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

The Vehicle:

The Sd.Kfz. 251 was built on the chassis of the Sd.Kfz. 11 3ton Half Track produced by the Hanomag Company with Büssing NAG designing the new armoured superstructure to be bolted to the Hanomag chassis. 

The 251 was powered by a Maybach HL42 6-cylinder water cooled petrol engine of 4.17 litres and putting out 100hp at 2800rpm. The two sets of tracks and suspension were identical to the Sd.Kfz. 11 while the front unpowered wheels provided support and steering as slow speeds while at turns past 15° the final drives on the track drive sprockets came into play. 

The basic armament was two MG34s and later MG42s mounted on the front superstructure and a rear anti-aircraft mounting. Initially the forward MG had no shield but this was fitted after initial combat experience. 

A total of 15,252 251s in four Ausfuhrungs (modifications) and 23 variants were produced between 1939 and 1945 with the Ausf. C introduced in mid-1940.

The most notable feature of the Ausf. C from the earlier Ausf. A and B was the single-piece 14.5mm armoured nose plate, there were other mods such as the front of the mudguards being raised to provide more track clearance and rearranged seating inside. 

The Sd.Kfz. 251 Schützenpanzerwagen (SPW) (medium armoured infantry carrier) was produced in the following variants; 

Sd.Kfz. 251/1: Basic SPW fitted with the FuSpG ‘F’ R/T unit.

Sd.Kfz. 251/2: 8cm GrW34 Mortar carrier

Sd.Kfz. 251/3: Communications vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/4: Light artillery tractor

Sd.Kfz. 251/5: Engineer vehicle for special assault engineers

Sd.Kfz. 251/6: Command Vehicle (similar to /3 but with additional command equipment)

Sd.Kfz. 251/7: Engineer vehicle basic

Sd.Kfz. 251/8: Field Ambulance

Sd.Kfz. 251/9: 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 Support vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/10: 3.7cm PaK36 light anti-tank gun vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/11: Telephone communications vehicle (cable laying)

Sd.Kfz. 251/12: Artillery surveying vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/13: Artillery surveying vehicle (Sound recording)

Sd.Kfz. 251/14: Artillery surveying vehicle (Sound ranging)

Sd.Kfz. 251/15: Artillery surveying vehicle (Flash spotting)

Sd.Kfz. 251/16: Flamethrower vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/17: 2cm Flak38 anti-aircraft vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/18: Artillery observation and command vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/19: Mobile telephone exchange vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/20: 60cm infra red “Uhu” searchlight vehicle (Ausf. D only)

Sd.Kfz. 251/21: Triple 2cm MG151 and 151/20 (drilling) anti-aircraft vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/22: 7.5cm Pak40 anti-tank vehicle

Sd.Kfz. 251/23: Reconnaissance vehicle (mounting 2cm KwK38 turret from SdKfz 234/1) 

Other field modifications were carried out by troops with some vehicles seen fitted with the 2.8cm Panzerbuchse and the 251/1 could also be fitted with 28cm or 32cm rockets for close support with these mounted on firing frames on the sides of the vehicle but this vehicle was not given an individual Ausf. number.

1/35 251-Series Available Kit Listing

[I make no claims that this list is complete…I edited out a couple of boutique resin-kit manufacturers already that were in the $100+ dollar range – useful if they covered a variant that wasn’t covered already in plastic, but they didn’t. The 251 is not well represented in 1/48 scale, and while there are a lot of 1/72 scale kits (mostly by DML), I’d much rather stick to the larger stuff.]

AFV Club:

35063 /1 D
35068 /9 D
35077 /7 C
35078 /1 C
35082 /21 D
35083 /22 D
35091 /1 Stuka Zu Fuss
35116 /20 D
35117 /17 C Command
35118 /17 C Luftwaffe
35S26 /1 D w/Pak 40
35S28 /4 C w/LE FH 18/40
35S35 /21 C, /7 D, /1 Stuka Zu Fuss (3 complete 251s in one box)
35S38 /22 D, /1 D Falke w/Pak 40 (2 complete 251s in one box)
35S47 /3 D

Cyber Hobby:

6293 /23 D   (OOP)
6326 /2 C     (OOP)
6413 /17 C Command

DML:             (“bold” indicates 3-in-1 kit – can make one of the three options)

6183 /1 C
6202 /16 C
6206 /6 C
6217 /21 D
6223 /7 D standard, /7 command, /7 2.8cm AT gun
6224 /1 C, /7, /10
6225 /9 C
6227 /1 A (not released yet?)
6233 /1 D, /9, /1 Falke
6246 /1 C rivetted
6247 /16 D
6248 /22 D
6251 /20 D
6284 /1 Stuka Zu Fuss, /1 Stuka Zu Fuss (variant 2), /10
6292 /17 D Schwebelafette
6395 /17 C Luftwaffe

