SdKfz 251 Pritsche Conversion

 A full on evening tonight up in the loft. After a bit of research last night I came up with a plan to construct and field a SdKfz 251 Pritsche Cargo Carrier. For my TOE for a Panzergrenadier Battalion I was going to have to use a normal Hanomag as the tractor for a PAK 40 Platoon. I was not too keen on this as I need all that I have just to get everything else done.

 While looking in the spares box I came across the above item that held some promise. It seems to be a half Nitto type Hanomag that has had some major surgery. The wheels do not look right and the rear deck has Blue Box stamped on it. Balsa wood covers the back of cab...Very curious. 

 I thought I might get at least a 37mm AA  mounted on the rear deck anyway, but after searching the net I came across a Pritsche version. That was me set. Pritsche were damaged SdKfz 251's converted to field Cargo or Tractor units.

 I cut away the balsa wood at the back of the cab, and added a Roden cargo side set that Easternfunker had  kindly sent me a couple of years ago now. A wee bit of cutting and it fitted. Over the large mount I added some plastic to act as a bench seat. The plastic was actually part of the Airfix Matador rear canopy cover.

Headlights were pieces of Fujimi sprue.

 I replaced the wheels (Airfix 88mm gun) and built a axle from sprue. I then constructed a fender and mount for the front. For AA defence I added a Fujimi MG34 to finish off the construction phase.

The overhang at the rear is true to scale and the running tracks look about 1/76th leading to my hunch about it being ex Nitto.

 Painting was next with a black undercoat then yellow brown with a khaki disruptive scheme.

 Decals from the spares box. Avid Airfix buffs will recognise the 113 being from the StuG set.  

 A light black wash finished it off.

 Not one of the usual suspects I think this will fit in well with the TOE.

 I will probably add in a couple of the Matchbox seated German figures to act as the Guncrew while in travelling mode.

 100% happy with the outcome of this conversion considering what I started with. I think it has that adhoc German late war feel about it.

Model on!