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

Whoah! This GB is creeping up! Less than 2 weeks until 251 madness!

Couple of things I was looking at:

Lufty - there's a Verlinden resin set of German radios available...I don't have the set, but maybe it comes with some sort of photos/wiring instructions? Don't know how good Verlinden is with including instructions with their stuff, but figured I'd let you know. I can get you an item number if you can't find it.

Wingy - you should definitely check out WBill76's build log of the same 251/17 kit you're going to be working on. It's on his own personal website, lists a lot of tips to use with the kit, as well as what appears to be a complete list of errors in the instructions. If you need a url, let me know. I have it here somewhere.

dupes wrote:

Jmart - for some reason I was under the impression you were going to do the Tamiya /9? Don't get me wrong, I'm fired up that you're going all out on the AFV kit! Should be an awesome build...and that PE set looks sweet. Not too much longer fellas! Only about 3 weeks until kickoff!

Really only 2 1/2 weeks now, but the suspense is killing me!!! 

Jmart - for some reason I was under the impression you were going to do the Tamiya /9? Don't get me wrong, I'm fired up that you're going all out on the AFV kit! Should be an awesome build...and that PE set looks sweet.

Not too much longer fellas! Only about 3 weeks until kickoff!

JMart Thanks, that looks a nice set. Am i right in saying that it doesn't have PE to replace the armour around the gun mount that some other PE sets have.

And you have the AVF /9, will deffinatly be keeping an eye on your build.

Bish - here is a close up pic of the Voyager PE, loads of stuff..

The kit itself + PE

The PE set:

I see full grill sets, clamps and clasps, tool/ammo boxes, chains, tool box clamps, a small resin part I have no clue about and an acetate IP sheet.

 hope this helps a bit!

Hellooooo, cooo eeee. I posted this earlier and think you may all have missed it. It really is a decent site LOL.

http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/pit/3515/251/#4

...Guy

dupes wrote:

I think JMart has you covered there with the current prices around...I can see if any of my "usual sources" have any sort of sales, however I usually get the best deals when buying in bulk... I think that deal you could have gotten at Nationals was probably about the best you can do.

I saw what JMart posted...not too bad $$$-wise.  I was going to buy the Tamiya Kit at the show, but was concerned it was sub-par.  I'm kicking myself a bit that I didn't get the Dragon or AFV kit either.  By the way, have you seen the thread by R34_White (I think that's his name here) on the Tamiya Kit?  He's added a bunch of goodies and done some scratch building too.  If I can score the same kit and add some stuff like he did it would help the build look better...I may go that route...

The figures I bought just for the Stuka will help too.  I think this will be a great GB!!!

SMJmodeler wrote:

dupes: Keep in touch with your suppliers for available Stuka's...Tamiya, Dragon, AFV...I still need to buy my kit!

I think JMart has you covered there with the current prices around...I can see if any of my "usual sources" have any sort of sales, however I usually get the best deals when buying in bulk... I think that deal you could have gotten at Nationals was probably about the best you can do.

Bish - I have no clue about PE in general to be honest...I bought the AFV kit and PE as a bundle from another modeller. But as mentioned, the voyager "minibox" has a ton of PE, lots more than your regular Eduard fret. And yes, Lucky Models carried them at very cheap prices and ship for FREE, as long as you dont bundle it with kits or other merchandise. Ill take some pics when I get the chance.

SMJ - LuckyModels has the Tamiya in stock for 18$ (+ shipping); SprueBrothers has the Tamiya for 28$, the AFV for 33$; GreatModels for similar amounts.

dupes wrote:

See Boyd? I knew I'd find that link somewhere... Thanks Arki.

Good work, dupes - I knew I could count on you

arki30 wrote:

Not to jump into a build I'm not even in and step on Dupes toes, but the link for the easy-cheesy photo studio is http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html I used it when Dupes posted it last and it works!  The amount and kind of lighting is still the key, which I haven't yet nailed. Anyhoo, nevermind me.

Hey Arki,

Thanks for the link....  Feel free to chime in with useful information anytime you want!!!

wing_nut  ask and you shall receive.  My wife wishes it was that easy.

