Armortek

Half-tracks? Auhg!

I think R/C half-tracks are loosing proposiions for R?C candidates most generally; but, they were a key vehicle during WWII for both sides. And, thus, are valued subjects for rendering in 1/6th scale. But, it seems that they don't prove too profitable for their manufacturers though.

When you think of German half-track, the SdKfz 250 and 251 are the first to come to mind, and I think the first to be offered in 1/6th sacle too. But, maybe that was not the best and most flexible choice? The 250 and 251 are generally open vehicles that to render in 1/6 scale need a lot of internal detail; and, are not too easily made R/C. But, the two's popularity have made them somewhat of a staple to us. Maybe, we can use them as a sort of spring-board to another, more R/C capable half-track...



I would like to suggest the SdKfz 252 for consideration as the next half-track to build – if another is ever considered by Armortek. I suggest this because it has the following characteristics:

This is an enclosed half-track and thus can be easily made in an R/C version and would not have to have a lot of interior detail. Hopefully making it an affordable offering.

This vehicle is based on the SdKfz 250/251 and thus there is a good selection of existing detail parts available.

The SdKfz 252 was used in a wide array of configurations: armored ammunitions carriers, command vehicles, recon vehicles, artillery transports, etc., etc.

The service history covers North Africa, Russia, and all of Europe; so, it would make good support vehicle for any of the existing and future, German, armor offered by Armortek. And, a good general addition to any hobbysts collection of 1/6th scale items.

It is certainly a good model and would make a nice subject. As you say the opern trucks need a lot of detail (and crew) to bring the model to life, but when done well they are very impressive. I don't think that the halftracks have been that good sellers compared to the tanks but I wonder what Armortek will do. Clearly the Tiger 1 has been the mainstay but the big cats have all proved popular in the various varients. The Panzer III has proved popular but I don't think that the re-release of the Panzer IV was well recieved and consequently the batch was never made. I can't quite see why that happened. Mark was saying at the open day that the economical batch size for a model may be around 30, which is smaller than I would have thought but on a very positivve side it means that we do have a chance of seeing a fair variety of models being made in the future.

Here are a few pictures of 252s hauling ammo. of course this means the need for the ammo trailer.



I think the above is in France. The one shown below is in Poland or Russia,



Anyway, this sure would make an awesome support vehicle for any of the existing German tanks.

I think the Sd Kfz 250 series would be a great choice for the Armortek series. There would be many variations that could be made using the same basic model. I am not a RC person, but have seen the plastic models available converted to RC with the drive gear installed under the hood. This may not be possible with a all metal 250 as it may require a bigger motor and bigger batteries due to the weight. I have produced a large range of tools and accessories for the 250 series and have done a lot of research on them, these are the results.

The 250,252 and 253 were all on the drawing board at about the same time. The first of the series off the production line was the 253, it was designed at first to be used as a command, control and spotter for tank units. However it was found that it could not keep up with tank units across rough ground and was dropped as a tank unit vehicle. It was mainly used as a spotter for artillery units and command vehicles for Stug III units, surplus 253's were converted to 250's by cutting out the top armor, these 250's are known as having bodies type 1 and have a longer chassis. The actual 250 design has a few differences to the convert 253 bodies and known as body type 2, shorter chassis.

Most of the 250 series had open crew compartments so RC may be a problem, but if this can be overcome it would be a great basic multi propose vehicle.

I would advise the body type 2 design be used as this was the main body for the 250 Alt series. The body type 1 was only used for the 253 and the converted 253 to 250. With a basic Sd Kfz 250 Alt vehicle the following types could be built by hobbyists with many interior and exterior parts already available on the market.

1. Sd Kfz 250/1 Alt Light Riflemen's Armored Vehicle ( Three interior loading plans)
a. Basic rifleman vehicle.
b. Two light MG crews.
c. Two heavy MG crews.
2. Sd Kfz 250/2 Alt Light Communications Armored Vehicle.
3. Sd Kfz 250/3 Alt Light Radio Armored Vehicle. (With or without Frame Antenna)
4. Sd Kfz 250/5 Alt Light Observation Armored Vehicle. (With Sternantenna D)
5. Sd Kfz 250/6 Alt Light Ammunition Carrier Armored Vehicle. (Two loading plans)
a. 7.5 cm STU Kanone Assault Gun Type A short.
b. 7.5 cm STU Kanone 40 Assault Gun Type B long.
6. Sd Kfz 250/7 Alt Light Mortar Troop Armored Vehicle. (Heavy Mortar S.GR.W 34)
7. Sd Kfz 250/9 Alt Light Riflemen's Armored Vehicle. (2 cm Gun Mounted in Turret) Only 250 with enclosed crew compartment.
Note: Same turret as used on Sd Kfz 222. Already made by Armortek.
8. Sd Kfz 250/10 Alt 3.7 cm Pak Team Armored Vehicle.
Note: 3.7 cm Gun conversion already made by Armorpak.
9. Sd Kfz 250/11 Alt Heavy Anti- Tank Gun 41 Armored Vehicle.
Note: Gun already available on market.
10. Sd Kfz 250/12 Alt Light Survey Troop Armored Vehicle.

