My 251 build.

[Dennis Jones]

Just thinking about what to build my 251 as. It was used for so many purposes :- ambulance, troop carrier, goods & munitions carrier, portable searchlight, anti-aircraft vehicle, rocket launcher, radio communications vehicle and even a small bridge carrier. Just want it to look an interesting vehicle to look at, as it's not the prettiest vehicle in the German fleet. Anybody else thought about it yet ?

Dennis.

[Chris Hall]

Dennis -

As you say, there were lots and lots of variants of the 251. But I particularly recall a fun little Esci 1/72nd scale kit I made when I was a kid, which a quick Google search shows to be this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurfrahmen_40

Now that would certainly be a fun vehicle to look at !

Hope this helps,

Chris

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Chris,

Yes I forgot about that one I noticed it when I was looking on the net the other day, maybe a bit too overloaded though, will have to think about it.

Dennis.

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Hi Dennis,

Great kit to customize. If you want to consider something different you could look at the Luftwaffe Sd Kfz 251/17 with the 2cm Flak and clamshell armoured sides. Dragon do a detailed 1/35th kit,
http://www.dragon-models.com/d-m-item.asp?pid=DRA6592
,and the 1/6th 2cm Flak KwK38 kit is out there too, or used to be.
cheers, Fabrice

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Fabrice,

Yes I like that version, if I could source a 1/6th version in either plastic or metal, it could be made to rotate and elevate under radio control as I do like to have moving parts on my models.
I was looking at Phil Fitzpatrick's Sdfkz 7 build and he mounted the 4 barrel version on the back of it.

Dennis.

[Dennis Jones]

Hi All,

Well I have started the build, trying to get to grips with the new build instructions. I think the problem with this build is going to be spraying as you go along, which I tend to do. So I have got to decide on a base colour before I go much further, probably will be sand coloured as I find the dark grey a bit drab. I buy etch primer from the local car paint distributor which mixes with cellulose thinners and only cost about £10 per litre and it means you can use it in an airbrush instead of aerosol which wastes a lot. Just a few photos of progress so far.

Dennis.

[Sean Noonan]

Dennis i can get my hands on a flak gun i will find out if its single or 4 gun version.....cheers sean

[Derek Attree]

Hi Denis
Good start there half tracks are interesting to paint

Derek

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Hi Dennis,

re 1/6th Dragon 2cm Flak. Ebay is probably going to be your best bet. The good people hereabouts also have a knack for spotting these rarer items.

Q: does the 251 kit have a working differential or is there sufficient play in the drive train to fudge the issue entirely? What was the set up in the other halftracks?

cheers Fabrice

[Dennis Jones]

Hi Fabrice,

Yes it has a working differential with steering just being controlled from front wheels. The Sdkfz 7 had 2 motors one driving each track. Steering is a mix between track control and front wheels.

Dennis.

[Dennis Jones]

A few more additions, time to get painting now I think.

Dennis.

[Mark Weddell]

It’s arrived! But I have not opened the boxes yet!

Yes lot of options, I am currently looking at trailer(s) to tow, and a modular approach to the body i.e. Radio Unit aerial removable and changeable to a Pak 3.7cm or 7.5 Kanone or troops carrier.

Mark.

P.S. The Comet’s stripped ready for the re-paint!!!???

[Dennis Jones]

A bit more done.

Dennis.

[Dennis Jones]

Now to stick the tyres on. I shall be using (Fast Show) 24 hour Araldite. I have used this on all my tanks for the tyres and never had one come off yet.

Dennis.

[Dennis Jones]

Looking a bit more like it now. Just 70 more track links to make up and the suspension arms to align and fix.

Dennis.