Hello, guys.

It is time for me to start a new project. This time I have something bigger in mind than usual softskins I love to do.

I am thinking of a diorama with a SdKfz 251/17 as center. Among all SdKfz 251 variants, I find /17 as being the most interesting: it is the only one with drop-sides.

The kit is a highly detailed Dragon (thanks Jim, thanks Darren):


The kit offers two possible versions (of course they can be multiplied). I decided to build the one fitted as radio / command mobile center (not shown in the picture).

I'm thinking to deploy it as a mobile command center on a forward outpost (the best use I can imagine for such a special vehicle).

Along with the 251/17 I will build an observation tower, and I'm going to add a couple more kits: another 251 by Tamyia and a BMW 309 resin kit from Wespe Models as staff car, maybe a BMW 75 with side car as well, which is almost finished (I just messed up markings on this one - easy to finish).

Perhaps this building blog is going to be a little frayed - depending on available time and how I can orchestrate the whole assembly; I'll do my best to keep some order though.

OK, I'm ready to start. The following pictures are shoving the progress over the last week-end:



I'm not sticking with Dragon's building sequence because it's not suitable with my working style: paint as I go...


The wheels axles are pretty easy to install and align


The level of detail is excellent and the builder has two complete set of wheels (except the idler)

All parts were primed and base coated with panzergrau. Details to be painted / dry-brushed further...

Gabriel,
Be extremely careful with the arms on the folding doors. They are not called out in the instructions (neither are the mounts). Good luck with the kit. It is a beaut!
Regards,
Georg

Love half-tracks. Looking forward to more.

@ Georg: I'm not sure if you mean that...

Indeed, the instructions are a little unclear.

@ Jesper: I love them more than anything else; and I have a soft spot for all softskins....

Meanwhile, one of the few spots that need attention: the clutch pedal; no, is not the brake!)


And a little drybrushing to pick out some detail; the kit deserves it: the small detail is stunning!



Thank you for following and posting. I'll keep you updated.

Warm Regards,
Gabriel

Hello, all.

Time for another small update. I have encountered what seems to be the worst problem of this kit. Surprisingly, indeed: the other parts are rather blemish-less. Anyhow, the occurrence forced me into a three days delay:

Definitely, it is not such a big issue; it is just annoying...

I continued also with interior sub-assemblies and I individually painted bits and pieces; ready to be installed were only the driver's and radio operator's seats (Again, beautiful detail - you even have a choice to use etched parts or molded ones. I have chosen the etched ones - not shown in the present photo)


Thanks to all followers - more posting soon: dashboard almost finished and the side panels. I'll keep you posted.
Gabriel

Hello, friends.

Ready for new update. I have finished the dash and installed it in place:




I preferred hand painting over provided decals.

Detailed electric distribution box; wiring to be added after I install the radio equipment in place:


Sub-machine gun and ammunition pouch on radio operator side - the same on driver's side (not shown)


Back door assembly finished - fire extinguisher still missing; finished painting but not detailing:


Moved further to the tracks: hastily done jig:


I am very happy with Dragon's set. The length of the tracks is asymmetrical, as were the real ones, they fit very well and show beautiful sag under own weight. The sprocket wheels not yet glued in place - I still need to take them out for painting / weathering:




The forward structure added: the fit it's very good - I'm just being over-cautious (don't ask me why!)


Thanks for following,
Gabriel

Coming along fine Gabriel.

Thanks, Jesper.

As I said already, the kit is wonderfully detailed and deserves the best effort...

I've finished by now the tracks (painting and drybrushing) and stored them in plastic bags for final assembly / weathering.

Cheers!
Gabriel

Hi, guys.

Time for another update. The model is getting in the final construction stages.

... and the first issues with the fitting; I quite cannot figure out how Dragon missed that: obviously are design problems:




I focused more on small details to seal out the interior construction and painting


Thank you very much for following; I'll keep you updated - soon.

Coming along nicely!!

Thank you, Ron.

Wow, very nice work, I am especially impressed with the dash and gauges - hand painted you say? You should do a tutorial on how to get that kind of detail!

Thank you, Colin. I will do a tutorial if Chronos is with me.
Cheers!

Hi, guys.

I finally made some more progress on my 251/17.

First, I sealed the interior.
The radio sets finished:


... and installed on frame


Upon gluing on place the radio stack, the radio operator seat make a nice assembly

The gun platform was a little warped and needed some reinforcement.


More updates soon.

Hi, guys.

Update time (again!)