Once the basic 250 is made other conversion could be made such as the Sd Kfz 252. Parts made for the 250 could also be used to make other vehicles such as the Sd Kfz 251, Demag Sd Kfz 10 and the Sd Kfz 250 Nue, all of which have several versions. The main compatible parts on these vehicles is the running gear.
Sd Kfz 250 tracks compatible with Sd Kfz 251, Demag Sd Kfz 10 and the Sd Kfz 250 Nue. There maybe others.
Sd Kfz 250 front wheels compatible with Demag Sd Kfz 10 and the Sd Kfz 250 Nue. Sd Kfz 251 front wheels are larger. The wheels were also used on many trailers and one gun which is why I made the aluminum wheels I offer. Now out of stock in aluminum, possibly a new run will be done next year. Still available in resin castings.

11. Sd Kfz 252 Ammunition Carrier Armored Vehicle (Stug 111 Unit Supply Vehicle)
I have found no reference for the 252 being used in any other roles other than a ammunition carrier. Sorry Jim, but I think your list of 252 uses is wrong. The crew compartment is to small for a command vehicle, artillery guns were mainly towed by non-armored vehicles as they were generally away from the front line and 253's were used as artillery spotters. As for recon vehicles I think the 222 was a more used vehicle. The 252 appears to be the same design as the 250 alt type 1 body with rear end sloped. I understand this was to reduce the weight of the vehicle to compensate for the extra weight of ammunition and towing a ammunition trailer. I could be wrong about this. All references I have found for the 252 is that it was the ammunition supply vehicle for Stug III units and does not appear to have been used with any other units.

With the versatility of the 250 and compatible parts for future vehicle production it would be a good product to make. It would also be a very welcome vehicle for my company as I currently have over thirty products of tools and accessories for the 250 series.

Drawbacks I see in producing these vehicles.
1. Armored Hobbies already made a Sd Kfz 250 plastic kit. This may reduce the number of potential sales. Fairly accurate, but does have combined detail of the 250 body type 1 and type 2.
2. Producing a accurate Sd Kfz 253 would limit it to being used only as a 253 or a converted 250 for the rivet counters.
3. Producing a 252 may mean a Stug III would be needed for it to accompany. There are a few Stug III's out there.
4. Producing a 251 Ausf A, B, C or D. The Ausf A, B, C series had 7 basic designs plus the Luftwaffe 2 cm gun conversion that would require the crew compartment to be redesigned. Ausf A-B had different mudguard design to Ausf C, depending on which was made may limited the potential conversions. Ausf D was basically the same design but had only four basic conversions.

There are 251's and Demags available on the market in various quality and this may effect sales of a new release.

Advantages I see for these half tracks.
1. Smaller vehicles and may attract new people to the all metal vehicle hobby as less space is required to store them and weight is not so much of an issue.
2. Much lower price than tanks which may also attract new customers from the static display hobby.
3. Many options for hobbyists to build variations of the models.

Main reference books used which are excellent.
Total Detail Sd Kfz 252, 253 and Early 250 Archive Part 1
Total Detail Sd Kfz 250 Alt - Neu Archive Part 2
Schutzenpanzer "Ryton Publications"

My 2 cents worth.

Here are a few pictures of prototypes of the 252 and 253 conversions I was planning on making for the Armored Hobbies plastic 250.










Mike

I guess I stand corrected on all counts? Maybe this is not a good candidate for consideration?

I am not into major mods of metal; plastic is do-able for me, but I am "limited" in my metal capabilities. I like the all metal concept of Armortek; but would I if I was buying it with the intention of making heavy mods to it?

Also, I doubt that the cost of a metal helf-track is going to be drasticly lower than say the current SdKfz7 is now; mainly I say that because its more than likely they would have to be made in smaller batched - that would probably offset the price.

I guess a platic half-track is more viable? I mean, as Mike points out, the 250 half-track is not as big, maybe its more viable in plastic, even as a "runner". I have a 21 Centry Stu and she's a plastic runner!

I guess I am starting to better understand some of the "complexities" Mark and Gill face when selecting what to make.... My hats off to you!

I guess seeing someone else's perspective can change your own sometimes.....

So Mike, got any time frame on your conversion kits for Armor Hobby's 250?