On Saturday 18th June the Weald Foundation, at their headquarters in Kent, launched their restored leichter Panzerspähwagen (2cm) (Sd.Kfz.222) Ausf.A German armoured car from the Second World War. Foundation members and their guests had the exclusive opportunity to view the latest restoration work of the Foundation. The event was attended by the largest number of Weald Foundation members and donors to date.
The leichter Panzerspähwagen (2cm) (Sd.Kfz.222) Ausf.A. is a German armoured car designed in the mid-thirties and this is the only example of this model. This armoured car was built on a chassis manufactured by luxury car maker “Horch” who are today part of the Audi Group. Powered by a 3,5-liter V-8 engine this Weald Foundation Sd.Kfz.222 is World first as it is the only example of the first model so-called Ausf.A that has survived in the world. Not only is this Sd.Kfz.222 as accurate as the day when it was delivered in 1941 it is also fully functional.
The Weald Sd.Kfz.222 armoured car restoration is the only example in Western Europe. Two later models are on display in museums in the USA and Russia.
The launch is the culmination of twenty years historical research and restoration effort. The Weald Foundation team of restoration experts have ensured that this unique vehicle is 100% accurate and will be available for future generations interested in technical history.
The Weald Foundation was established to restore, preserve, and maintain historically important examples of armoured vehicles and related military vehicles and equipment, principally from the First and Second World War and to educate the public about their history.
Established as a Charitable Trust in 2003, the Weald Foundation oversees a rare and unique and growing collection of important running vehicles both armoured and soft skinned. The collection is now one of the finest running collections in the world. Not only are the vehicles themselves important landmarks of engineering in military history, but their restoration also represents an unequalled statement in historic military vehicle restoration.
The Foundation publishes two research and general interest articles each week derived from our painstaking investigation into our current and past projects. This research has proven to be an invaluable resource for historians, collectors, and modellers. The Weald Foundation apprenticeship programme started in 2011 with the objective of expanding the number of young people with the requisite skills and knowledge in Heritage Engineering.
The Foundation continues to strive towards our goal of absolute attention to original detail in all areas of the restoration process to achieve the authentic, original, and correct result. This can involve recovering the largest or smallest parts, often hidden from sight to allow these extremely important historic fighting vehicles to live again in original form thus preserved for future generations. No task can take too long – the result is everything.
Your support is vital. Become a member and follow our progress.
