Introduction

The following introduction is taken from the ICM website:

The Sd.Kfz.251 semi-tracked armoured personnel carrier was the main armoured vehicle of the Wehrmacht. It was designed by Hanomag in 1938 and mass production started the following summer. The armoured personnel carriers were in service with the German army throughout the Second World War and were used in all theatres of operations, with a total quantity of 15,252 vehicles of various series and modifications. The first modification, the Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.A, was produced in 1939-1940. One of the versions was the Sd.Kfz.251/8 for evacuating the wounded from the battlefield. It could carry a different number of wounded, for example, two lying on a stretcher and four sitting. The stretchers were suspended on special mounts, and semicircular rails for an awning were installed on top of the body to protect it from the rain. The equipment of the transporter also included a drinking water tank, and an additional step was installed at the rear to facilitate boarding the transport compartment. Usually, armoured medical transporters were part of Stabskompanie. To distinguish them from other vehicles, they had large signs with a red medical cross on their bodies.

Review

This offering ICM arrives in the usual flip top cardboard tray, with additional card lid. Inside the contents are packaged in a single plastic bag, with the decals protected inside the instruction booklet. This sample was crushed in the post, and looking over the mouldings I cannot see any damage and so this is testament to the packaging ICM uses. Access for removal of parts is good, the gates are of a reasonable size and there are no immediate issues with the mouldings that jump out at you. 

ICM released a figure set recently showing an injured German soldier being treated in the field and this addition of a half track performing an ambulance role is a nice follow on release, but I would not be surprised with these 2 offerings being released together in the future. This kit is a modified version of the half track of Sd.Kfz.251/8 as such I will keep this review short.

The model is provided with a decent replication of the engine and cooling system, although you are not really able to see much of it once the kit is complete. The fire wall provides the instrument cluster, the dials for which are provided as decals. The driver’s area of the vehicle is reasonably well detailed, although I believe the rear of the seat was made up with springs with a canvas cover, these metal rings were visible on the rear of the seat and that is not replicated here - I do however accept that it is possible that more than one seat type was utilised. Looking around the interior components of the model, the surprise for me is that an MP40 is shown inside the vehicle and it is my belief that weaponry was not permitted on ambulance vehicles with the exception of side arms. 

The seats are the fold up version, with one side raised and a stretcher installed. Looking at the interior parts included, while I am generally pleased I was expecting to find more medical equipment installed or at the very least storage areas for immediate medical attention. Some minor surgery is required on the upper portion of the hull in removing the weapon station mounts. The hatches in the bodywork are well detailed inside and out. The road wheel station mounts are set in a neutral position, with the tracks and front tyres provided in vinyl rubber, which can be a bone of contention with modellers. Curved canvas roof supports are included and although no canvas elements are included the modeller could utilise them as desired. 

ICM has provided 2 finishing options for this release:

Livery variant for North Africa, 1941/42

Livery variant for the Eastern Front, 1941/42

Review

This release from ICM is a nice follow up to the injured figure set release, as ambulance and medical recovery vehicles get very minimal cover. Internal layout for the model looks reasonable, even if I expected to see more medical kit storage. Exterior wise detail looks as expected, but I am not expert on the subject. I know that the tracks and tyres will upset some, as vinyl rubber tends to be a bone of contention. One area I particularly liked are the viewing hatches around the hull and the interior detail present.