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The explosion of larger scale kits of recent times is broadening to the ubiquitous Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D from Das Werk in 1/16th scale? We have the box art, history & feature set of the kit in our preview...
Das Werk's Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf. D in 1/16th scale
Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D
From Das Werk
1/16th scale
Item Number: DW16005
Four Decal Options
Price: 124.95 € 99.95 €*
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The Subject: The Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D
The Sd.Kfz. 251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251) was a German armoured half-track infantry fighting vehicle from World War II, developed by the Hanomag company on the basis of the unarmoured Sd.Kfz. 11 half-track vehicle. With at least 15252 vehicles and 23 variants produced by seven manufacturers, the Sd.Kfz. 251 became the most frequently produced German half-track vehicles of the war.
A Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D in 1945
The Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D was introduced in the spring of 1943 as a set of small changes in design for mass-production. The previous versions, also known as the “Alte” (around 4650 from June 1939 to September 1943) included the A, B and C, but the Ausf.D, also known as “Neue” was different, and 10,602 were built by Hanomag, MNH, Schichau Wumag, Weserhätte, Borgward, Evans+Pistor, Deutsche Werke and Büssing-NAG between 1943 and ’45. The modifications included many changes in production design.
Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.D captured by the Polish Home Army during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944
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The number of armoured panels was reduced from 19 to 9, permanent stowage boxes with padlocked access traps were added, replacing the former rear mufflers. Simple vision slits, simple flat engine hood panels with relocated air intakes under the hull, simplified reverse sloping rear end with flat door panels and many other minor modifications allowed the simplification of construction while offering the same protection, and it was far less labour-intensive.
A Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf.D in Italy
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A feat of engineering required in times of increasing Allied bombings and exhausting metal supplies. However, the internal configuration was unchanged since the Ausf.C, and the FuG Spr Ger f radio was still in use. By this stage in the war, the Ausf.D was more and more required for ad hoc modifications and conversions due to a dramatic increase in the need of fire support platforms of all kind.
Captured Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf D Chambois 20 August 1944
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The Kit: Das Werk's Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf. D in 1/16th scale
The new Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf. D in 1/16 scale from Das Werk comes at a good time for modellers. The new boom in this larger scale sees a lot of modellers wanting to join in and take up the challenge. Super detailers will have a lot to work with, and we have pointed the kit's feature set below...
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The kit's feature-set:
- Workable single link tracks
- Clear parts
- Detailed running gear with torsion bar suspension as on the original
- Floor armour can be attached separately to the chassis
- Detailed gearshift and gearbox
- Detailed brake system and fuel system
- Swinging front axle with steering angle can be represented
- Detailed cooling and exhaust system
- Detailed engine with open engine cover plates
- Detailed engine bulkhead u, instrument panel and radio set
- Detailed hatches and armament
- Floor plate segments can be opened individually to show the inside of the chassis
- Armour with realistic welds made of several separate armour plates
- Combat compartment and engine compartment can also be displayed dismantled due to separable flange connection
- Side boxes and storage compartments with detailed doors can be shown open or closed
- Rear crew door can be shown open or closed
Four decal options included in the kit:
- 97th Jäger-Division, April 1945 Bohemia, Deutsch-Brod
- 25th Panzergrenadier Regiment 25 ( 12th Pz. Division ), November 1944 Eastern Front / Kurland
- 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich , July 1944 Normandy / France
- 4. Fallschirmjäger Division, March / April 1944 Anzio / Italy
This kit is only just released in box art at this stage, but we can expect more CAD & Colour schemes soon. For more information on this kit check out their site at this link on the Das Werk Website