Does anyone know when the high gun mount was introduced into production for the 250/8? I wanted to use one in either a Narva early summer '44 diorama or a Metz fall '44 diorama.

My research has turned up that these were intorduced in '44, but I couldn't find out about when.

Also, I have some great Archer Waffen SS divisional insignia sets, and was hoping to use either Gotz von Berlichingen in Metz, or would like to use Nederland in Narva...any comments?

Thanks for your help!

I think I'd tend towards Gotz v. Berlichingen. As the 17th SS Division formed in France in 1943, it did have something like a "proper" Panzergrenadiere unit organisation, so was more likely to have this equipment (although much of the original MT was ex-French). It was also something of a semi-elite unit, though not in the same league as say LAH. Nederland was formed later from the remnants of the Duch "foreign legions", I'd query whether they had many half-tracks.
Just a gut reaction.

According the standard catalog of german military vehicles (Doyle), production of the SdKfz 250/8 with the K51 high mount started in October, 1944. There was an earlier, non-highmount version, but I've never seen a photo of one. They appear in german panzer division to&e as early as 1941...

An example of a very late war thing. A rare one too - as far as I can tell there were two of them in the heavy platoon of light panzer recon companies. A late 1944 panzer recon battalion had only one such company - the other companies being 1-staff and armored cars, 2- armored recon (SdKfz 250/5's and 250/9's), 3- light recon (SdKfz 250's) 4- recon (SdKfz 251's). Panzer grenadier companies used 251/9's. So, I think there were only 2 of them per panzer or panzer grenadier division.

It would be safe to assume both nederland and the 17SS would have gotten a pair before January '45.

Photos of them are not common, and a photo of the interior layout, seemingly unknown.

Thanks...so it seems like the vehicle wouldn't be appropriate for either Narva or Metz (Metz fell in November)...I'll have to reconsider these units.

Thanks for the help!