@ziggypop79]

A lot less overweight people back then to drive these things

[@fancyultrafresh3264]

I have nothing but admiration for the man that restored this, and keeps it operational. What a fantastic glimpse at history.

[@MrSheduur]

The design of these SDKfz halftracks is the most unique vehicle design ever. Such a fascinating shape that these things had. They were menacing looking even though they were not that tough in terms of armor, but the shape looked almost futuristic for the time.

[@tierdropp7544]

They truly are a work of art design wise

[@Th.G.M.]

Thank you Dmitry and ream for this magnificent restoration! Greetings from Germany!

[@Nyllsor]

Dmitrys workshop is gold!

[@AmericanCracker69]

Dido from the United States. 👍

[@yattaran1484]

What a nice gentleman Mr.Bushmakow is for letting her drive this awesome rare vehicle !. I believe not so many women had chance to drive this historic halftrack.

[@ricksmith4736]

I don't let women drive ANY of my cars.... they are Bad juju when it comes to driving...

[@viandengalacticspaceyards5135]

I'd say, he knows how to talk to women....

[@Arbiter099]

@@viandengalacticspaceyards5135 Ladies like armor plating

[@jason-hy8ci]

Heck, not so many MEN have had the chance to drive one!

[@nickl9451]

You really think this is the FIRST woman Dmitry has shown around?

[@aaronvegh3034]

the most badass looking machine I've seen in a while. Looks very advanced for its time.

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

I can only suggest you go see a psychiatrist.

[@diesunddasDE]

@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xxbe quiet and please do not leave Palestine and leave us alone with our fun here..

[@Ihavpickle]

​@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xxGo spread your degenerate ideology somewhere else

[@VFella]

It just dawned on me that the shape of the lower part of the box looks similar to what we use nowadays in MRAPS. I do thnk that it was meant to deflect anti-personal mines. But it could also be to protect the troops from debris from the tracks and make the armour bullet deflecting. Awesome, and what a sound! These restorers have made a great job. Really a work of art.

[@fallschirmjager0000]

@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx Incredible machine!

[@zeusmaster6379]

Anytime you can restore one of these classic combat vehicles from WW2 to working condition it’s a win for everyone!

[@busterdee8228]

How many marketing managers get to say 'I did that.' Dmitry is a very generous man.

[@vrod665]

Holy crap. Dmitry - that is an absolute work of art. Thank you for preserving history.

[@shannonVwalker]

As an American kid watching videos on ww2 this machine is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for restoration and saving a piece of history. 🇺🇸 🕊🇩🇪

[@sammelplatzmilitaria]

Nice Vehicle😍 Greetings from Germany

[@migaudible6239]

we save your beautiful history.

[@avixs1543]

@@migaudible6239 umm I would call it beautiful history.... But the vehicles are definitely cool!

[@user-cu6ij1ui4i]

@@avixs1543 It is a beautiful history, there is thousands of years of German history outside of the small period between 1933-1945.

[@avixs1543]

@@user-cu6ij1ui4i Well I was refeering to this history behind the vehicle in question not the whole of germany's history.

[@hridgreximp6194]

What a beauty! And the engine sound… simply amazing!

[@Nyllsor]

I agree!

[@neilwilliams5173]

It reminds me of my old 45 harley davidson sound very unique love it

[@jimmillward3505]

What a nice guy Dimitry is, The halftrack was amazing

[@vintageofme1974]

What a marvelous piece of German engineering!

[@THE-HammerMan]

Dmitry, the restoration is top notch work. History saved and restored... Good job. Salute!!!

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Ein Traum . So ein Fahrzeug mit dem Hintergrund in dem Zustand . Absoluter Wahnsinn. Grüsse aus Deutschland

[@badschbenza8126]

Was würde ein Sammler für dieses Fahrzeug bezahlen?

[@jager894]

@@badschbenza8126Hunderttausende

[@Nick_B_Bad]

@@badschbenza8126shoot something with that history it’d be in the millions I bet.

[@ApriliaRacer14]

Gruß aus California!!!

[@rainerpatalong8403]

Sehr viel Geld würde ein Sammler zahlen

[@huwtindall7096]

That's awesome - surprised how little damage the tracks do to the grass too. I guess it's a lot lighter than a tank but would have still expected them to rip it up. Can only imagine how all the crew back in Carins are jealous of Caitlin now and not just for her glam nails!

[@BudoReflex]

Haha

[@D_U_N_E]

When you think about it, tracks are meant to distribute a vehicles mass over a wider area, so they should be expected on equivalent weights to do less damage than wheels.

[@svenr5235]

Germans always cared for the environment and people.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@svenr5235 Aaaw! you made A Funny...

[@williamzk9083]

@@D_U_N_EThe current German army Wiesel leaves no visible tracks in grass after half an hour.

[@gsherlock]

What a fantastic piece of military history, the engine sound transports you back in time.

[@Rumpelstoss333]

Extraordinary! Thanks. Greetings from Germany!

[@kineticdeath]

considering the importance of stalingrad for the entire soviet war, I bet the russians would pay a pretty penny to have the only functional version of their enemies vehicle in their big war museum. Absolute gem, I went to the Bushmakow Restorations website and read the article about this machine, what they found in the first place was literal scrap. Amazing job on the restoration. Looks utterly factory fresh

[@me.with.my.self.]

I think they just melted it for iron stairs or something else.

[@perrylc8812]

If they had one 😂

[@1999Almaz]

Nah, there's no such thing as "respect for my enemy" in Russia

[@outrun7455]

@@1999Almaz Yeah why would we respect nazi Germany when they look at our people as nothing more than dogs living in their “ lebenstraum “. There are many such Russians today who would probably knock your teeth out for even suggesting such a pathetic concept to them.

[@Anonymous-is6xu]

⁠​⁠@@1999Almaz now, pray tell, what kind of respect exactly do modern day Russians owe to the Germans after what they did on their land? The German Wehrmacht and SS facilitated the systematic mass destruction of almost every village on soviet land that they came across along with its inhabitants, and kept soviet POWs in open air prisons with no food as the German guards watched them cannibalize each other. And I don’t think I need to get into the horrible things the German army did to their women. Or did you forget this already, and you seriously think, like an utter fool, that the “disciplined and professional german army” did not wage a war of genocidal intent in a crusade for liebensraum, and that for this they deserve respect?

[@AgonicMarineTransportwwwboatha]

My grandfather drove one on the Eastern Front… thank for sharing and great job with the restoration.

[@imal5006]

А мой дедушка жёг таких как твой дедушка ;)

[@kapinio1]

​@@imal5006Sukkeltje

[@vb__channel]

​@@imal5006и под сталиным лежал, да?🤣

[@nguyenkhoi12a53]

@@imal5006 🤣

[@samuraiace454]

​@@imal5006чем сжёг? FPV-дронами?

[@brandonvessell4659]

German vehicles of WW2 always looked so sharp and edgey

[@borjarezola6302]

Most beautiful vehicle ever

[@orbitalair2103]

Wow, incredible. What a great group there in Czech republic keeping history alive and sharing it. Caitlin did great.

[@blazingbuddy4228]

Sdkfz halftracks are my favourite historical war vehicle!!! Great to know one has survived this long.

[@telluride4017]

Hats off to the person who did the restoration

[@liamzulficari8729]

🇩🇪 and their technology. One word!! Beautiful😻

[@dominicalbrecht7039]

Now that is an engineering thing of beauty..

[@MyLateralThawts]

I remember seeing a WW 2 documentary about Stalingrad and in the footage shown, early in the battle, was Sd Kfz 250 like this one moving towards the city. So there’s a slim possibility that historical footage of the actual AFV exists and has been seen for decades.

[@LuGer212]

I never knew that thing had actual indicator lights. *This makes me a happy German*

[@NorthbyWest]

Can't get enough of this vehicle. When you think of all the variants, some equipped with cannons, rockets and Infrared detection lights for nightfighting. And it still looks and sounds awesome today.

[@paulday-lh5mx]

What a beautiful restored military vehicle. Thank you for posting, and letting us see it.

[@keessonnema]

Imagine hearing these squeacking around the corner from where you lived. Terrifying and impressive. This is the first time I seen one, let alone a running and moving one! Simply amazing.

[@mikeconey2164]

It possibly would not be the first time, as, during WWll, both German troops and the SS/Gestapo visited the house I live in. The house belonged to the local mayor, and was a rendezvous, both for locals to listen to British broadcasts, and the local resistance (allegedly). Because of the importance of the house to locals, a large file of its history exists. A nearby villager owns it.

[@tonylovesducks2501]

@@mikeconey2164wo lebst du wenn ich fragen darf

[@k.g.b5816]

"Ready the anti tank rifle comrade!"

[@charlesfritz7327]

Thank you Dimitry for putting your time and energy into restoring this piece of history.

[@rubensaluz6468]

just beautiful! Thanks for this great sneak peak

[@JackFlemingFan1]

Thanks for posting yet another excellent video! The SdKfz 250 Motor Halftrack is something to behold and yet to see a running survivor from a major battle is fantastic! Thank you, Australian Armour & Artillery Museum for featuring it!

[@Javdoc]

*click click click* [halftrack] I died. 🤣 Seriously though, that's amazing. Truly a labor of love for this small community of history and armor buffs to restore and keep these pieces running. Much respect.

[@hjagger]

What a beautiful piece of machinary.

