In 1944 the situation in the air of the Reich gets worse. The Army desperately needed anti-aircraft guns, and as the Luftwaffe had a bunch of MG's left over, so it transferred 15,000 of the MG151/15 and 151/20 weapons to the Army. The guns comes available because the luftwaffe moves to the larger 3 cm MK 103 and MK 108 guns.
Some Sd.Kfz.251 halftracks were converted into Anti-Aircraft vehicles by installing pedestal-mounted 'MG151S Drilling' guns. Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf C were used for prototype and field conversions, and Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf D - for production.
The front seats, stowage bins and rifle racks are removed. The pedestal is bolted to the floor, just aft of the transmission housing. Left rear troop-seat removed. The stowage box on the right rear holds ammo.
Each gun is held in its standard aircraft cradle, less the body extention. The guns are fed by belt. The outer have 250, the inner 400 rounds. The inner gun gets a longer belt because it is harder to reach. A revolving (modified naval) pedestal with 3 side armour is designed in a joined venture of naval and army forces. The cradels are bolted to a common block on the top bracket of the pedestal, pivoting on trunnions for elevation and depresion. The top bracket is bolted on a conical skirt and the whole rotates freely on the cone pedestal. The initial proposed anti-aircraft role is extended to softskinned and light armoured vehicles for the accuracy of the gun. US reports speak of ground combat as a first role and low flying planes secondary. The gunner shifts the gun with his shoulders. The guns are handcocked. Elevation -10 to +60.
The production version has extended armour sides, they extend a little down the vehicles own armour.
Late production guns differ in armour, three versions are identified. The front half is extra armoured. Often armour is added in the field. Early guns have reflector type optical sight, late guns have a simpler design with speedring.
In the 45th panzerdivision every armour reconnaissance group and every company in the panzergrenadier battalions is equipped with 3 units.
Gun Specifications:
Designation: MG 151/15 ( MG 151/20)
Manufacturer: Waffenfabrik Mauser AG
Caliber: 15,1 mm (20 mm)
Length: 1917 mm (1767 mm)
Weight: 42 kg (42,3 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 850 m/s (790 m/s)
Rate Of Fire: 850 rounds per minute (780 rnds/min)
Round Types: Explosive/Incendiary, Armor Piercing, Armor Piercing/Electron Encendiary
Round Weights: 72 g (117 g)
Sd.Kfz.251/21 Ausf D
Abandoned Sd.Kfz.251/21 Ausf D
Abandoned Sd.Kfz.251/21 Ausf D
Demounted MG151S captured by Allies.
Top veiw of MG151S (early production).
