Hello. I've got two questions:
1) While searching for reference pictures on the HANOMAG Sdkfz 251, I noticed that the back of the halftrack on some pictures have just an angled back, sort of a flat slope from the top of the vehicle down to the tracks...
...While others have a point on the back, similar to the Tamiya model. Anyone know what the difference is? Hope you can figure out what I mean by this. I lost the link to the website with pics of this...DOH!!!
2) Does anyone know of reference pics of the German 8 ton halftrack with an Anit Aircraft gun in the back? Thanks,

YodaMan

The 1st type you mentioned is SDKFZ251/D the 2nd type is 251 a,b,c The D type was the last production type

Yodaman , General Z. is correct.
In addition if your interested.
If I remember correctly there are 12 different variants of the Sd Kfz 250, and as many as
23 variants of the Sd Kfz 251. Then you have some such as the 250/3, 251/1, 251/7, etc which have an A, B, C, and D Ausfuhrung. Ausf. which means "model" - "mark " or "design".
Sd Kfz which is the abbreviation for Sonderkraftfahrzeug means " SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE".
Now everyone of these halftracks that were made - each variant had it's own SPECIAL PURPOSE. Each variant's features were different then the next, and each had a role to play in W.W.II, either carrying panzer-grenadiers (APC's) , observation, recon, and sometimes battlefied assault's as with the Sd Kfz 251/16 flammpanzerwagen ( Flame-Throwing Armored Vehicle )
The whole concept behind the Sd Kfz 251's were during the period of planning the Panzer divisions, requirements were detailed for an armored personnel carrier (APC), capable of carrying soldiers and accompanying the German tanks into battle.
Some had different angles on their body armor in the rear and sides as you were saying.
SOME EXAMPLES OF THE VEHICLES REAR-END:
1) The armored body with reverse sloped rear plate with double doors ( Sd Kfz 251 ).

2) Reverse sloped rear plate with no doors. ( Sd Kfz 251/16 ).

3) Slightly sloped & straight rear plate with single door , off center left ( Sd Kfz 250 Variants )

Then some halftracks as the Sd Kfz 250 leSPW Alte - had the " angled in " armored side's.
When the new ones ( Sd Kfz 250 leSPW - Neu & Sd Kfz 251's ) came along they had the slab sided ( straight ) armor with permanent stowage boxes along each side.
Also there was the "angled in " armored sides with stowage boxes that was also seen.

It's really a long winded subject. I can keep going on & on, but I'd be exhausted !
The best advise I can give you, if you want to know more on W.W.II German halftracks is pick up some encyclopedia's and book's on German armor like I have. They are priceless, when it come to subjects such as this.
This is just basic info I've given. I hope it helped you in some way
- ralph

YODA HERES SOME PICS - I don't know if
these are what you want - let me know.

[Sd Kfz 7/2

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/screamingeagle07/vwp?.dir=/Mail+Attachments/W.W.II&.src=ph&.dnm=Sd+Kfz+7-2.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/screamingeagle07/lst%3f%26.dir=/Mail%2bAttachments/W.W.II%26.src=ph%26.view=t

Sd Kfz 7/1
[url] http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/screamingeagle07/vwp?.dir=/Mail+Attachments/W.W.II&.src=ph&.dnm=Sd+Kfz+7-1+(+Photo+%232+).jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/screamingeagle07/lst%3f%26.dir=/Mail%2bAttachments/W.W.II%26.src=ph%26.view=t

Yodaman;
You could also check here : http://communities.msn.ca/wwIImilitaryvehicleresourcecentre Look under heading German Wheeled Vehicles, scroll down to sub heading German Semi-Tracks
sas

Very usefull link SAS, thank you!
Cheers!

Thanks for the help guys!
Screamineagle, thanks for the link!!! That's exaclty what I was looking for! (the one with the 3.7cm flak) I know on the Tamiya kit you are given wire mesh to put around the gun, but I've heard it was a lot more common to have the wood planks on the side. How frequently was the mesh used?
SAS, thanks. That's the link that I lost earlier.... guess I didn't think to look under wheeled vehicles.

YodaMan

YadaMan,

Here is a site dedicated to the Sd.Kfz. 251 http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Pit/3515/251/index.htm

Dave

Yodaman , I'm glad everything worked out for you.
I don't have the exact number of vehicle's with mesh compared
to vehicles with wood side gates.
My knowlegde & reference fall's short on that.
But, you can be assured which ever way you want to go, would be accurate,
if that is what your concerned about.
If I find out more I will email you the info.
- ralph

Thanks Ralph! You know, when I first started building armor I had no idea how much history there was attributed to each individual vehicle... figuring that out is half the fun! Thanks again!

YodaMan

Yes, you will find many a modeler who goes strictly by historical ref's and
some who don't. Either way is quite alright. - The most important
thing is to have fun - enjoy yourself !
The reference of a model is one of my favorite things about the hobby.
- ralph

hey yodaman,
the best reference on the sd fkz 251is by ryton publishing, sold only on the web at:

www.rzm.com

the most photos and artwork i've seen on the hanomag. expensive, but the best.
chris