[@jody1367]

What an absolutely beautiful piece of German engineering. Wow!

[@iainburgess8577]

Wooow. Awe inspiring piece of history. The restoration is just.. incredible.

[@fleuger99]

Beautifully restored vehicle, truly a one in a million due to it being a Stalingrad survivor and because its running perfectly. Thanks for letting us enjoy this as well.

[@Fester_]

Great job all around, thanks.

[@ngarewyrd]

Those semaphore indicators look like they'd break on the first day of operation, they certainly broke often on my grandad's old Austin. what a crazy fragile thing to have on a military vehicle

[@Journeyman53]

Are they original or put on for road-worthy purposes?

[@John-dp1he]

trafficators! My parents had a couple of Daimler Conquest cars in the 60's and early 70's, My dad really liked them even though he didn't drive. The first one had trafficators that flicked out from the pillar between the doors each side. Coollest kid in school I was for a time if my mum had to drop me off in the car.

[@ReneNvt-se5lj]

All German armored cars from SDKFZ 221-261 had them, the half-tracks all had them, only the SDKFZ 250 B and SDKFZ 251 D no longer had them. Just look at original pictures and look for them.

[@danielstickney2400]

The trafficators may seem fussy and ridiculous, but that is the way they did it. It's hard to imagine those surviving the first trip through the brush.

[@SwedishEmpire1700]

Im in need of one of those for my Opel Olympia 1938, same model LOL

[@shaneblack4862]

Go Caitlin! What an awesome privilege to get the chance to drive such a rare and such a superbly restored vehicle. Fantastic stuff! And I'm so jealous.

[@citadel9611]

Very cool. Love how individuals are preserving this history on their own. Driving it around on the grass was a nice touch.

[@jeanjeanmich]

Thank you very much for the 4k footage.

[@sortius_]

Would have been nice to get Caitlin's view on driving it. Looks like it would drive like a car, but handle like a bus, with the visibility of a horse wearing blinkers.

[@mimo5383]

Simply beautiful.

[@shannonrinehart4635]

Congratulations on a beautiful restoration! It looks great!! Thank you for all the hard work you put into that and preserving history. Tchuss!

[@info1418]

OMG thats the coolest vehicle I have ever seen. Thank you so much to the people restoring this work of art and for showing it on YT. I cant beleive how smooth it drives!

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

Dmitry is one cool dude!

[@roblewis7186]

Dmitry seems like such a genuinely good person. And he has a true piece of history. Such a wonderful video!!!

[@Thunderboid]

i really enjoyed that! thank you for sharing!

[@brianmungermusic1744]

That was great. Thanks for sharing

[@getoffenit7827]

I would love to see you guys do a documentary on this vehicle! From how it was found,Its recovery and its restoration!! That would be 'half-track porn'!!

[@getoffenit7827]

Yeah..i know already ive seen other presentations...BUT..the very good ones are here...the Aussies ALWAYS tell good stories..DO IT!!

[@karlaiken6152]

Wonderful restoration. Most enjoyable to hear the actual engine revving up and the sinister clanking of the tracks and drive wheels..... Brings my miltary vehicles books to life!! Thank you so much..... from an ageing fan in Jamaica, West Indies.

[@stumpythedwarf8712]

Amazing vehicle, thank you for sharing!

[@missouraboatride7776]

Amazing vehicle and restoration. Thank you for sharing!!👍🏻👍🏻

[@herman7661]

What a beautiful video and a stunning vehicle. "If it looks right, it is right", and this thing just looks so right!

[@lotuselanplus2s]

Wonderful restoration, wow. Glad Caitlin got to drive the halftrack. Her joy in the end at driving it is there for all too see.

[@bobg6638]

Wow!! Incredible piece of history!

[@dreyegon]

Wow! To be able to hear one of these with my own ears. Amazing! Thank you!

[@stephenhill560]

Incredible. So many skilled engineers and restorers around the world thankfully

[@russwoodward8251]

Aaaamazzzing. To hear the old beast run was even more amazing. Thanks! Wow.

[@PL-rf4hy]

This has got to end up in a movie. Beautiful restoration. Really brings history alive.

[@Voss2120]

What a priceless vehicle. Totally beautiful.

[@johnnewman366]

Cool! Now that one of us Aussies have driven it, means we sort of half own it now, hey? You should say to Dmitry that if he ever considers selling it, Aus Armour gets first right of refusal, yes?? Would look good doing the circuit at an AusArmourFest!!

[@roqford]

Very nice video, and very brave owner of this historic gem!😊

[@imelmedina621]

Wow! An amazing survivor.✌️

[@LeLeon78]

What a beauty. Great moving part of history.

[@neilfoster814]

Wow, what an awesome vehicle! Respect to the guys who have put heart and soul into restoring this iconic half track.

