blog:military:models_sd251_halftrack [Target-Earth]

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====== Dragon, Sd.Kfz 251/1 + Pa.K 40 Anti-tank gun 1/72 kit ======

<WRAP box half round>
  * Manufacturer: Dragon
  * Part number: 7369
  * Year of production: 2008
  * Series: [[:blog:models:military:index|Military series]]
  * Scale: 1/72
  * Kit type: Scale model of WWII armoured vehicle
  * Vehicle: German halftrack with towed anti-tank gun
  * Price: £22.49 from [[https://www.emodels.co.uk|eModels]], August 2024
  * Build date: Started July 2025
</WRAP>

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:245270-14689-24-pristine.jpg?400|}}

This kit was bought to be displayed on my [[:blog:models:french_armour_display|WWII French Countryside Ambush display]], as part of the retreating German armour.
===== Build Log =====

=== Box Contents ===

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Instruction manual:

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Parts sprues for the halftrack and Pa.K 40 gun:

Parts are typical Dragon; nicely detailed, though some are far too small to be used by middle-aged adult hands!

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173352.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173404.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173420.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173429.jpg?500|}}

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Photoetch and metal detail parts:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173508.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173517.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173525.jpg?300|}} 

Small waterslide decal sheet:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20240825173538.jpg?300|}}

==== In Progress Images ====

**Basic construction started 17/07/25**. Intending to leave the wheels and interior parts off and paint them independently, before fitting (wheels fitted just for show in the image below):

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250717201416.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250717204500.jpg?500|}}

Rear bench seats and main interior parts:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250721134946.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250721135625.jpg?500|}} 

Driver from the Plastic Soldier Company [[:blog:military:models_panzer_commanders_stowage|German Stowage & Tank Commanders set]], it's close-enough to fit, especially when the upper body and drivers vision blocks are added:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250721145728.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250721145802.jpg?500|}}

Building the upper hull and adding mudguards:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250721192046.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250721194941.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250722193520.jpg?500|}}

Painted with Vallejo dunkelgelb surface primer and wheels added. Tyres painted in Vallejo NATO grey:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250730142504.jpg?500|}}
==== Completed Images ====

===== Size Problems! =====

It is difficult to find figures of the right size to work alongside the model - especially if you want to actually fit them inside.

From left to right, these figures are all marketed as 1/72 scale:

   * Plastic Soldier Company - [[:blog:military:models_british_infantry_44_45|Late War British]]
   * Caesar - [[:blog:military:models_german_panzergrenadiers_44|Panzer Grenadiers (Normandy)]]
   * Caesar - [[:blog:military:models_german_infantry_marching|German Infantry Marching]]
   * Caesar - [[:blog:military:models_german_tank_riders_camo|German Tank Riders (Camo)]]
   * HaT - [[:blog:military:models_german_tank_riders|German Tank Riders & Crew]]

These are all more or less the same overall height - within 1-2mm of each other, with the seated HaT figure being a few mm less than the others on average:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250802095725.jpg?600|}} 

HaT German Tank Rider, sitting on rear bench:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250802095748.jpg?1000|}}

Caesar German Tank Rider (camo), sitting on rear bench:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250802095818.jpg?1000|}} 

Same figures on/next to the [[:blog:military:models_panzer4j|1/72 Dragon Panzer IV]] - //all// of them look close enough for use on/next to the Panzer:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250802095917.jpg?1000|}}

Comparison of the Sd.Kfz 251/1 to the Panzer IV:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250802095958.jpg?1000|}}

=== Preiser, German Panzer Grenadiers in 1/72 ===

These are specifically sculpted to use in an Sd.Kfz 251 or similar:

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250807132836.jpg?200|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250807132843.jpg?200|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250807132902.jpg?200|}}

They're a lot better, probably still a touch on the large size (if I had to guess, 1/76 would fit about perfectly):

{{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250807133056.jpg?600|}} {{:blog:models:sdkfz_251_with_pak_40:img20250807133122.jpg?600|}}

A comparison of the three seated figure types:

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Caesar German Tank Riders (Camo suit ver.), Preiser Panzer Grenadiers, HaT German Tank Riders & Crew

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