MR Model Conversions:

MR52 /8 D variant for converting Tamiya 35195

Revell Germany:

03065 /3 B

Tamiya:

35147 /9 D
35151 /1 Stuka Zu Fuss
35195 /1 D

Zvezda:

3572 /1 B
3588 /10
3604 /3 B (new release)

So, from what I’m seeing, we’re able to cover the following 17 versions with (readily) available kits: /1, /1 Falke, /1 Stuka Zu Fuss, /3, /4, /6, /7, /8, /9, /10, /16, /17 Luftwaffe, /17 Command, /17 Schwebelafette, /20, /21, and /22 in various combinations of mostly C and D variants with a couple of B’s (go Zvezda!) and an upcoming early A chassis from DML.

Then there's the /2 and /23 with the OOP Cyber Hobby boxings, and some other available options if one is inclined to do a bit of scratchbuilding.

Links, Pics, and Reviews:

Reference Links:

http://www.sdkfz251.com/

http://www.pietvanhees.nl/251/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SdKfz_251

Review Links:

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/subject/251.htm

Excellent!

Shouldn't be a problem to fit you into a DML-available slot, I should think. They make soooo many different 251 kits that your odds are very good. 

Ever tried any AFV Club kits? They get pretty spectacular reviews.

I went and looked in the closet, and between kits, AM and scratchbuilding, I could do the /1, /2, /8, /6, /16, /17, and /17 command variant. 

I'd be most interested in building the D/8 ambulance. I did already start on the lower hull, but you once said that since it would be primarily a sratchbuilding project and would take some time, I could still use it. Let me know if that has changed...

The 251 C Ambulance was a field conversion, the 251 D Ambulance was factory built. They are quite different inside, so you might want to split them up. Not absolutely necessary, though.

On a side note, I wouldn't recommend the MR Models /8 conversion. It only fits Tamiya and isn't very accurate. It is more representative of a factory D model ambulance, but is made to fit the Tamiya C.

I would also be interested in doing the 251/2. It's available as a Cyber-Hobby kit which is now impossible to find, and which I also have

Some 251/2's carried both an 81mm mortar and mounts for the 280mm Rockets

Whoah! Great post.

If you want to cover the /8, that would be spectacular. I remember talking about it, and as long as you can continue to hold off on building it it would certainly be allowed! How are you going about this, scratching the whole interior?

Too bad about the MR Models conversion - do you happen to have one in your possession?

Finally, what number is that Cyber Hobby kit? Had no idea they made a /2! Maybe you could whip up some pics of the parts that come with it that make it a /2? Or even make a resin casting of the additional sprue...?

Thanks dupes, I've been putting off finishing it for quite a while now, so waiting a few more months shouldn't be a problem

I saw the conversion set at a model show. The quality looked okay, but like I said, it's a D-model Ambulance made to fit a C chassis. On top of that, who's going to spend $40 on an improvement for the Tamiya kit?

The CH /2 is kit #6326. The only additional parts are a plate for the floor that the mortar base attaches to, and mounting points for the legs. The right rear seat is also replaced with an ammo rack. Here is a shot from the instructions:

Ps1scw - I sure hope so. You have any interest?

Hermesminiatures wrote:

The CH /2 is kit #6326. The only additional parts are a plate for the floor that the mortar base attaches to, and mounting points for the legs. The right rear seat is also replaced with an ammo rack. Here is a shot from the instructions:

Very interesting. How big is the "/2-only" sprue? I'm wondering if there's any chance it can be had from DragonCare and added onto one of my spare 251/1's...

Where's the Airplanes?!

Hello there I'd like to join if I may, I have [TAM - Sd.Kfz. 215/1 Hanomag count # 3]. I'd Prefer building ( /21 Ausf. C, /5.C,/6.C,/7.C). I'd like to build wich ever project you task me to do with a some scratch building. Oh and the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 Ausf. C is a true feld modification unlike the Ausf. D version. I only want to work with the Ausf.C versions., if that's ok with you? This build will work out well for me as the only halftrack that i'm about to start on for my HalfTrack GB is the Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. D "Stuka Zu Fuss". by the time it's done I can jume in to a build for your GB.

dupes: I'm IN!!!  I'll be choosing from one of the Tamiya offerings.  I'll do some research on the web at lunch hour today and get back to you ASAP with my selection. 

