| Catalogue No.: | 35195 |
| Scale: | 1/35 |
| Media: | Dark tan colored plastic, vinyl tracks, decals |
| Review Type: | Construction |
| Rating: | Highly Recommended |
S u m m a r y |
| Price: | US$23 or less |
| Advantages: | The only Sd.Kfz251/1 kit in this scale, the best one of Tamiya's 3 Sd.Kfz251s, great looking figures |
| Disadvantages: | Many details have been omitted, too few accessories when compared to reference photos. |
| Recommendation: | Recommended for all modelers who love German armor, half-tracks, or just armor in general. |
B a c k g r o u n d |
The Sd.Kfz 251 first saw service at the beginning of 1943 to supplement the Sd.Kfz250. The
smaller half-track, although successful in its role, was in constant need for
improvements.
The Sd.Kfz251 served as a troop transport, ambulance, mobile artillery unit, AA-vehicle, command vehicle and more. It also mounted all kinds of guns, including the famous 75mm PAK40, and the quadruple 20mm AA-gun. It remained in production till the end of the war.
C o n s t r u c t i o n R e v i e w |
The kit is molded in the usual Tamiya's dark.tan colored plastic, and comes with the new
glueable tracks and 4 nicely sculpted figures. Parts fit varied.
The lower hull consists of the torsion bars (mounted separately on a plate that must be assembled on the lower hull sides); the running gear; and the steering assembly for the 2 front wheels. The wheels can be left to turn and pivot, even to be simulated on top of uneven terrain.This is a neat feature, but doesn't work since the running gear can't be similarly positioned! Be careful when assembling the wheels - they're easily mis-aligned. Tamiya doesn't provide the front Bosch light power wire. This should be added from fusewire or similar. The tow shackle on the back is molded with the screw in place, but with an opening in the back. This is a nice touch.
The kit fighting compartment is equipped with a dashboard, driver and radio operator's seats, crew seats, stowage boxes, radio, and some accessories. The driver figure is casually posed leaning over his seat, but I don't thing he should look quite so casual since he's talking to the guy who is busy firing the MG on top of his compartment!
One other figure is represented running with a MG-42 and the other jumping over the side. No engine is provided.
Be careful when assembling the hull sponsons as they are of a tricky fit and don't align very well with the hull sides.
There is no first aid box provided for the fighting compartment, and it should be added. Also the rifle racks are grossly simplified, and some grab handles are missing.
I painted my model in the winter scheme provided in the instructions. 2 other schemes are provided, both in the 3 color scheme. The fighting compartment was painted with the yellow base coat, with details picked out with white, black, leather brown, red, and green.
The stowage provided is very sparse. I added bed rolls on the hull sides, extra gas mask cases, helmets, rifles, a bucket, and water bottles.
Tamiya provides stencils for all the accessories that need them, and even an open hand grenade case. Painting templates are provided for the camouflage suits most of the figures are wearing.
Highly recommended!
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