Bolt Action SdKfz 251/7 Ausf. D Pionierwagen

A bit of a sneaky release by Warlord Games, with the Campaign Stalingrad book a new plastic kit came along - the Sd.Kfz 251/7 Ausf. D Pionierwagen.

There was a Pionierwagen kit available before, based upon the plastic Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. C with a few resin parts added, to create the /7 variant. In this case we have the 251/1 Ausf. D as a base with an additional plastic frame, as we've seen in the kit of the Flammpanzerwagen, Stummel or mortar carrier.

The Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251 (mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz. 251) was an armoured half-track personnel carrier, that was build in large numbers and used by the Wehrmacht, and the armed forces of Italy, Hungary and Romania. It was the base for many variants and produced by 4 different manufacturers, but never the less called "Hanomag" by both sides of the war.

Based upon the Sd.Kfz 251 were build many different variants, designated with numbers behind the 251, for example 251/2 with an 8cm grenade launcher, 251/20 with infra red lights, or in this case the 251/7 as mittlerer Pionierpanzerwagen. The /7 Pionierpanzerwagen is the same as the /5 variant, but covers two detachable assault bridge ramps. As we have the Ausf. D, here, which was produced from early 1943 onwards, it is a good match for mid- and late war armies.

Warlord Games offers the Sd.Kfz 251/7 Ausf. D as a full plastic kit for 20 GBP.

The kit includes a coloured instruction leaflet, which explains a bit of background on the vehicle, a multistep assembly guide and painted samples. In addition you'll find the stat card for the vehicle and a small decal sheet. As every of the newer kits, it comes with damage markers, made from 3 mdf round bases and wads of cotton.

The three sprues are properly done. Good details and low amount of mould lines. Just beware to not to cut the pieces to close from the sprue, as that might damage the pieces themself. The two main sprues are identical from the regular Sd.Kfz 251/1 with this kit covering a small additional sprue, covering the assault bridge ramps, loader and Panzerbüchse 41 AT.

Assembly is quickly done. As this is a kit, that is meant for gaming and not a model kit. The lower chassis is made from the tracks and front axle.

Ontop of that comes the lower hull, and here we replace the regular benches with shortened ones with ammunition for the Panzerbüchse. These three parts are assembled and create the whole hull. It does fit quite well, just make sure to be gentle with the amount of glue, as this might damage the surface of the pieces.

Almost done, just choosing the front gun. We can either go for the MG42 or an AT Panzerbüchse 41 from the additional sprue.

The assault bridge ramps is added with two support beams, as is the loader along with a few optional bits from the sprue. As we have a Pionierwagen, I think a towing cable would be a good fit. And then the side panels over the tracks and we're done.

As mentioned above, the 251/7 was available as a mixed plastic and resin kit before, but as an Ausf. C. To give you an idea of the differences, I have added the pictures below. You see the main difference between C and D is the shape of the back and slightly different bonnet.

And the assembled 251/7 Ausf. D with Panzerbüchse and loader.

Conclusion
The fact that they add to the plastic base kit with further bits and smaller upgrade sprues is a great decision. You can go for plastic with the more often produced variants and resin or pewter for the less common variants. In this case I was a bit surprised for the update, as the resin kit was well done, but I take a full plastic kit everyday over a hybrid kit.

At 20 GBP it comes out at the same price as the Rubicon kit (you have to buy the 15 GBP base kit and add pieces from the 10 GBP accessoires kit for two vehicles). In direct comparison, the Warlord kit is more of a wargamer model, the Rubicon more for model builders. But Warlord is easier to acquire as they have the broader trade network and more reliable stock.

Within Bolt Action the Pionierwagen is simply a regular 251/1 armed with a Panzerbüchse / Antitank gun, with no special rules for the pionier purpose.

Bolt Action is a brand of Warlord Games.

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer.