Panzerwerfer 42 (Sd.Kfz. 4/1)

Rarely offered on today’s market, this highly accurate and professionally reconstructed Panzerwerfer 42 represents a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic and rare German self-propelled rocket launcher vehicles of the Second World War.This specific vehicle is built on an original WWII Opel Blitz chassis, powered by an Opel 6-cylinder 3.6L petrol engine. The running gear has been reconstructed, incorporating original road wheels. The superstructure has been carefully and accurate...

This specific vehicle is built on an original WWII Opel Blitz chassis, powered by an Opel 6-cylinder 3.6L petrol engine. The running gear has been reconstructed, incorporating original road wheels. The superstructure has been carefully and accurately reconstructed in Germany using original drawings and extensive reference material, including the preserved example at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur (France).

This vehicle was one of the absolute highlights of Militracks 2025 / 2026, where it attracted significant attention from collectors, enthusiasts and the wider historic military vehicle community, further underlining its presence and appeal.

The vehicle is presented in very good condition and is ideally suited for collectors, museums, reenactment or commemorative event use. Located in The Netherlands.

Location

Overloon, The Netherlands

Year of construction

WWII base vehicle (1943), superstructure 2023-2025

Country of origin

Germany

Manufacturer

Opel Blitz chassis (WWII period)

Type

Panzerwerfer 42 (Sd.Kfz. 4/1) – Rocket Launcher Vehicle

Condition

The vehicle is built on an original Opel Blitz chassis, while the running gear has been carefully reconstructed using original road wheels, maintaining both authenticity and functionality

Margin Goods

Yes margin goods; No VAT applicable

€ 300.000,-

Incl. commission

Details

Condition

This Panzerwerfer 42 is presented in very good and well-maintained condition, combining an original WWII mechanical base with a high-quality and accurate reconstruction of the superstructure.

This vehicle is built on an original WWII Opel Blitz chassis, powered by an Opel 6-cylinder 3.6L petrol engine. The running gear has been reconstructed, incorporating original road wheels.

The superstructure has been reconstructed with a high level of craftsmanship and attention to historical detail, based on original drawings and a surviving reference vehicle held at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur.

The exterior is finished in an authentic German WWII-style configuration, complete with correct proportions, detailing and layout. The distinctive rocket launcher system has been faithfully recreated, giving the vehicle its unmistakable and highly impressive presence.

The vehicle proved to be one of the standout attractions during Militracks 2025 / 2026, where it was widely regarded as one of the most remarkable vehicles present.

Mechanically, the vehicle benefits from the reliable Opel Blitz platform, making it significantly more usable and manageable than original halftrack-based Panzerwerfer systems.

Vehicles of this type are exceptionally rare on the international market. Original surviving Panzerwerfer 42 vehicles are virtually unobtainable and are today held almost exclusively in museum collections.

To the best of current knowledge, only two original Panzerwerfer 42 vehicles are believed to survive worldwide. One is preserved at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur (France), which served as the primary reference for this reconstruction, while another example is reported to survive in Russia.

The vehicle benefits from:

· original WWII Opel Blitz chassis

· reconstructed running gear incorporating original road wheels

· high-quality reconstructed superstructure

· reconstruction based on original drawings and museum reference

· highlight vehicle at Militracks 2025 / 2026

· strong visual and historical presence

· exceptional rarity and collector appeal

· suitable for museum, collection and event use

Specifications

Technical details

Manufacturer: Opel (base vehicle) / Reconstruction
Base chassis: Opel Blitz chassis (WWII period)
Configuration: Hybrid: original chassis with reconstructed superstructure
Drive configuration / Suspension: Rear-wheel driven tracked configuration (reconstructed) based on Opel Blitz chassis
Engine: Opel 6-cylinder petrol engine (3.6L)
Transmission: Manual gearbox
Undercarriage / running gear: Reconstructed running gear incorporating original road wheels
Body construction: Custom-built steel superstructure based on Panzerwerfer 42 design
Rocket launcher system: Replica Nebelwerfer-style multiple rocket launcher (non-operational)
Crew capacity: Approx. 2–3 persons
Electrical system: 12 volt
Length:: approx. 5.5 – 6.0 m
Width: approx. 2.2 – 2.4 m
Height: approx. 2.5 – 2.8 m
Weight: Approx. 3,500 – 4,500 kg
Production numbers: Approx. 300 units produced between 1943 and 1944

History

Summary

The Panzerwerfer 42 (Sd.Kfz. 4/1) was developed by Germany during World War II as a mobile rocket artillery platform, based on the Opel Maultier halftrack, itself derived from the Opel Blitz truck.

The most significant modification involved replacing the rear axle and wheels with a tracked system, combined with the addition of a lightly armoured superstructure. This allowed the installation of the 15 cm Nebelwerfer 42, a ten-tube rocket launcher system capable of delivering devastating concentrated firepower.

The effective firing range of the Nebelwerfer was approximately 4 to 6.5 kilometers, with a maximum range of around 7 kilometers. Despite this, the system was particularly feared for its destructive impact on shorter distances, where fragmentation effects were highly lethal.

The vehicle was typically operated by a crew of three:

· a commander (who also acted as driver)

· a radio operator

· a gunner responsible for the rocket system

Approximately 300 Panzerwerfer vehicles were produced between 1943 and 1944/45, making it one of the rarer German self-propelled artillery systems of the war.

Operational use took place on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, including major engagements such as the Battle of Kursk, the defense of Germany during the Allied advance, and the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes Offensive) in 1944–1945.

Panzerwerfer units were organized into specialized Werfer Brigades, which were further divided into regiments and batteries. A typical regiment operated around 24 vehicles, capable of delivering coordinated rocket barrages over a wide target area.

Due to limited production numbers and heavy wartime losses, original vehicles are now extremely rare. To the best of current knowledge, only two original Panzerwerfer 42 vehicles are believed to survive today, including the well-known running example preserved at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur (France), which served as the primary reference for the reconstruction of this vehicle.

Additional Remarks

· One of the highlights of Militracks 2025 / 2026

· Original WWII Opel Blitz base vehicle

· Reconstructed running gear with original road wheels

· High-quality reconstructed superstructure

· Reference vehicle: Musée des Blindés, Saumur (France)

· Only two original Panzerwerfer 42 vehicles believed to survive worldwide

· Extremely rare and visually striking vehicle type

· Strong museum and collector appeal

· Ideal for collectors, museums and reenactment

· Located in The Netherlands

· No road registration

· While not an original vehicle, this example offers a highly authentic representation built on an original WWII Opel Blitz chassis, making it a rare and compelling opportunity within the current market.

Scope of Delivery

The vehicle will be sold including:

· all components, parts and structures present in, on and attached to the vehicle at the time of sale

· all accessories and loose items belonging to the vehicle