Bolt Action Sd.Kfz 251/10 Ausf. D (37mm Pak) Half Track

And while we're at it, covering various Bolt Action vehicles and their alterations, let us take a look at the Sd.Kfz. 251/10 Ausf. D with the 37mm PaK.

Just like the Sd.Kfz 250s we have covered over the time on here, the Sd.Kfz. 251/10 uses the base sprue of the Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. D and with the addition of a compact sprue with a 37mm PaK, is modified into the 251/10 mittlerer Kanonenpanzerwagen mit 3,7-cm-PaK 36 Ausf. D.

The Sd.Kfz. (Sonderkraftfahrzeug) 251 was a half-track armoured personnel carrier of the German army and an armoured variant of the earlier Sd.Kfz. 11. It was developed to transport the Panzergrenadiere into combat (to accompany tanks and provide infantry support) and more than 15,000 units saw combat between 1939 and 1945. Ausführung A to D marked the four main models, which were further modified into at least 22 variants, to cover various purposes from recon and communications vehicles, to weapon carriers and even assault engineer vehicle (251/7 Pionierwagen).

And as it was the case with many of the Warlord Games plastic kits, this one replaces a hybrid set and now offers a full plastic kit. The RRP is 21 GBP / 25 EUR for the single kit, but in case you already have regular Hanomags / Sd.Kfz. 251/1 and would like upgrade them, you can buy the sprue individually as well.

The contents of the boxed set are 3 sprues, two main sprues for the Sd.Kfz. 251/1 with the additional parts (a gunner, the ammo racks and the gun incl. shield) for the /10 variant.

The sprues have been around for some time and were among the first plastic vehicle kits not coming from the Warlord / Italeri cooperation, but proper wargaming and not just re-scaled model kits. Casting is well done, minor mould lines and they used the space within the sprues for additional parts like spare parts, a seated crew and some stowage like jerry cans.

Assembly is pretty easy; you have a under carriage where the track sections and front axle is added to.

You can slightly turn in the wheels in the front, if you want to. Other than that, this is quite stable and provides the base for the next steps.

In this step the first alteration to the regular Sd.Kfz. 251 is done, as we do not add the long seats in the back but the half-seat sections with the additional ammo racks to the interior.

The Hanomag itself is closed with the upper part of the armour and you're pretty much done, just to add the gunner.

This is one of the earlier kits, with "just" one gunner sculpt, but the uniform could be painted in various ways to accommodate regular Feldgrau, to tan or a white smock. The 3,7 cm PaK comes with a large shield and can be turned on the pin.

Last but not least the exterior details, like the storage compartments, lights and back MG.

And a comparison with the Sd. Kfz 251/1 Ausf. A, the just build Sd.Kfz. 251/10 Ausf. D and the 251/16 Flammpanzerwagen. All of them are Warlord Games plastic kits.

Of course, no review without the different angle shots of the final kit.

Conclusion

It is really nice to see what Warlord Games has done with the Sd.Kfz. 251 and 250 range. Using the base frames and adding small sprues for the alterations is a great way to make the most out of the plastics. And while Bolt Action is platoon-sized, you won't need that many tanks but transports and tows are always an option and with the kits, you could easily go for a platoon bundle with 3 (either mixed or use the regular one and get the individual sprues) to have mobilized infantry.

The Sd.Kfz. 251 is a proper kit, quick build, no problems with the fit and you can add spare parts from the sprue or different infantry kits (like backpacks or helmets) to individualize it. In some cases, you can easily magnetize the weapons to be more flexible.

The prices are reasonable and the kits are usually on stock, so no long wait for their delivery.

Beyond its use with the German forces, the Sd.Kfz. 251 was in service with the Romanian forces from August 1943 onwards.

Bolt Action is a brand of Warlord Games.

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer.