For modellers, the Sdkfz 251 family with four production series and over twenty different variants presents a considerable range of interesting subjects. This new release from Dragon depicts the Ausf C version, which was in production from 1940 to 1943 and used until war's end with the Wurfrahmen rocket launcher system. This vehicle is often knows as "Stuka zu Fuss" to reflect its role of providing heavy area bombardment capability for the mechanised infantry.

Like many other recent Dragon releases it contains plenty of alternative parts, as well as several parts which are improvements over those included in earlier releases. Using the parts included in the kit, you have the option to build a 251 Ausf C in one of 4 widely used configurations:

• Sdkfz 251/1 Schweres Wurfrahmen 40 with the 28 cm Wurfkoerper Sprengranate (high-explosive) rockets fitted on to the launcher frames.
• Sdkfz 251/1 Schweres Wurfrahmen 40 with the 32 cm Wurfkoerper Flammgranate (napalm/jellied petroleum incendiary) rocket fitted on to the launcher frames.
• Sdkfz. 251/10 which had the 37mm Pak 36 mounted in place of the forward MG and was widely used by platoon leaders.
• Sdkfz 251/1 in standard armoured personnel carrier configuration with a forward MG (and no rocket launcher). This kit is a good choice for someone wishing to build the standard APC as it includes several improvements over Dragon's first 251/1 Ausf C (kit 6187).

The difference between the two configurations with the Wurfrahmen rocket launcher is simply the type of rocket that is mounted on the launchers. While it was possible for the troops to mix rocket types, photographic evidence suggests that this was not the norm. In addition the fact the two rocket types had different explosive characteristics and hence different optimal uses, and also different ranges (and thus would have needed the launch frames to be angled differently to converge on a common target) would have favoured not mixing types. Also most references note that while it was possible for the crew to fire the rockets from within the half-track, it was normal practice to do so from outside the vehicle using a remote trigger (not included in the kit) to avoid the considerable back blast from the thin stabilized rockets.

Rocket Launcher and Warheads

This kit features four new sprues containing the rockets and their launcher (3 x rocket and frame sprue and 1 x launch plate sprue). The overall standard of these parts is high with crisp detail such as the screw heads on the launcher frame, which was largely made from tubular steel and the use of slide-molding to depict the wood grain on the rocket crates.

As typical of new Dragon kits the "Wurfrahmen" and projectiles are made from considerable number of parts and are flexible as to how they are assembled.

Other features for the “Wurfrahmen" system include:

• Photo-etch aiming rod fitted on the front of the 251 which was used to align the vehicle with the target.
• Ability to adjust the launch angle (this was done to adjust the rocket's range of fire)
• The frames projector mounting arms can be constructed either folded or open for firing. This allows for the half-track to be modelled without any rockets and crates as is often seen in photos of vehicles in transit (leaving the crates off made the vehicle narrower).
• Six of each type of rocket and crate, having spares would be useful for dioramas and as the load for trucks. All crates are wooden with the wood grain detailed.
• The fuses for both the 28cm HE and 32cm incendiary projectiles are separate which allows for additional diorama potential.

Sdkfz 251/2 converted to Stuka zu Fuss

While the box describes the kit as being based on a SdKfz. 251/2, which carried the 80mm mortar, this kit does not include the mortar and hence can not be built as a factory fresh mortar carrier. However Kriegsstarkenweisung (Kstn) No. 1126 a(gp)(fG) which was issued in January 1944 ordered that the third gruppe of some specialist fire support companies were to remove the mortar from their Sdkfz 251/2 and fit the vehicles with Wurfrahmen 40 rocket launchers. Such units were often part of the Pionier companies in units such as Panzer and Panzer Grenadier Divisions. The information, that I have on this order is silent on whether or not these vehicles were re-designated as SdKfz 251/1, however the general precedent was for the German’s to re-designate converted vehicles (e.g. early production Panzer III which were re-armed with the L/24 75mm gun (Ausf N) were re-designated as Sdkfz 142/2).

Examination of photos of the Sdkfz 251/2 and an Ausf D which appears to have been converted from a mortar carrier to a Stuka zu Fuss, give a good indication as to how a field converted vehicle’s interior may have looked (and no doubt they differed a bit) and indicate that a converted Stuka zu Fuss can be built using the parts included in this kit. On the commander’s side of the vehicle, the mortar carrier had one ammunition rack (same racks as per 251/10 which are in this kit as part MB2) (instead of a rear bench set squab), which was fitted on top of the floor mounted stowage bin (part B20/D5). The photographed Ausf D had the stowage bin but had lost the rack and also did not have a seat squab (i.e. delete part B24). The mortar carrier (and the converted Ausf D) did not have rifle racks in the two rear upper stowage bins. The mortar carrier did not have a forward MG with shield (however the photographed vehicle had the a mount, but as it was bent it was hard to tell its exact original profile - either kit part C55 or C44), although I would expect that some converted vehicles had both the MG and shield fitted.

