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In-Box Review
187
Sd.Kfz 251/1 Ausf.B
Sd.Kfz 251/1 'Version B'
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by: Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]

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.

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Sharp photo-etch and crisp castings.
Lows: Artitec cast stowage onto and into this SPW. Modelers who want control over what stowage is present may object to this.
Verdict: 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.
  Scale: 1:87
  Mfg. ID: 87.051
  Suggested Retail: € 24,60
  PUBLISHED: Feb 14, 2018
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.00%

Our Thanks to Artitec!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Frederick Boucher (JPTRR)
FROM: TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

I'm a professional pilot with a degree in art. My first model was an AMT semi dump truck. Then Monogram's Lunar Lander right after the lunar landing. Next, Revell's 1/32 Bf-109G...cried havoc and released the dogs of modeling! My interests--if built before 1900, or after 1955, then I proba...

Copyright ©2021 text by Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Gosh, the internal stowage detail really is quite remarkable, and provides something of a contrast to plastic kits of this and similar subjects which are normally so inauthentically empty.
FEB 14, 2018 - 08:08 PM
Assembly has started. One of the neatest sub-assembly is the 3-piece P/E front suspension: Hopefully it'll be complete by the end of the day.
MAR 04, 2018 - 12:32 AM
Progress is glacial and yet progress it is. Painted in my favorite late 1942-early '43 scheme of Dunkelgelb over the pea green and Panzer Grau. Ran out of "panzer yellow" so I mixed my own. Airbrushing 1/87 is tricky. I have some spider-runs to clean up.
MAY 11, 2018 - 11:11 PM
An interesting site about the Sd.Kfz 251: LINK
JUN 05, 2018 - 02:37 PM
I didn't see a front bumper included in my kit. You list it in your review, but I don't see it in any of your pictures either. Am I missing something?
AUG 24, 2018 - 05:51 AM
What? No indy link tracks? Seriously, I can't imagine how you guys work on stuff that small! I'd go blind!
AUG 24, 2018 - 06:43 AM
No, my mistake. I will ask Artitec if the bumper is intended to be included, or if we are to use our ingenuity.
DEC 08, 2018 - 06:16 PM
   
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