Glad you finally got this one going!...FYI, I saw you started an announcement thread in armor, but it's getting pushed down the list quick...you may want to copy some/all of the info from this thread to that one to keep it "fresh"...then come October 1...

Darn nice looking badge, by the way!!!

Hi Dupes,

Keen to join in the fun for later in the year. Will be the first 251 series I've ever built, so an interesting learning curve on the research aspects. Have no 251s in my model stash, so open to assignment options.

Would prefer any of the Dragon or Tamiya kits, although happy to look at an AFV model. However, I do have a favourite being the; Dragon 1/35 Sd Kfz 251/22 Ausf D # 6248.

Excellent, fellas! Glad to have all of you here. I'll update the roster shortly.

White_R34 - do you have much reference material on the /5? If so, I would definitely push you in that general direction, since it's one of the variants that isn't available in kit form. What do you plan on using for your base kit?

SMJ - you're down. Let me know which of the Tamiya's you're willing to do (sure you aren't open to some other manufacturers? ).

Assurgeant - you're on the roster and preference is noted. You're the first one requesting that version, so you're probably good to go, unless someone joins that has only that kit in their stash. 

dupes wrote:

...just hold off on scoring your kit for now, until the assignments are all decided on September 1. If you have a preference for one of the 3 Tam boxings, let me know that too.

OK dupes, I'm going to go with the Tamiya 251/1 Stuka Zu Fuss kit #35151.

I'll put you down hoping to do the Stuka.

Edit - was poking around at Greatmodels thinking there would be a pile of aftermarket options for that one (older Tamiya kits tend to get a lot of attention). Only thing I could find, though, was an Eduard set made specifically for that kit - take a look at 35578.

dupes wrote:

Very interesting. How big is the "/2-only" sprue? I'm wondering if there's any chance it can be had from DragonCare and added onto one of my spare 251/1's...

There's the 81mm Mortar sprue, and the floor parts on another sprue. Since the CH kits are limited edition, I doubt if DragonCare would have any spares.

That said, you could probably get the mortar from either of the DML Fallschirmjager Mortar team sets (6215 and 6373) and the ammo boxes from Tank Workshop's shell boxes set. The mounts inside the halftrack would be relatively easy to scratchbuild.

Oh, the 251/16 flamethrower is also on my 'desired' list. Found out I already have the Eduard set for it. Depending on how many participants we get, I'll happily build two, or maybe even three.

Another very informative post.

Now I'm thinking that adding the /2 to my collection won't be as hard as I thought! When you say "floor parts", is there just a steel plate for the mortar to sit on? I'll have to round up some pics of the ammo box racks...

I can add the /16 to your list as well. I have a feeling I may end up doing more than one build myself.

BTW, SMJ, the more I think about it, the more you should consider THIS kit:

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6284.htm

Now I know that you're allergic to Dragon (or anything that ain't Tamiya), but this one is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Tamiya offering...

Dupes, you can count me in on this build. I'd be leaning towards building the 251/1 Falke. My current inventory of 251's is:

AFV Club- 251/21 Ausf. C

               251/1 Ausf. D

               251/7 Ausf. D

               251/1 Ausf. D mit wufrahmen 40 (32 cm or 28cm rockets)

Dragon- 251/17 Ausf. C

            251/22 Ausf. D

            251/16 Ausf. C

            251/1 Ausf. D

            251/9 Ausf. D  

            251/1 Ausf D "Falke"

dupes wrote:

Now I know that you're allergic to Dragon (or anything that ain't Tamiya), but this one is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Tamiya offering...

I'll take a peek at the link, but as you know, I'm allergic to too much plastic!   Hey, how about you build it for me and I'll just paint and weather it!!!

Panzer88 - nice collection! I'll add you on to the roster. Quick one - is your /17 a "command" version or the "luftwaffe"? Think I'm going to have to consider those 2 separate variants. Hmmmm.

Ian - I'll keep you in mind, but until you're able to commit I can't put you on a roster space. You have until the end of August, so plenty of time to make up your mind.

Would really like to see that UHU, though! 

SMJmodeler wrote:

I'll take a peek at the link, but as you know, I'm allergic to too much plastic!   Hey, how about you build it for me and I'll just paint and weather it!!!

Don't worry...it's not all plastic. Plenty of little metal and "Dragon Styrene" parts in there to play with as well!

dupes wrote:

SMJmodeler wrote: I'll take a peek at the link, but as you know, I'm allergic to too much plastic!   Hey, how about you build it for me and I'll just paint and weather it!!! Don't worry...it's not all plastic. Plenty of little metal and "Dragon Styrene" parts in there to play with as well!

...I noticed how you conveniently avoided my suggestion that YOU build it!