Tamiya 1/48 Sd.Kfz 251 in allied service as an ambulance.

[Jim R]

Quite a while ago I bought this book at a show and to be honest I had forgotten I had it.


It reappeared a few weeks ago during a sort out. I have decided to build an Sd.Kfz. 251 as a captured vehicle converted for use by the allies as an ambulance.

From my bit of research it seems that these German half-tracks were well thought of and a few were captured and pressed into service by the allies.

The base kit will be this Tamiya 1/48 kit. I have built a few of these 1/48 Tamiya kits and I rather like them.


This is what you get in the box.






I also treated myself to some 3D decals for the cab. They look very small but very nice.


The only alterations needed will be some interior work to accommodate a couple of stretchers, which will need scratching, and some hoops with a canvas cover. I'll also change the rear doors to an open position.

I have some figures on order which should be easy to convert to US medical personal. I've also bought the necessary MRP paints

I hope some of you may find this of interest. The missus is baking buns and getting out the best china as we speak

 

[Jack L]

In for this one Jim. I really want the Opel ambulance with the interior, but they are silly money.

 

[Andy the Sheep]

I will follow your build with pleasure. The subject is original and my curiosity for Tamiya 1/48 kits adds even more interest.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

What a great idea, following with interest

 

[Jakko]

I have decided to build an Sd.Kfz. 251 as a captured vehicle converted for use by the allies as an ambulance.

That vehicle was one I was considering building from my Dragon 1:35 scale kit last year, but eventually decided on something else. I don’t think it’s a vehicle converted by the Allies to an ambulance, but rather, that it’s an Sd.Kfz. 251/8 mittlerer Krankenwagenpanzer (approx. “medium armoured ambulance”) with some quick American markings added. Here is the photo that your colour artwork is based on:



You can see that the vehicle doesn’t have the curved “rail” on the front roof, which indicates it had no machine-gun mounting there either, and that points to this being a /8 rather than a /1.

The problem for the modeller is that the /8 had a very different interior from the /1, due to the need to carry stretchers with wounded:


(source)

This is an Ausf. C, but the D would not have differed a lot. I notice there’s a thread on Britmodeller about converting one in 1:35th scale, which may give you inspiration for how to do the same for yours? I also converted one as a wargames model in 1:72 some years ago, though not with as much detail, of course.

OTOH, the quick option would be to assume it is a /1 that the Americans used as an ambulance — then you could just keep the existing interior

 

[Andy T]

Ooh, I'll settle in for this if I may.

I'm stocking up on those tamiya 1/48 kits but haven't got this one yet.

 

[JR]

I'm also in please Jim.
Great idea, interesting photos from Jakko.

 

[Jim R]

Thanks for your interest guys

Jakko - once again thanks for your ability to find reference photos and for sharing your knowledge. Genuinely appreciated. I have the second photo but not the first. It does seem that the vehicle in question was an ambulance before falling into allied hands. I think I'm going to go with a compromise and build a vehicle which MIGHT have existed seeing as how a few 251s were pressed into allied service. I will leave the left hand bench seat as is. Apart from the solid end it is ok. I will cut out the right hand bench seat and cobble up some sort of rack to take two stretchers. The 251/8 photo shows the rack suspended from the roof(?). I think I'll go with a "possible US DIY" rack. I cant really use the seat base as a stretcher carrier as it slopes. Depending on how much space there is I may include a single seat at the right rear as shown in the photo. You're probably right in that the photo is not a Ausf. D as the door hinges look to be big tube things which were used on the angled rear door whereas the simplified D had much simpler hinges - I think I'm right there
By the way - what is that big round thing behind the front seats?





Thanks again

 

[Jim R]

A bit of progress. It's been rather too warm in the workroom recently to spend much time there.
I cut out the right side seat base and built a couple of stretcher racks.





I scratched a couple of stretchers



The 3D decals are incredible. My photos don't really do them justice.



The radio is about 7mm across.

The interior is now detail painted and it had some oil work weathering. When it's dry I can button up the interior.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

oooh Jim!

 

[scottie3158]

Jim,
Cracking work mate. I love the stretchers what did you use for the canvas?

 

[JR]

Very neat as expected Jim, nice scratchery on the racks and stretchers.

 

[Mini Me]

Wowser Jim....that i.p. is sweet! All looks great, love the scratched racks for the stretchers. As to the big round thing....it reminds me of a recoil plate for a mortar, but the 8cm. Was mounted further back in the vehicle....perhaps Jakko has an idea as to it's function.

 

[Jakko]

You're probably right in that the photo is not a Ausf. D as the door hinges look to be big tube things which were used on the angled rear door whereas the simplified D had much simpler hinges - I think I'm right there

Sorry, I missed this question The Ausf. D had very simple hinges, because the rear was a plain, flat plate. The hinges in the photo of the real interior clearly show it’s an Ausf. A, B or C, as they needed something this elaborate due to the pointed hull rear.

By the way - what is that big round thing behind the front seats?

In the photo of the real thing? Off the top of my head, I seem to remember it’s a tank for drinking water, for the casualties.

 

[Allen Dewire]

Late in Jimbo and this is going to be a super build!!! Great progress, and your scratchy in 1/48 is superb my friend!!! The Quinta 3D decals look tops and make the dash and radio pop out...

Were they the last two bandages in the first aid kit you used for the stretchers'??? Hope not...If you should cut your finger during the build, I guess you'll be a goner..........Oh, and please throw Dr. Merryweather a sammich. I think he's hungry again...

Prost
Allen

 

[Waspie]

I'm late to the party too Jim. Love the half tracks. This is setting itself up for another cracking build. Love the stretchers, already feeling like a quick lie down!!!

 

[Ernie]

Very neat and precise work on the scratched stretcher supports! The stretchers look great too.

 

[Jim R]

Thanks guys for all your kind comments. The canvas I used for the stretchers was some I had left over from the hammocks on the HMS Victory cross section which some may remember.
I've done all the interior painting so it can be buttoned up. I made a couple of blankets to go on the stretchers. Just bits of wet wipes soaked in dilute PVA.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

looks the bomb, Jim!

 

[Jakko]

It certainly looks convincing.