TAKOM

Sd.Kfz. 250/1

The subject of this review from prolific kit manufacturer TAKOM is the light armored half-track Sd.Kfz. 250/1, as used by German forces in World War II.

The Sd Kfz 250 series of light half-tracks were designed and manufactured by the firm DEMAG, (with several other firms including Bussing Nag also building the vehicle), introduced onto the field in 1941, with manufacture of this small half-track continuing until 1945 with roughly 6,700 built. This vehicle was largely based on DEMAG’s existing Sd Kfz 10 half-track, which was then the smallest German half-track. One set of the inter-leaved roadwheels were removed from the Sd Kfz 10 design to make an already small vehicle into a new smaller vehicle.

The base design of the Sd. Kfz. 250 served as the starting point for quite a few interesting variants which included basic armored personnel carriers (which is the variant this kit depicts), radio and command vehicles, fire support vehicles, mortar carriers and artillery observation vehicles.

 The majority of the Sd Kfz 250 variants built were the reconnaissance/ troop carrier variants, the Sd Kfz 250/1, which is the subject of this kit.

What’s in the box?

The kit is packaged in the standard tray / lid box, with the kit components bagged in cello bags. No parts appear to be separated from the sprues, no damage to any kit parts is apparent. Initial inspection of the parts shows no issues with mold seams, ejector pin marks, or sprue attachment points. The parts detail looks to be uniformly good, and the parts are cleanly molded. 

Sprue A (x2) - track parts. The tracks are made to be workable, two parts per link, steel link and rubber pad.

Sprue B (x2) - front tires, road wheels, rifles, hull floor supports. Front wheels are to be built in “salami slice”style.

Detail view Sprue B, Kar98k rifles

Sprue C - misc. parts

Sprue D - engine, transmission parts

Sprue F - misc. hull parts

Sprue G - upper hull, fenders

Sprue G detail - upper hull

Sprue H - two of the three included fighting compartment tarp covers, misc. stowage

Sprue H detail - very nice draped look on that tarp!

Sprue J - more stowage, pioneer tools, and the third tarp.

Sprue K - the driver figure

Sprue M - misc. interior floor components, drivers compartment floor, fighting compartment floor, under floor bracing parts.

Sprue M - detail view

Sprue N - misc. interior parts, tools, MG-34, MP-38.

Sprue N - detail view, MG-34, MP-38

Fret of photoetched parts

Well printed decal sheet for several markings schemes. Instrument panel gauges and placards are included.

Sprue of clear parts

Half sheet sized instructions manual

Sample page of instructions, they appear to be straightforward and well drawn.

One of several paint and markings schemes provided, all are basic panzer gray.

Conclusions

Parts quality of this kit appears to be good, I see no issues with mold seams, ejector pin marks, or awkwardly placed / oversized sprue attachment points. The parts themselves are cleanly molded, with crisply done detail on them.

The kit includes an engine if you’d care to open the hatches over it, a driver figure, some fender stowage, and three different tarp options for the fighting / passenger compartment. The kit also includes a nice fret of photoetch, a small sprue of clear parts, and a good looking decal sheet that includes instrument panel gauges and info placards. The tracks are made up of two parts per link, and are designed to be workable. 

Building this little half-track  (honestly, this kit looks like a 1/48 or less scale kit at first glance…) should be an interesting process. I’m looking forward to posting the Full Build review soon!

Highly Recommended! 

Thanks to TAKOM for the review sample

Reviewed by Chuck Aleshire, AMPS Chicagoland

AMPS 2nd Vice President, Midwest Region 

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