Introduction

Sd.Kfz 251/1 "Version B" is a 1/87 resin and photo-etch kit from Artitec. It is kit no. 87.051. (The proper nomenclature for "Version B" is Ausf.B, i.e., Ausführung, or "version.")

The Wehrmacht Sd.Kfz 251 was classified as a mittlere Schützenpanzerwage (medium riflemen armored vehicle), or SPW. Sd.Kfz 251 history is well known so I will not recount it here aside from noting that the Ausf.B were present in the 1940 Blitzkrieg. As such they are at home in any campaign after Poland, and the angular beauty looks good in everything from dunkelgrau, through late-war ambush schemes.

An interesting site about the Sd.Kfz 251 is available via Click here for additional images for this review, below.

Artitec of the Netherlands was founded by modelers and their passion for the hobby is obvious.
Artitec produces a wide range of models of railroad, military, maritime and automotive subjects, and related accessories - over 260 in HO alone. They also make kits in 1/72, 1/120 (TT scale for model railroading), N ( 1/160) and Z (1/220). Predominately of Dutch, Belgian, French and German prototypes, these models consist of resin and some have photo-etched metal parts.

The Kit

Artitec packaged their Sd.Kfz 251/1 Ausf.B in a sturdy lid-bottom box; box art is a photograph of the assembled model. The box was secured in shrink wrap. The resin SPW body was wrapped in soft foam while the wheels and track gear sprue was loose. The photo-etch frets and decals were sealed in a plastic zip-lock bag, and the instructions were loose. Foam peanuts were used as filler.

Buff resin was used in casting. Like other Artitec AFVs I have, casting quality is very high with no air pocks nor warping, with crisp detail and sharp relief and recessed shapes. Minor flash is present on my sample. Artitec removed the body from the pour block but left the running gear and wheels on their block.

A good start. Let's look at the detail.

Detail

Artitec mastered the model with fine recessed and raised surface details, as appropriate. Fine hinge and latch detail on the storage bins and elsewhere are present.

Almost every detail is cast onto and into the main body casting:

Exterior
Headlamps
Brake lamps
Fenders
Mufflers
Fire extinguisher
Vision port visors
Pionier tools
Knapsacks & tarps
Jerry cans
Helmet
Interior
Floor plate
Seats & benches
Steering wheel
Stowage
More knapsacks, bread bags & tarps
More jerry cans
A PaK 36 ammunition can and a Teller mine?

I marvel at how they achieved the undercuts of much of the detail shapes.

Not all detail is cast on and that brings us to the photo-etch. I count 18 sharply etched brass pieces. These include:

MG 34 x 2
Machine gun shield and rear mount
Rear mud flaps
3-piece front axle and steering assembly
Transmission levers
Interior storage racks
Tow hooks
Gauge poles and mirror

The MG 34s have surface detail etched into them.

The box art and instructions show a bumper but there was not one in my kit. This HO scale SPW offers a lot of detail.

Instructions and Decals

Artitec's instructions are simple exploded-view line art. Each part is keyed to the color to paint it.

Humbrol paint is referenced. Seven colors are recommended for this kit.

National and tactical markings are extremely limited to two Balkancruz. I believe that these are dry transfers and not waterslide decals.

Conclusion

Artitec has kitted an impressive braille scale Sd.Kfz 251/1 Ausf.B It features high quality casting and sharply etched parts.

Artitec cast stowage onto and into this SPW. Modelers who want control over what stowage is present may object to this; perhaps the extra detail afford by the P/E will be make them overlook the cast-on items?

Modelers and collectors of 1/87 Sd.Kfz 251 and Wehrmacht vehicles should be pleased with this remarkable model. It can stand alone or be incorporated into dioramas and model railroad layouts.

Recommended.

Please remember to mention to Artitec and retailers that you saw this model here - on ARMORAMA.