SdKfz 251 build

[Dennis Jones]

Mick, You might find you need more than 15 degs I ended up with about 20 as at 15 the chassis sloped down at the back. The way I did mine was to put the 2 rear wheels on with tyres and track and check with spirit level and set all the other arms using a depth gauge.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Hello Dennis and thank you for your reply. I spent this morning 'trial fitting' a couple of swing arms and did think they looked low at 15 degrees. This was before I read your post. I will do as you suggest and see how she 'sits'. I lost a few degrees in tightening the M5 bolt, so adding a few more degrees may probably be worthwhile.....Mick

[michael hilton]

Couple of arms fitted at 15 degrees.....they look ok.....don't you think???

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Mick,

You will need to put wheels tyres and tracks on before you see if the chassis is level. Mine sloped down at the back so I had to increase the angle.

Fitted angle bracket to silencer assembly in order to secure it instead of Loctite.

Happy rivetting Mick and all the best for Christmas and the New Year to you and your's.

Dennis

[Tim Semas]

Hi Micheal,

Dennis is right, at 15 degrees your back end will be sitting way down once the tracks and front tires are on. Set your arms at least 20 degrees. Build some track first, then put them under your road wheels. I made the mistake of setting all mine then had to re set my arms. Once i established my 20 degree setting that had my chassis sitting level on track, then i set the rest of my arms with a little adjustable square, off the frame. Good luck,

[michael hilton]

Hello Dennis, Hello Tim, thank you both for your observations, I will follow your advice and initially set the arms at 20 degrees using the methods described.
As with my other Armortek tanks, I post my Sd Kfz 251 build safe in the knowledge that the various Forum members will be keeping a watching brief and quickly offer their help. Thanks again, happy Christmas Dennis and Tim and best wishes for the New Year....Mick.

[Armortek]

Hi Guys

This model has been designed to steer using the front pair of wheels only. The differential allows the tracks to follow. In order to get this system to work well on all surfaces, the front wheels need to carry much more of the weight than is strictly correct to scale. This weight comes in the form of the batteries which are situated under the bonnet over the front wheels. This, of course, causes the front spring to be disproportionately compressed and levels out the chassis. Setting the suspension arms to 20 degrees at this stage will make the model look correct while you are building it, but will result in poor steering performance on the finished thing.

You could use a modern light weight battery in your build, which would require you to modify the suspension angle setting. I really don't how well the model would steer in this set up.

Mark

[michael hilton]

Hello Mark, thank you for the answer and advice. I think therefore I will fix the suspension arms at or around 20 degrees. I'm not one for getting these models dirty. Once completed I much prefer to sit back and admire the result. I know many modellers enjoy the driving experience. As long as the SdKfz moves and sounds as it should then that is fine, my enjoyment is mainly in the building....thanks again Mark, Dennis and Tim....Mick

[Dennis Jones]

My batteries will be in the rear of the vehicle under the floor that supports the gun and I have tried it without any weight in the front apart from a loudspeaker and seems to turn ok. I may need to put some more weight up front as Mark suggests but we will wait and see.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Some general spray painting....just to keep things ticking over so to speak.....after all, it is Christmas. I like the finished 'look' of this paint, 400ml cans, Army Paint Industrial, quick dry, matt finish, colour 'Feldgrau' Ral 6006 £7.95 each, plus P & P, from Epic Militaria Ltd......
The spray booth is my upgraded version with added garden 'canes' to allow more items to be sprayed at any one time. The washing machine is in the garage by the way so no backlash there ...... Mick.

[michael hilton]

Finally granted the necessary permissions required to transfer the 'paint spraying' from a cold damp garage and into the workshop (small bedroom). Windows wide open and the extractor fan ( hair dryer ) on full blast.

[michael hilton]

Happy New Year everyone....and just to keep the 251's going, tracks assembled and ready for painting....Mick

[Dennis Jones]

looking good Mick, keep up the good work.

Dennis.

[michael hilton]

Making slow but steady progress, I have like Dennis, cleaned my tracks ( mucky job ) using latex gloves and brillo pads. I also cut the split pins down, then I spray painted with Halfords Etch Primer. Finally finishing with Holts spray paint, graphite grey metallic.
The 251 wheels are now cleaned, etch primed and painted with Army Paint Industrial, Feldgrau Ral 6006. Finished with Citadel Purity Seal satin varnish.

The rubber tyres are held on with high strength M3 double sided tape. The only running for my 251 will be on bone dry flag stones, no nasty mud and crud for me, matey. The tyres are an easy fit, on the M3 tape and quite difficult to prise off. You can however, remove the tyres and replace if you need to repaint a wheel.....

[michael hilton]

Good morning lads and the ladies, it's blooming cold this am, looking forward to a building session in the workshop. About to start riveting.....
Dennis, I have as usual, a question. Looking forward to the Motion, Sound and Smoke upgrades, does the 'Sound' module have anything other than the engine start-up, running, etc,. For example M/G, main gun as supplied with the tanks??
Aside from the 'ambulance type 251' if I go for a main gun or M/G will I need to source my own additional firing 'sounds'.....Mick