251 Halftracks GB 1 October '08 - 8 June '09

Dupes,

I don't have anything in the stash as I don't normally do armor (unless it's the Mirage/RPM Renault UE, those dadgum things are like potato chips, can't have just one).  Don't have a preference of manufacturers either, just ask that it be currently available.

Jmart,

Dragon's kits are a fairly straight forward build.  I built my first and only 251/1C using their kit.  See the links to pics I posted earlier.  Just don't push the front suspension all the way in (your front wheels will be in the air) and sand carefully where the hull halves come together and you'll be ok.  The tracks go together easily as well.

Buddy 

Ps1scw - I've been rooting around in my books, the only thing I'm seeing for either of the mobile telephone variants is a drawing - any interest to you? I can scan it if there is. Anyone else have some good 251 refs? Or done an extensive online search?

Scott - during all of that book time, I was examining the difference between the /1 and /4 - and other than a slightly modified towing pintle, I'm not seeing much difference. Would you be willing to potentially scratch a new pintle and do a /4? I'll keep looking into this, maybe Hermes has some info as well about any other differences between the /1 and /4 (could it have to do with what weapon was being towed)?

dupes wrote:

Scott - during all of that book time, I was examining the difference between the /1 and /4 - and other than a slightly modified towing pintle, I'm not seeing much difference. Would you be willing to potentially scratch a new pintle and do a /4? I'll keep looking into this, maybe Hermes has some info as well about any other differences between the /1 and /4 (could it have to do with what weapon was being towed)?

I suppose it all depends on whether or not the Pak 40 would still hook up to it.  Do you have any photos or diagrams of the tow pintle handy?

(Dupes, I see why you wanted those 2 half-track kits now, lol. Might go pick up a half-track myself, always did find them interesting!).

The 251/4 was originally designed to transport a field artillery or light anti-tank gun and its crew, and the only modification was the new towing pintle. However, the designated towing vehicle soon began being used primarily for hauling ammunition, especially when belonging to artillery units. Later /4's were modified with shell racks and/or stowage for boxed ammo.

The AFV Club kit of the 251/4 includes the proper towing pintle, the leFH 18/40 Howitzer and the ammo racks/boxes that replace the seats.

Scott - I DO have a pic of that new towing pintle available, but I'm not sure that you'll need it now. Didn't think about the whole ammo carrier aspect of the variant (thanks Hermes!). Looks like someone is going to have to come up with that AFV /4 boxing somehow!

Josh - we'd love to get you in on this build! I probably should have asked you before you picked up that batch of kits. Heh. Take a look at the first page.

Hi All,

This is shaping up to be a good team effort, looking forward to the assignment and start date.

Yeah, you know it! Assignment day is going to be a fun one...especially since I have NO idea what I'm going to end up with!

Bryan, you'll find that there's a lot of great, very knowledgeable guys around here, willing to help out their fellow modeler any chance they get.

dupes, you're killin' me dude!  First, I'm not into halftracks so I have none in the stash and I know absolutely NOTHING about SD KFZs of any type except that I always called them "hanomags"!   Second, I'm already in 3 other GBs and not sure about joining a 4th one, lest I fail miserably like I did the last time I was in 3+ concurrent GBs!

That being said, I'M IN!!!  I can't say no to what I expect to be another great GB!  Plus, there's great participation and enthusiasm here!  Also, it will allow me to learn about a new AFV and leave my "comfort zone" of just tanks and TDs.  Of course, that's IF you're OK with me not starting the kit until late this year or even early next year.  Like I said, I have 0, zilch, nada in the stash so I'll have to shell out the duckets for a new kit (S'OK with me!).  Since I know nothing about this vehicle would it be appropriate to have you "assign" a kit to me?  I have no problem if you did this and I don't care what make it is, DML, Tamiya, AFV Club, etc. and I'm willing to "plug the gap" with any version (as long as I can find it).  If its all good with you, then consider me committed to this GB!  Or just have me committed..... cuz I must be crazy

Mpkev31b - you're on the roster. Glad to have you!

Bufflehead - ditto! As long as you're sure you can bang out your 251 by the end date in June, no worries. I'm intentionally leaving a longer date than I usually do for GB's in the hopes that we can get as close to a 100% completion rate as possible. I'm sure you'll do just fine leaving your "comfort zone".

"Duckets". Hehehehhe.

Hi Dupes,

Have just ordered the Osprey Modeller's Guide to building the 251, and the other Osprey publication detailing the 251 series. Plus in a moment of weakness I've also ordered the Dragon model for the 251/7D 3 in 1 kit. Fully realise that this may not be the one that I'm assigned, but will build it anyway, even if only for practice.

Hey Lycra man, my Etched Eduard set came for the 251 today, Im really looking forward to this one. BTW did you see how my Famo is coming on in the Supply and support GB? Sooo much etch stuff lol.

...Guy

Assurgeant - no problem. I have you (tentatively) down for the /7, and if that's the only one you happen to have in your stash, I'll be doing my best to make sure that that's the one you end up doing. Be sure to say hi to your probable variant neighbors, Luftwoller on the /6, and Hermes on the /8.

Lufty - how's that PE set look? Is it big? I've tossed around the idea of picking up some of the sets for the 251's I have, but there are an awful lot of them. Heh. I'll take a look at yer Famo, haven't seen it yet.

Hi Dupes,

The Dragon kit 6223 arrived this afternoon, many thanks to the UK post office (still in shock). Have open the lid to the box, all is still inside the plastic bags. Considering this is the first Dragon kit I've ever purchased, as always been a Tamiya modeller, I'm very impressed with how well engineered the overall design is set out. If it is such a joy to build then it will be a shift in the make of kits I purchase in the future.

A question: which division is 'PzLehrDiv' for some reason I'm getting a mental block with this one?

Hi

Please ignore the question as I was having a 'dizzy blonde' moment.

I would like to take part in this. I already have a few 251 kits, all in 1/35. They are all the Ausf D. The first two i already have a dio idea for and are going to be together. They are the Tam 251 APC and the DML 251/9 late type.

The rest i haven't made any dio plans for yet. They are the Tam 251/9. The rest are DML, 251/16, 17 and 21.

Bish - love to have you in the build! Do you have any preference for which variant you get assigned? Or is the whole stash up for grabs?

Let me know, and I'll add you to the roster.

Hey, quick one for you - which /17 do you have? The 'luftwaffe' or 'command'? 

Bish - looks like I edited my post after you replied - just checking on which /17 version you have?

Thanks man!

dupes wrote:

Alrighty then Lewbud, so it's official - you want me to put you down as "no kits in stash, build any D variant"?

Yup!  All I ask is that it be fairly easy to find.

Bish - looked up your kit. It's that "other" /17, isn't it? Like, this one:

1/35 DML6292 Sd. Kfz. 251/17 Ausf. D Half Track w/2cm Kwk38

We had actually discussed making this it's own variant earlier...but I wasn't sure anyone would do it. I think, seeing how you have one in hand, we'll have to call it it's own variant. So that means that the /17 now has the command, luftwaffe, and schwebelafette versions available.

Lewbud - roger that, got you down as "any D". I can pick one out that's readily available no problemo.

Ye, still in. I am a Hooker. I will leave that to your imagination for a bit.

What exactly does the Schwebelafette refer to. I was just checking my osprey book on the 251, and that refers to the Air force and comman vehicles which where unoficial, and then the 251/17 Ausf D which was the first offical version of the 251 fitted as an AA vehicle.