Interesting is this picture also shows a /17 command vehicle.

Here is a color plate.

And finally a line drawing of the /17 flak.

See Boyd? I knew I'd find that link somewhere...

Thanks Arki.

Not to jump into a build I'm not even in and step on Dupes toes, but the link for the easy-cheesy photo studio is

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

I used it when Dupes posted it last and it works!  The amount and kind of lighting is still the key, which I haven't yet nailed.

Anyhoo, nevermind me.

moose421: Thanks for those interiors of the Stuka, I'm starting to get excited about this GB!  I bought some figures posed lifting the artillery, maybe I'll position them so they look like they are loading the interior...should add a bit of interest to my build!

dupes: Keep in touch with your suppliers for available Stuka's...Tamiya, Dragon, AFV...I still need to buy my kit!

That's the /17 Schwebelafette - kit 6292 (which I just won on Ebay with the Eduard PE, btw ). Bish's assigned variant.

I've been looking at that pic a lot myself...great build.

Guys/dupes:  Here is a nice build of a 251...it's on P.6 of the new Dragon Catalog.  I'm not sure what variant it is but I like the amount of weathering it shows....just thought I'd share it...

dupes wrote:

I don't see why not. Any evidence of any 251's with aerial recognition flags out there? Any variant? Certainly would look cool...

On that Russian language site that someone (Moose..?) posted the link to is a pic/drawing of a 251 C (a /1 I think) with a flag/air rec panel.  The caption says 'East Front, 1942'.  Looks pretty cool to me...

Hey dupes,

This is kinda off the current subject, but since we are getting geared up to kick off and I hope to take a good number of pics, this question will be timely (I hope).

A while back, in another thread, you posted a link to a guy who built a $10.00 photo booth - I think it was basically a cardboard box with some paper as filters - do you still have that link?  could you post it again?  I'd like to try to improve my photos with this GB (as well as my modeling skills!!)

bbrowniii wrote:

dupes, In the top picture, at the bottom left, is that the 'cylinder looking dealie' you are refering to?  Kinda looks like some sort of spot light to me...

Ahhhh...yes, you can just make it out in the top pic too. I was looking at it more in the lower picture, where you can see it overhanging the front of the chassis. It has to be something to do with the "Artillery (fill-in-the-blank)" nature of the 12-15 variants, because they all seem to have the spotting scopes, and then an additional piece of equipment. This one definitely looks lens-ish. I'll have to dig up that other pic I have of the one that looks definitely microphone-ish.

dupes wrote:

moose421 wrote: dupes  Here is the tow pictures of the /15 that my book has.   Very interesting. The /15 is listed as the "Artillery Flash-Spotting" variant, so I'm guessing that the cylinder looking dealie there is some sort of lens. I saw that same piece of equipment in another photo for the "Sound Spotting" variant, and though it was a big microphone or something. Guess I'll have to raid the spare parts box and see what I come up with...

dupes,

In the top picture, at the bottom left, is that the 'cylinder looking dealie' you are refering to?  Kinda looks like some sort of spot light to me... 

In other news, I am getting ramped up for this build.  Spent about an hour this morning picking through the AFV box... man there is a ton of stuff in there!!!  Got out the ol' highlighter and marked some of the things on the instructions that I want to be careful not to forget, and sorted out the sprues for the 251 and for the LeFh...  When does this thing start???  Truth be told, it doesn't seem likely that I will jump right on this.  I have to finish up my Stug IV for the Urban Armor GB (hope to put that to rest next week) and then build a Pz III for a GB over at the Models in Scale (www.inextension.com for anyone interested)...  So the 251 is almost to the on deck circle!!!  The good thing about starting a little late is I'll be able to see what everyone else is doing and poach all your good ideas!!!

moose421 wrote:

dupes  Here is the tow pictures of the /15 that my book has.

Very interesting. The /15 is listed as the "Artillery Flash-Spotting" variant, so I'm guessing that the cylinder looking dealie there is some sort of lens. I saw that same piece of equipment in another photo for the "Sound Spotting" variant, and though it was a big microphone or something. Guess I'll have to raid the spare parts box and see what I come up with...