Sd Kfz 251 17 Ausf C
Barcode: 0 2 2Case Pack: 20 pieces per master cartonBox Size: 9.6' x 15' x 3.1'The Sd.Kfz.251 series of halftracks was popular with German troops during WWII, with a whole range of variants eventually being fielded. Similarly, Dragon’s 1/35 range of Sd.Kfz.251 halftrack plastic kits are extremely popular with model-makers. The range is already extensive but Dragon is releasing another kit that offers even more versatility. The new 1/35 scale kit is an Sd.Kfz.251/17 Ausf.C halftrack, but the notable feature is that it’s a 2-in-1 kit. Modelers can thus build either a Sd.Kfz.251/17 fitted with a 2cm Flak 38 cannon, or an Sd.Kfz.251/17 Command Vehicle. On the former variant, the 20mm gun was mounted to have all-round traverse, though the original conversion necessitated considerable rebuilding of the superstructure. The Command Vehicle, on the other hand, was equipped with Fu5 and Fu7 radio sets as well as a distinctive frame antenna.Dragon offers the complete fighting compartments unique to these Ausf.C variants, meaning there’s no need for modelers to cut and rework the vehicle in order to produce a 251/17.
Sd.kfz 251/17 Ausf C Dragon
Though the details and configurations are complex, clever engineering by Dragon makes assembly a breeze. The set obviously incorporates Dragon’s highly accurate and prized 2cm Flak 38 gun too, which has been released previously. The overall result is a kit that’s very accurate, and the 2-in-1 status offers modelers an even wider scope of Sd.Kfz.251 vehicles to build.
First LookThe Germans found themselves getting more and more desperate for tactical air defense assets as the war progressed, and as such began to term to armored platforms to keep up with their units. Armored formations began to turn to Pzkw.
Sd Kfz 251 17 Ausf Crew
IV based chassis, but the Panzergrenadiers, in the interests of commonality and simplicity, turned to their trusty Sd.Kfz. 251 series halftracks for suitable platforms.The Sd.Kfz. 251/17 was one such platform, offering a 2 cm Flak 38 gun inside an armored hull with sufficient clearance and functionality that it could also be used with light armor protection against ground targets.
The result was the conversion of existing vehicles into the 'Stroke 17' platform and by October 1943 there were conversions of the Ausf. A and B in service. Three different versions of the 'Stroke 17' appeared on the Ausf. C chassis, but later more rational thinking took charge when the Ausf. D chassis were converted. Little information is available about the number of conversions that were made, especially with the major rebuilding required for the first three variants.Due to the fact that this variant is more striking than many other 251 types, it's always been popular with modelers. I recall a beautiful version done by Dave Armstrong back in 1973 out in California, as most of this model had been scratchbuilt.
DML has now provided an Ausf. C variant of this kit, using its now tried-and-true 251 modular kit assembly system.The 251/17 basically uses two kits – the baseline 251/1 Ausf. C kit with some changes in the basic sprues to create a new hull upper and lower section, and the 2 cm Flak 38 mit Sd.An. To this are added 80 new styrene parts and 71 etched brass parts.I'm not sure if DML is advertising or getting paranoid about some of the sniping it takes on the Internet, but this kit comes with a four-page flyer that describes what is new about the generic moldings and what is specific to the kit.
Counting bits on the sprues, I do have to point out that there are subtle changes to them and the number of parts on each one has changed slightly, so it appears DML may have a point about indicating what has been altered.In specific, however, this kit provides the new base for the Flak 38 in the center of the fighting compartment along with the fold-down sides. These are nicely detailed but do not work; the modeler is provided with several different settings and options to have them closed or cracked open. The braces that hold the sides in specific positions are included, along with the external rifle racks for the crews' personal weapons.As this is considered to be an 'older' chassis, it only provides the original kit's two-piece single link tracks, which are tedious to assemble.