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

Dang. Nice job, Wingy! Congrats!

Well, it's the beginning of the new year. This GB has been active for three months already! I'd like to do some sort of check-in with everyone who isn't already finished to see what sort of progress (if any!) has been made yet. I know some people have been pretty absent lately - just want to try to catch up with everyone on some level over the next couple of weeks. Don't want anyone to get toooo far behind in their builds...if it looks like you're not going to be able to meet your build commitment, I'm going to attempt to find someone else over in the armor forum to replace your variant.

Anyway, throw down a post here or shoot me a PM to let me know how you're doing!

Pordoi - dawned on me that I still need to get you your badge! Will get on that ASAP.

Congratulations Marc (Wingnut) on taking first place over at Armorama in the November "DMoM" contest with your Sd.Kfz. 251/17 Ausf. C Flak 38!  Well deserved my friend! 

Armorama November DMoM Contest

Ha haaaa! Let's see all of the goodies, Ernest!

Glad to hear you're going to get to tackle this guy soon. Looks like I should be able to join you.

All Right!!  The AFV Club Sd.Kfz.251/20 Ausf. D "Uhu" and assorted AM parts arrived over the weekend from Lucky Model!!  As soon as I wrap up a couple of GBs ending this month I'll start on the NightOwl!  It will be my first AFV kit!  The quality of the finished 251s I've seen here so far is superb!!  I hope I can build something worthy!

SMJmodeler wrote:

...only suggestions would be to add a few more chips and scrathes on those long edges under the insignias...maybe at the toolboxes and a few on the rear hitch.

 Hey SMJ, good eye with the rear hitch.  Completely ignored that.  I scratched it up a bit.  In general, I don't like to chip the paint excessively, although I've seen some very nice builds done that way.  I did go back and add a little more weathering on the storage boxes.  Thanks for the suggestion and for the feedback.

 Don

pordoi: You sure have been turning out some fine builds...this one is a beauty!!!

That small break/regroup must have re-inspired you!!!  Every angle looks great and the weathering is superb!...the camo' is muted just enough, it looks GREAT!  The figures really bring it to life too.  My only suggestions would be to add a few more chips and scrathes on those long edges under the insignias...maybe at the toolboxes and a few on the rear hitch. 

Guys: This is going to be an AWESOME GB when it's done...the caliber of work here has been the highest I've think I've seen in any GB!

bbrowniii wrote:

P.S.   .... that first 'Map'... might have seen it when I was in Iraq... nah, couldn't be, that type of stuff was 'prohibited'...

Well then,   I saw na-zink, I said na-zink and I know na-zink!!!! 

 Don

Don

I can only echo the previous sentiments - AWESOME job!  I love the whole thing - the paint scheme, the radio wiring, the figs, the 'map' and the Map, all of it.  You really have a  sweet ride there, my friend, a sweet ride indeed...

P.S. I think I recognize that first 'Map'... might have seen it when I was in Iraq... nah, couldn't be, that type of stuff was 'prohibited'...

wing_nut wrote:

Only 1 question... Where did those guys get a centerfold...in color no less

Marc, never under estimate the efficiency of German supply lines ....

Dupes: still thinking about options for the base, but the initial thought was for a simple scene, maybe located somewhere in Italy.  After making some observations, one crewman outside of the vehicle (not yet shown) is packing away a scissors scope and tripod while the commanders evaluate the situation on the map and radio their findings back to the artillery unit.

And thanks to Guy, Bish, Moose and everyone else for their comments.  I'm looking forward to seeing some of the other builds completed.

 Don

pordoi   Your /18 is excellent.  The figures really make it stand out.  The work that you have done is beautiful.

I am now getting the urge to go down stairs to work on my /23.  Maybe I fan get the interior done.  I am thinking that I am going to leave the rear doors closed.  That way it lessens the amount of scratch building that I have to do.  It seems that I don't have as much time as I thought anymore.

Well off to the shower and got to take my baby girl to go see Santa.

Pordoi - wow, wow, wow. Excellent work, especially with all of the scratchbuilt stuff and figs! Another excellent addition to the completed builds so far. Interested to see what you do with the base - what sort of scenario are you picturing?

Check your PM's tomorrow or so, will have your /18 badge out to you by then.

Hopefully this will motivate everyone else to get on their builds! I know we have a bunch of people in mid-construction...how's it going? Any new updates? And what's the status of everyone else who hasn't started yet? 2009 is rapidly approaching...I don't want to have any of these build assignments get left in the dust. Let me know how things are coming, if it looks like you will not be able to finish by June, I'll try to find someone else to fill in.  

Thats just awesome. I love everything about the build from the scratchbuilt table to the paint and figures. This whole build has set the benchmark. Excellent.

...Guy

OK, unless you folks see something that needs changing or fixing, I'm about to call the construction phase of the 251/18 complete.  Still planning to mount it on a base, so there will be a few more detail items to paint and possibly another figure.  But here's a quick walk around...

For weathering, I attempted to show a slightly dusty vehicle, maybe somewhere north of Rome in the heat of summer 1944.

Like Guy's 251/6 build, I just had to leave the doors open so that the radios would be at least partly visible.  Can't have all that detail work hidden away where it can't be seen.  Like the open front vision ports that have really nice PE detail which is hidden by the map table.  Or the functional swivel mount that I scratch built for the scissors scope, which is invisible behind one of the figures.

I also like the turned wheels;

... gives it a sense of action.  So I tried a photograph that might also relay action.  An unusual angle to photograph a model but effective I think.

Let's see what our commanders are up to at the map table;  checking out the terrain no doubt...

Ach du meine liebe!!!    Das ist sehr interessant! 

Ah, das ist besser.    Some photos show that the map table had an upper shelf around its perimeter.  Although these photos were mostly of Pz.Div 1 vehicles in 1941, so were field modified 251/3 or /6 rather than the /18 which wasn't in production until '43-'44.  I don't know whether or not the lipped table found its way into production because I haven't found pictures of a true /18.  So my map table is just an open platform, a simple design that is functional.  Besides, I didn't realize about the lipped form until after it was constructed and installed...

But just in case you wondered what was behind the green doors,

... it's the radio operators

I added the antenna wiring from each of the radio sets to the relay boxes, then drilled a hole through the hull and the PE antenna holders and glued the wire to the base of each antenna.  We're connected.

That's it.  This was a challenging build; it's not perfect but I'm pleased with the final outcome.  As always, comments and criticisms are welcome.

 Don

 dupes would those be the Artillery survey vehicles or possably an adaption to the /3 or /6 command vehicles.

Bish wrote:

pordoi wrote:  dupes wrote:     Any chance you happened to save some measurements (or plans, even) for the map table you made? Width (5.5cm) is equal to the body width of the 251.  Height of side walls (3.75mm) is approximately 5.5 scale inches.  Looking at photos of map tables, I could have gone to 4.75-5mm without problem.  Hope this helps. Don Thanks pordoi, that helps alot. dupes i get the feeling theres going to be a couple more /18's hitting the pages in the future.

Haaaahahahha...you bet, Bish! There are some other variants that I've seen with the map tables attached as well.

Pordoi - thanks for the schematics!

wing_nut wrote:

Don the thing on the right fender should be round. If it is that is a reflector that is red.

That's what I thought, but had difficulties confirming.  Thank you

 Don

pordoi wrote:

dupes wrote:     Any chance you happened to save some measurements (or plans, even) for the map table you made?     Width (5.5cm) is equal to the body width of the 251.  Height of side walls (3.75mm) is approximately 5.5 scale inches.  Looking at photos of map tables, I could have gone to 4.75-5mm without problem.  Hope this helps.  Don Thanks pordoi, that helps alot.

dupes i get the feeling theres going to be a couple more /18's hitting the pages in the future.

dupes wrote:

Any chance you happened to save some measurements (or plans, even) for the map table you made?

Width (5.5cm) is equal to the body width of the 251.  Height of side walls (3.75mm) is approximately 5.5 scale inches.  Looking at photos of map tables, I could have gone to 4.75-5mm without problem.  Hope this helps.

 Don

SMJmodeler wrote:

... sounds like you're getting a bit discouraged.  Hang in there man ...

 Thanks SMJ.  Had a long day yesterday and was very tired when I posted.  Refreshed and ready to go again, now.

Moose:  Need a bit more info about the type of radio that is included in the /23 kit.  If it's the FuSpr F that normally mounts above the co-driver seat, then go here

 http://www.pietvanhees.nl/251/

click to expand the specs and parts link on the left, then click on radio.  There is a pic and wiring diagram.  If it's a more complex setup like what was found in command vehicles, then more info will be needed to help you.

Bish:  This is my first attempt at a conversion and I think it's a relatively easy one.  Contributor Hermesminiatures suggested that I use the 251/6 as a start since it has extensive radio gear.  That advice was sound.  I made changes in the interior layout, in the radio gear that I used, tried to wire it accurately and of course made the map table.  Still have to scratch build a mount for the scissors scope.  If you're going to start a conversion and want to know more, just ask.

Guy & Bish:  Thanks for the info. Learn something new every day.  We call them turn signals.

 Don 

Pordoi, I am. Theyre called Semafore indicators. They sit in the little box like thing and pop out when you indicate a turn. Very much like this pic but enclosed in the housing.The outside would all be body colour.

Heres a link to some working.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-n5ReqKpZdA

Stunning work so far BTW.

...Guy

pordoi I am not 100% certain, but i believe those things on the side may be indicators, not sure if that what you call them in the US. The only reason i think that is if you look at pics there seems to be a little arm on the side that looks like it could fold out, a bit like cars had in the 30's.

Thats look very nice, love the map table. How difficult a conversion would you say this is. I want to start doing somne 251 conversions and i might make this my first.

dupes wrote:

Heh...that was supposed to be the plan w/me and SMJ, but he got a little ahead of me. Or maybe I got behind. Can't remember.

dupes: Remember, I switched to the T-55 because I thought the GB ended 1/3/09, but it really ends 3/1/09...

Once I got going on the 55, I got fired up!!!  It was such a great kit and everything went without a hitch so I was in high gear!