Some filler was needed to seal small cracks along the drop sides:


The interior and undersides protected prior to painting:


Primer applied. As you can see, I have some exterior details left for later. I secured that way the most available space for refining the model's surface, just in case:


Frontal view with the primed model:


After I smoothed the surface in a couple of places, I added more external detail - always trying to minimize the risk of knocking out by handling fragile detail:


Adding the little PE straps was a nerve-raking affair:


Thanks for following. I'm on a spree and more updates soon, probably tomorrow.

Gabriel

Hi, guys.

As promise, another update.
After priming, I applied some dark paint on the undersides and around the contours, in attempt to give more "volume" to the build as assembly:


First coat of base color follows. The black underlines still visible, although faint: exactly the effect I sought after:


The second coat is applied with light tonal variations; unfortunately, they're almost invisible on the camera, with the exception of the vertival undersides:


Another two views with the painting at this stage. You can compare with plainly primed model (up in the blog). The difference is quite obvious regarding the visual impact.



I have done some more work which is not ready yet to be published. Specifically, small details and decals were work upon.

Thank you for following.

Cheers!
Gabriel

Hi, guys.

There I come again, with another small update:
The painting of external details at mid-stage:

I am still thinking if I shall use a couple Karabiner as internal stowage; the gun plarform looks bare (suggestions more than welcome)

Decals applied. I have to admit I was a little nervous at this stage. Too bad for me: the decals performed impeccably:





Thank you for following. Next update probably Monday.
Gabriel

Hi, guys.

New (small) update.

The SPW was lightly dry-brushed and more external details added.
Only a few element left to complete: the mud guards, license plates, aerial frame and the two MG.

My biggest decision yet to take is the internal stowage and the figures. I am intending to place a seated figure on the radio operator's chair and a standing figure in front, to mask the absence of the driver.

Until then, a few pictures with the new added details:










Thank you for following, posting and commenting.

Cheers,
Gabriel

You're making good progress there Gabriel. Looks great.

looks good Gabriel, i've got a softspot for anything anti-flying thingy at the moment

really neat assembly and paintwork there

Hi, guys.

@ Jesper: Thank you, sir, for your consistent support. Duly indebted.
@ Colin: Thank you so much. I'm not particularly pleased with heavy weathering, although I understand where from the claim for "realism" comes.

At this point the construction is virtually finished. I need only to add some internal storage and a couple of figures. I am digging deep into my stash for the right figures right now... not entirely sure I find what I need but I just ordered a couple other kits that may help.

Until I go any further with detailing, I am able to present you the completed model (without weathering and figures):













After that it is time to introduce you to Olaf.
It was dubbed like that by my best friend daughter from unknown reasons but the name got stuck (I'm still smiling). Olaf is a BMW with sidecar:

I was working to it in between for some time, practicing super-detailing - the result is OK, I think. The progress stalled at the figure and on small details...

The only problem I see is to change the regimental emblem: I envisioned it first as a transmissions vehicle; the present diorama requires a recce abteilung sign; fortunately I didn't went too far with decaling and the mission is quite simple.
At the right moment I will divulge the other 4 vehicles I intend to place together...

Thank you for following and posting.

Cheers, Gabriel

Hi, guys.

After some talking to myself, I decided to make the most out of the Dragon kit. Since in the box comes the entire flak and I didn't use it for SPW, I thought will be too much of a waste if I just abandon the beautifully detailed flak for "later date."

Many war photos are showing SdKfzs employed as prime movers towing small artillery pieces. Why my command vehicle couldn't be towing a flack during the unit's movement?

The gun platform and some "extras":


The trailer frame prior to painting:


Test fit from two angles (excellent):



Meanwhile, I carried on with detailing the first figure (the motorcycle rider) - still far from complete:




Thank you for following; comments welcome, as always.

Warm Regards,
Gabriel

Going good!
Just a few notes; the sight on the forward MG is used for anti aircraftpurposes, so should, if used, be on the rear MG.

The coat on the motorcycle rider should be a much lighter grey.

@Ron: About the MG I had my doubts too; I decided to give credit to Dragon. I double checked my references, but I couldn't find any clarifying image. All I know the MG has enough elevation and traverse to be employed in AA role. Perhaps is better (and more credible) if I completely remove the aiming device.

Regarding the colour of the coat, you are correct. That is the under layer of paint which was shadowed, but not yet highlighted. I am in course of applying a light grey filter to reduce the hue saturation.

Thank you for well aimed comments.
Gabriel