Going through my to do list this morning I came across a old ESCI/Italeri SdKfz 250/9 that I had sitting around. It was in a reasonable shape but the tracks and running gear were crap, as I think they are a little tricky to assemble. This is my one and only 250, I really need more, but until someone comes up with a fast build...Casual hint to Armourfast.
I do not know much about the 250 series but luckily Tim from http://megablitzandmore.blogspot.co.nz/ last year kindly sent me this handy publication from Bellona, which answer a few of my questions and saved me the hassle of fighting the lad for the Internet.
Basic shape, minus the weapons, lights, grenade mesh cover. A running wheel is also gone.
The state of the tracks is more apparent in this shot.
I gathered up some parts from the spares box. I stumbled across a set of mesh screens which really made my day, a Airfix 2cm gun from the 222 set (The 250/9 was basically a 222 turret fitted onto a 250 body), a MG34, some running wheels and a sprue round that will do as a light. I managed to get one proper light and a mass of spare ammo boxes from the Fujimi 251 set.
The first stage complete with repairs carried out. I also tried gluing the tracks down onto the running gear to get the correct sag.
I mounted the ammo boxes around as its a pretty common practise to weld them onto armour for stowage.
I repainted the body and added a simple disruptive scheme.
Decals were added and a wash applied.
The finished result.
The ammo can on the front fender is also placed there to support the light.
I am still unhappy about the tracks, but what do you do.
Having only a single 250 it will probably end up as a Command vehicle for a Panzer Grenadier Battalion, not correct, but better than nothing.
A good days effort I think.
Model on!
Nice one. I have one of these too and I think it was probably one of the most fiddly kits I've ever done. Great ideas for the revamp. Looks the part. I shall follow your example. BTW I'm sure that the command vehicle for any unit was what was available at any given moment.
ReplyDeleteCheers SRD (H). Yeah in that last game I used a Kubelwagon for the Kampfgruppen.
DeleteRegards Paul
born again. Was very nice .. congratulations.
ReplyDeleteErhan
Thanks Erhntly.
DeleteHappily, there is an easier (and at less than £4, cheap) option from Frontline. If its any consolation, the tracks were a bugger on the Esci '250s Ive built too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up Tim, but I doubt if I could find a Frontline stockist down under without the coast of P&P making it prohibitive.
DeleteBad design on this kit means it should be revamped.
Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Lonewolf
Hi Lonewolf, beautiful no...Functional yes.
DeleteCheers Paul
I've recently put one of these together myself. The wheels are *really* bad. I thought I hit upon a solution to fix the tracks and create sag by using a heat gun to shrink the rubber, but overdid it, and ended up half-melting one of them. Had to buy a whole other kit on ebay for the tracks since it was cheaper than getting the Modelltrans replacement tracks...
ReplyDeleteEY, thanks for sharing that.
DeleteI would be too scared to put a heatgun near my lot!
They were also used in recon units mate
ReplyDeleteYes Al, but they range from 8-4 vehicle per Coy (In CD3 terms pg25 on the pdf)...I have this lonely one (pg 27).
DeleteCheers mate.
Far too good not to use somewhere Paul. Great modelling my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rodger, bound to pop up in a game quite soon.
Deletegreat work
ReplyDelete-- Allan