Finished Pics

Great job, Chris!
From what I see in the pix, I don't have any criticism to offer. Well done!

From everything I've read, that's not one of Tamiya's better kits. I'm not sure how old it is, but as you've mentioned, I hear it lacks detail, has some fit problems, and has some shape and accuracy problems as well.

Which don't seem to make no nevermind no how, seein' as you've built a fantastic model out of it!

Looking good on my end Chris. Nice subtle weathering job. What halftrack do you have lined up?

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Thanks guys.
Tigerman- I have lined up to do Tamiya's 1/35 Hanomag Sdkfz 251/1 while my wife does the Tamiya M3A2 Halftrack. Looks like they begin today. I've just got to figure out the paint colors for mine since I have never done any German armor before. U.S. is easy for colors. Looks like this is going to be fun to do though.

Chris is it the earlier Ausf C or D? If it is the earlier model C, I'd go Panzegrey or Afrika Corps desert yellow. If you do a desert one, you could spray grey and then yellow over it with the grey showing up in spots, kinda like a two-tone. Ausf D, skies the limit. You can do one color cammo or two color cammo. Good luck. I'd look into indy track for a more realistic sag. I know AFV's got some, I need to order some for mine.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Very nice workmanship Chris.

Tigerman, I have no idea which it is. Just not that knowledgeable on that aspect yet. It's Tamiya kit no. 35020 if that can help. So far the search for ref. pics is coming up short and the only one I have found is pretty messed up.

Hi Chris. You have the earlier version C. So I'd recommend either of the before mentioned schemes. Obviously, Panzergrey would save much time as being only one color. Or, simply going with Afrika Corp desert yellow. I have an Osprey Military New Vanguard book # 25 on the SDKFZ 251, has some nice drawings. Only $12.95. Hope I helped a little. Maybe confused you more. LOL

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Nah you helped , just the decision of which to do is only problem. Which brings out the details more though yellow or gray. I noticed on the antitank gun I did that the german grey covered alot that would have stood out with other colors. I guess there are somethings to with the gray to learn. Thanks for the help though.

heres a link to a site that might be a help for you http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Pit/3515/251/index.htm ill have a look for some more but its very late over here
Tigerman heres a review of the AFV Club links your on about http://www.jbwholesalers.com.au/reviews/afvclub/afv35044.htm and a review of the updated suspention for the Tamiya kit http://www.jbwholesalers.com.au/reviews/afvclub/afv35043.htm

Washes and pastels would probably bring out more detail on the yellow. On the grey, drybrushing with the proper washes should help bring the detail to life. Unfortunately, I'm a novice with the washes and pastels chalks. I mostly drybrush and have more or less good results. I'm trying to complete my latest with a wash(scary).

"It is well that war is so terrible, less we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Sorry Jon, I forgot to thank you for the info on the AFV links. Thanks.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Good one there Chris. I see no problem with it, either.

Keep it up.

Thanks for that link Jon, that is going to be a real help and I will be visiting it alot. Had the best pics I have found so far particularly the interiour shots.

Nice job Lizard

I like the rust on the barrels

Keep 'em coming

Nice job on a substandard Tamiya kit, Chris. I also have that one, but haven't started it yet. At least now I have some direction to go. Great weathering from what I can tell. Good display base, too. Can't get more real than that.

demono69

Nice job LQ2.

Love the scenic pics............been trying to find that little Afghani with the RPG, but he's hidden in there well

Personal preference, I would go the grey on the 251/1. Lots of opportunity to base it anywhere. A lot of the time, the Africa Corp vehicles where covered with canvas to stop some of the sand getting in, and this will cover the detail inside. I my opinion, if your going to do an open topped vehicle, show it off. Then again, the MG's are a little basic and instead of replacing them you could model rthem with their canvas covers

If you do, do the grey, you can use some of the figures with the kit, although they show their age a bit. Remember that you will need to do a lot of dust and dirt in the weathering as Panzer Grey really shows up the dust 'n stuff. Or you can just go the way of the crisscrossed mud camo or plain worn whitewash. Either looks very effective and a little different from what you see others do.

Squadron Signals "Armor Series No. 21" on the "SdKfz 251 in action" isn't a bad reference for the camo jobs either, although it doesn't have any Africa Corp pics that I rememeber.

The kit version you have was produced from around June 1940 through to September 1943 so works well in dios of Africa, Russia, low countries, etc. The latter D version, was built late 1943 onwards. It is also produced by Tamiya in different variants.

If you are going to model a specific C vehicle from a photo, check that it is of a welded not riveted 251/1, as the C's could be either (this'll save you from the nuts and bolts counters) and the kit is a welded one.

Buy the way, the guys are right about getting replacement Wheels and Tracks. The old Tamiya ones are inaccurate and lack track detail. The Capt'n's given you the best links I know of.

Hope this helps

Happy Modelling
Peter

Very Nice Chris!

Ron

Nice work Chris ... personal taste .... and this might just be from the camera ... I think a little more colour depth in your tracks would really set this kit off. Other than that I think you did a very nice job on this kit.

Thanks for sharing.

Fine job Chris!

your welcome for the link Tigerman and Lizard
and i forgot, the tank looks great i like the rusty bits and the wood finish

Thanks everyone.
Demon- yea the base looks pretty real cause well it is. It's nothing more than an old hickory tree that got blown overa few years ago. I figured I would put the tank on it and take a few pics and see how they came out. Did pretty good.

Peter- Thanks for all that info, helps out alot on a subject not to familiar with. Just putting it together right now until I get to a point to start painting.

Robert- It probally is the camera and the sun. I started out with gun metal, dry brushed with steel on the highpoints and rust on the lows and finished with some pastels. I think the tracks were the best result with the whole kit. One thing I did try out on this one that you can't see is the board on the front. I tried out the wood grain tip that was in the current FSM and seemed to work pretty good, just need to practice it some more.

Thanks for the comments all, can't wait to get the halftracks up to be seen. Allthough the mrs. has gotten a little frustrated with hers, just have to see if I can get it straightened out for her.