Sd.Kfz.251/21 Ausf.D from AFV Club - 1/35
Dec 31, 2021 23:35:25 GMT
Paul B, JEFF, and 5 more like this
Post by andyclaesens on Dec 31, 2021 23:35:25 GMT
Happy New Year Chaps, here is my entry to my first GB here,
The Build starts tomorrow but here's a bit of history to kick it off.
The Sd.Kfz.251/21 – Schützenpanzerwagen "Drilling" (Triplets) was an anti-aircraft variant of the ubiquitous 251 developed from the 251/17. The “Drilling” prototypes were tested in early 1944 on the Ausf.C, but production only occurred on the Ausf.D and 242 examples were built. Although these were heavier calibre, they had shorter barrels so overall weight was virtually the same, the only difference being the weight of ammunition carried.
They were initially armed with triple Mauser 15 mm MG151s on a conical mount derived from the naval type mount, bolted on the floor just behind the transmission housing. They were later replaced by 20 mm (0.79 in) MG151 lightweight Luftwaffe guns.
The triple mount was belt-fed from bins mounted on the pedestal of the mount with the middle gun receiving 400 rounds and the outer pair, 250 each. Total ammunition carriage was 2,000 rounds of mixed anti-personnel, armour piercing, incendiary and tracer. With a cyclic rate of fire of 700 rpm per gun could potentially burn off it's ammunition in 90 seconds.
The guns were surplus weapons from the Luftwaffe which was now using heavier models. They were fixed complete with their standard aircraft cradles and joined together to the top bracket of the pedestal, pivoting on trunnions for maximum elevation and traverse. They were aimed using an optical (reflector) sight and then later a simpler design with speed ring.
The gunner operated them sitting on a free swinging inside the hull, protected by a partial turret (open to the rear) and in a number of vehicles the rear armour plate behind the crew was removed to give full unemcumbered 360 degree travel.
They were chiefly employed by the reconnaissance units of the 45th Panzerdivision, 3 per Panzergrenadier battalion accompanied by a command version, without the gun but with a FU-10 radio and frame antenna, armed with two MG 34 or 42s for close defence. My research so far mainly indicates use on the Western front although the kit only offers markings for Eastern front vehicles.
Although primararilly designed for anti-aircraft use, in practice it could be very effective against soft skin ground targets.
That's the historical bit out of the way so it will be on with the build tomorrow. All comments gratefully received.
Hope you enjoy the show.
Happy New Year all.
Andy
The Build starts tomorrow but here's a bit of history to kick it off.
The Sd.Kfz.251/21 – Schützenpanzerwagen "Drilling" (Triplets) was an anti-aircraft variant of the ubiquitous 251 developed from the 251/17. The “Drilling” prototypes were tested in early 1944 on the Ausf.C, but production only occurred on the Ausf.D and 242 examples were built. Although these were heavier calibre, they had shorter barrels so overall weight was virtually the same, the only difference being the weight of ammunition carried.
They were initially armed with triple Mauser 15 mm MG151s on a conical mount derived from the naval type mount, bolted on the floor just behind the transmission housing. They were later replaced by 20 mm (0.79 in) MG151 lightweight Luftwaffe guns.
The triple mount was belt-fed from bins mounted on the pedestal of the mount with the middle gun receiving 400 rounds and the outer pair, 250 each. Total ammunition carriage was 2,000 rounds of mixed anti-personnel, armour piercing, incendiary and tracer. With a cyclic rate of fire of 700 rpm per gun could potentially burn off it's ammunition in 90 seconds.
The guns were surplus weapons from the Luftwaffe which was now using heavier models. They were fixed complete with their standard aircraft cradles and joined together to the top bracket of the pedestal, pivoting on trunnions for maximum elevation and traverse. They were aimed using an optical (reflector) sight and then later a simpler design with speed ring.
The gunner operated them sitting on a free swinging inside the hull, protected by a partial turret (open to the rear) and in a number of vehicles the rear armour plate behind the crew was removed to give full unemcumbered 360 degree travel.
They were chiefly employed by the reconnaissance units of the 45th Panzerdivision, 3 per Panzergrenadier battalion accompanied by a command version, without the gun but with a FU-10 radio and frame antenna, armed with two MG 34 or 42s for close defence. My research so far mainly indicates use on the Western front although the kit only offers markings for Eastern front vehicles.
Although primararilly designed for anti-aircraft use, in practice it could be very effective against soft skin ground targets.
That's the historical bit out of the way so it will be on with the build tomorrow. All comments gratefully received.
Hope you enjoy the show.
Happy New Year all.
Andy