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Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.
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Difference between Sd.Kfz 7/1 and 7/2?
vonMarshall
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Posted: Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 07:40 AM UTC
I am just trying to get my head around the difference between the 7/1 and 7/2.

Am I right in thinking that the only differences were in the mountings on the rear deck for the Flakveirling (7/1) or Flak 37 (7/2) and that all other details including chassis, engine, tracks, wheels and cab were the same? I know there is both the exposed and armoured cab for each model but I suppose they were the same too.

The reason I ask is I have Dragon 6252 Sd.Kfz.7/2 in my stash but would prefer to stick my AFV Flakveirling on it rather than the Flak 37, thus creating an armoured cab 7/1. Is it this simple or am I missing something?


bill_c
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Posted: Sunday, October 17, 2010 - 08:45 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I am just trying to get my head around the difference between the 7/1 and 7/2.

Am I right in thinking that the only differences were in the mountings on the rear deck for the Flakveirling (7/1) or Flak 37 (7/2) and that all other details including chassis, engine, tracks, wheels and cab were the same?

The simple answer is "yes, but."

The vehicles were more or less identical, though there were differences between the various manufacturers.

But the Vierling had at least two mounts, with the DML and Cyberhobby kits showing the difference (the first version was built-in, the second was mounted on a sled that could be removed.

Quoted Text

The reason I ask is I have Dragon 6252 Sd.Kfz.7/2 in my stash but would prefer to stick my AFV Club Flakveirling on it rather than the Flak 37, thus creating an armoured cab 7/1. Is it this simple or am I missing something?

I am not familiar with the AFV Club kit, but the key to it would be the mount. An AM manufacturer has released the sled for the Sd.Kfz.7/1 in resin, but I don't remember who it is (it was in the news here on Armorama about a month or so ago). I don't know if it is the same as the mount on the AFV Club kit or not.
vonMarshall
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 12:24 AM UTC
Thanks for the insight Bill.

As I understand it, the early 7/1s had the quad mounted directly but the later ones just used the standard mounting so they could be removed from the vehicle and reused if the vehicle broke down. I did not know they used a specific sled though so will do some research into that and try and find the AM one you refer to.

Do you know if the armoured cabs were the same design as those used on the 7/2's? There are 2 different cab designs on the DML 7/2 model and I do not know which one to use.

Also, when they started using the armoured cabs on the 7/1, had they already moved away from painting everything Panzer Grey or did the armoured cab conversions start early enough that I could get away with the grey?

I realise there is not hard and fast rule with anything but would appreciate your guidance. I have trawled through all of your builds and reviews and it is very much your fault that I am now fascinated with the 7/1 and 7/2!

I intend to get some reference books for this area of modelling that I know little about. Which book would you say is the "must have"?
bill_c
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 04:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I did not know they used a specific sled though so will do some research into that and try and find the AM one you refer to.

It's always dodgy with Axis vehicles to say "they used a specific X" as Germany's war production started out behind the eight ball (Hitler had told the Wehrmacht he wouldn't begin the war until 1945 at the earliest). Converting factories to wartime production didn't occur immediately (see
alanmac
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 05:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I am not familiar with the AFV Club kit, but the key to it would be the mount. An AM manufacturer has released the sled for the Sd.Kfz.7/1 in resin, but I don't remember who it is (it was in the news here on Armorama about a month or so ago). I don't know if it is the same as the mount on the AFV Club kit or not.


Her ya go, from Masterpiece Models, but I reckon its not beyond scratchbuilding, although I don't think it was used in the context of a Sd.Kfz.7, more trucks like Blitzs etc.



Alan
alanmac
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 05:23 AM UTC
Hi

If you do want to have a go at scratch building the sled here is a great thread by the very talented modeller Luiz Carlos Pacheco Barroso which shows him looking at pictures and making his own, I believe before Rick Lawler made his master for the resin version.

Blitz with Flak on Sled



Alan
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 05:51 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have Dragon 6252 Sd.Kfz.7/2 in my stash but would prefer to stick my AFV Flakveirling on it rather than the Flak 37, thus creating an armoured cab 7/1.


I've got a few walkaround pics of a late Sd.Kfz 7/1 with armored cab I can send you. If you're interested, just PM me your email adress.

HTH

Frenchy
bill_c
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 08:05 AM UTC
Thanks, Alan, I see on more careful reading that this AM upgrade includes the wooden bed. That would be, as you point out, more appropriate for a Blitz. Can anyone tell if the metal support structure comes with the AM kit or is part of the styrene this upgrade is supposed to work with?

I don't mean to beat this to death, but as has already been mentioned, as the war progressed, the Nazis did away with the dedicated Vierling mount in favor of something that could employ the portable mount off-the-shelf.
vonMarshall
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 08:52 AM UTC
Thanks Frenchy, PM sent.


Quoted Text

I don't mean to beat this to death, but as has already been mentioned, as the war progressed, the Nazis did away with the dedicated Vierling mount in favor of something that could employ the portable mount off-the-shelf.


Is it possible they just did away with the mount and simply used the standard ground mounting just bolted to the floor? No need for a sled. Just undo the bolts if the vehicle becomes stricken and your flakvierling is ready to go.
vonMarshall
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2010 - 10:41 PM UTC
Thanks to the photos from Frenchy, it appears that the armoured cab 7/1 (at tleast the one in the museum that the photos are of) had a small extra leg welded to each of the three legs which was then bolted to the floor. No sled in sight. It should be easy to scratch an extra bit onto the standard AFV club ground mounting and load it onto the 7/2.
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