Sdkfz 251/10 with 37mm Pak 36

This is the second time Dragon has included the option to make a 251/10 Ausf C in a 3 in 1 release. In this release the Pak's gun shield is the earlier full size shield, which is in contrast to kit 6224 (251/7 Pioneerwagen) where the gun shield had the later lower profile. The earlier full size shield was widely used on the 251/10 Ausf B and according to some references was fitted to early production 251/10 Ausf C from mid 1940. Photos of later production Ausf C have the lower profile shields.

Like with kit 6224, this model includes an aluminum 37mm PAK barrel. However this kit also includes a full size photo-etched gun shield, which is preformed and has half etched detail. The plastic gun shield is also included. Even if you do not assemble this kit as a 251/10, these metal parts would be very useful for other projects such as enhancing Dragon’s 250/10 or the towed Pak 36.

The 251/10 replaces the rear bench seats of the 251, with photo etch ammunition racks for the 37mm rounds and includes the metal cases the rounds were stored in. This internal layout compares favourable with technical photos of the vehicle. One small point I noted was that the instruction sheet suggest you fit four Kar 98 carbines in each of the two rifle racks, while technical photos and the official listing of the weapons inventory only show two rifles per rack (my best estimate from the photos is that this can be largely corrected by reworking parts A3, A4, and cutting D12 and D8 in half). Having two rifles per rack is in keeping the 5 to 6 man crew of the 251/10 (the commander and driver both had an MP38/40 stored near their seat).

As expected most of the sprues are from Dragon's existing 251 Ausf C with the more common welded hull and this kit includes the upgraded parts found on the recent Pioneerwagen (kit 6224). The kit contains over 700 parts and many sub-components have been broken down into multiple parts. For example the suspension arms, which are positionable, are separate; the lower hull is built up from 3 main panels and there is detail hidden underneath the fighting compartment floor (these parts could be omitted to save time). From experience building another Dragon 251, this kit will require multiple modelling sessions to complete and while well suited for most modellers, care should be taken when aligning key parts such as the road wheels and hull. The instructions are a gatefold sheet with three colour line drawings.

The tracks are the familiar two part separate link tracks with one part for the rubber pad and the other for the shoe. These track parts do not have any injection marks and from experience can be removed quickly from the sprue with a fresh blade, but make sure to correctly align the three pins on the pad and be sparing with the glue.

Some of the features and upgrades including in this kit are:

• Brass width indicator rods
• Clear vision blocks which can be modelled either open or closed
• Upgraded front tyres (no sidewall markings) and upgraded rear road wheels with “VORWERK” sidewall markings.
• Photo etch detail including the seat backs and appliqué detail for the lower hull.
• Improved anti-skid plate detail for the fighting compartment floor
• Driver figure wearing a M43 field cap and M1942 field jacket with matching trousers and ankle length boots. This figure is moulded in Dragon styrene, which provides some give when positioning him.
• Vinyl tarpaulin which was been rolled back to only cover the rear third of the fighting compartment. This tarp also fits other Dragon 251 Ausf C. and Ausf. D vehicles.

Decals

Four Cartograph waterslide decal sheets are included and collectively offer considerable flexibility in what vehicles you can make, while also providing a good boost to the spares box:

• A medium sized sheet with numerous vehicle registration numbers and Wehrmacht “WH” and Waffen SS prefixes (the runes are broken into two parts) as wells as two sets of blank white plates (one with and one without black outlines), which will allow modellers to depict any specific 251 with these two forces.
• A medium sized sheet from the Sdkfz 251/1 Ausf C (riveted version) and provides a large range of 75 divisional markings (division emblems for Panzer Divisions 1 through to 14), Balkan Crosses and shipping stencils for the 251 family.

• A small sheet with 5 dashboard dials.
• A large sheet with further Balkan Crosses and two sets of tactical numbers 0 through to 9 in each of four different styles, as well as 5 more dash dials (repeats of a previous dials) and shipping stencils for the 251/16C flame-thrower halftrack.

The instruction sheet includes painting guides for three 251/1 with wurfrahmen and one 251/10 all from the Eastern Front.

Recommendation

This new kit is an appealing addition to Dragon's 251 series which allows modellers to depict the well photographed and eye catching "wurfrahmen" or "stuka zu fuss", or an early production 251/10 Ausf C. Key strengths of this kit include the upgraded parts, such as road wheels and the new brass shield for the Pak 36, and the considerable flexibility in how the rocket launcher can be assembled which make it well suited for dioramas. Definitely recommended.

Thank you to Erik van Mierlo for his assistance with the research.

Review sample provided by Dragon Models.

Review and photos by Neville Lord.

User Contributed Notes