[@evilfingers4302]

Is there a commercial version of the 250 because I would LOVE to have one 🤪

[@barbadoskado2769]

it's surreal seeing one of these, thank you for the video! fascinating vehicle and a machine of war

[@mwallace2922]

Just awesome 👍👍😎 thanks for posting this.

[@reedsilvesan2197]

For me,I expect any vehicle, especially one from Stalingrad, to have battle scars. I see a very well done restoration ,being a man that has repaired equipment for many years, I can understand and appreciate the time you needed to do this. WELL DONE

[@mattg6282]

This shows you how impressive German engineering is. After all those years of being underwater and surviving the hell of Stalingrad, it’s still going

[@rufiorufioo]

It was restored. The motor is different of course. The frame was the only surviving part. He said all aluminum was gone also. German engineering is impressive of course but no engine would survive underwater for years and work.

[@tomlee7956]

I know a lot of people that own German cars and they're in the shop all the time... TOYOTA owner

[@Hollywoodtelevision]

@@tomlee7956Toyota is not that good

[@tomlee7956]

@@Hollywoodtelevision Interesting opinion. Can I ask you to, please, tell me which planet you are from? TOYOTA is the most reliable car on earth, year after year...at least that is what the car experts tell us as well as the car owners. I have a 1988 Toyota Corolla FX with 610,000 miles, 1996 Toyota Tacoma LX with 330,000 miles, a 2008 Toyota Yaris with 190,000 miles and a 2015 Toyota Tacoma with 65,000 miles. I have had them all since new, drive them all every week and have had zero problems.

[@Hollywoodtelevision]

@@tomlee7956 if you use a bmw right than it is unbreakable I have a bmw e39 with 950.000 km no issues no problems Germans have the best cars I never saw really a good Toyota in comparison too a bmw or Mercedes

[@thehumbleone1983]

Love this beauty great restoration work from the guys who worked on this and thanks to Dimtry for sharing also thank you Australian Armour and Artillery channel for this great video

[@josephstevens9888]

What a beautiful machine... so well restored!

[@speckledjim_]

Its amazing how form follows function, its menacing, but what a stunning vehicle

[@ChrisHipkiss]

And there is a fine example of trust! In UK it would be behind barriers and looked at from 50ft away only! Fantastic vid thanks to all.

[@junkers66]

That's not a quite fair comment. Bovington runs a lot of older vehicles and tanks each year 2x

[@ChrisHipkiss]

@@junkers66 tosh!

[@davids.9707]

Absolutely Beautiful Restoration!

[@roberteschenberg8672]

This is beautiful! Thank you for restoring this machine to operational condition. What a marvelous experience this must have been.

[@lukeskywalker7566]

What a beautiful machine ❤

[@snipermart]

What a vehicle and an amazing experience to have in the bag. So very lucky 👍

[@jacqueschauvet3744]

Amazing work! Congrats!

[@simonkormendy849]

Man, just imagine the stories this vehicle could tell if it could talk, cool to see one of these restored to it's former glory.

[@3-2bravo49]

That is incredible. It still has all of the little bits and bobs as well. Like that base plate for the mortar that was hanging off of the back.

[@majorkursk780]

Amazing to see it drive!

[@Cyberdinemechatron]

I love this Halftrack! Superb restoration!

[@billyponsonby]

She did great! Awesome vehicle and the steering looks surprisingly responsive and precise. I didn’t expect this.

[@bennichols1113]

True. I didn't expect it to be so smooth. Was surprised by how short it is.

[@DoctorShocktor]

For the curious, Half-Tracks are just trucks. With rear tracks powered through a differential, they perform just like a bunch of rear wheels on a standard large truck. This German vehicle does have a system to apply some track braking when you turn full lock, but that is just to decrease the turning radius to be less truck like, and more tank like so you’re not having to do big multipoint turns in the mud or forested areas. American half tracks only have a differential, so they’re not quite as nimble in turning. They do have front wheel drive that the Germans do not have, so a bit better traction.

[@hammmershield]

Thats very interesting! I’ve long wondered about how the drive works as it seems less than optimal to depend on front axel steering with so much friction an power coming from the tracks. You’d think it put a lot of strain on the front axel. I read somewhere that in these vehicles (the 250/251s), the track engages/disengages depending ob how much you turn the steering wheel. Is this true?

[@hammmershield]

Reading your post again, I see that it is exactly what tou explained.

[@sravydogs]

Wow, that's unreal. Amazing piece of history.

[@thomasshaw61]

AWESOME!THANKSFORSHARING!

[@Rogster559]

One very lucky lady the chance to drive such a rare vehicle thank you so very much for sharing your fantastic experience

[@stephennutkin2477]

Fantastic piece of history