In Box Review of Tamiya 1/35th Scale
German Sd.Kfz. 250/3 “Greif”
General Rommel’s Half-track
Kit no. MM-213A
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1979
Our of production
I paid $7.98 for my kit, years ago, at a local hobby shop that went out of business, after it was discounted from $9.92.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1979
Our of production
I paid $7.98 for my kit, years ago, at a local hobby shop that went out of business, after it was discounted from $9.92.
HISTORY:
T he Sd.Kfz. 250 (German: Sonderkraftfahrzeug 250; 'special motor vehicle') was a light armoured half-track, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251, and built by the DEMAG firm, for use by Nazi Germany in World War II. Most variants were open-topped and had a single access door in the rear.The Sd. Kfz 250 was adopted in 1939 to supplement the standard half-track. Production delays meant that the first vehicle did not appear until mid-1941.[1]
In 1939, the Inspectorate for Motorised Troops (AHA/In 6) decided that it would be useful for armoured half-tracks to accompany tanks in the attack. These could meet the requirements for smaller vehicles to be used in the headquarters, artillery observer, radio, and reconnaissance roles. Demag, the designer of the smallest half-track in service, the Sd.Kfz. 10, was selected to develop the "light armoured troop carrier" (leichter gepanzerter Mannschaftstransportwagen) or Sd.Kfz. 250.
To this end, the Sd.Kfz. 10 hull was shortened by one road wheel station, and an armoured hull (Panzerwanne) constructed around the truncated running gear.While intended as a derivative of a standard inventory item, eventually virtually every component was redesigned and specific to the Sd.Kfz. 250.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Half-track armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1941–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Romania
Wars: World War II
Designer: Demag
Designed: 1939–1940
Manufacturer: Demag, Adlerwerke, Büssing-NAG, MWC
Unit cost: 20,420 Reichsmarks
Produced: 1941–1945
No. built: Approx. 6,628
Specifications (Sd.Kfz. 250/1 Ausf. A)
Mass Load: 5,800 kg (12,800 lb)
Length: 4.56 m (15 ft 0 in)
Width : 1.945 m (6 ft 5 in)
Height: 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Crew: 2 + 4
Armour: 5.5–14.5 mm (0.22–0.57 in)
Main armament: 1 or 2 x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 34 machine guns
Engine: Maybach HL42 TRKM 6-cylinder, water-cooled petrol of 100 PS (99 hp, 74 kW)
Power/weight: 17.2 hp/ton
Transmission: 7 + 3 speed Maybach VG 102128 H
Suspension: Overlapping torsion bar (track) Leaf spring (wheels)
Ground clearance: 28.5 cm (10 in)
Fuel capacity: 140 L (37 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 300–320 km (190–200 mi), Cross Country: 180–200 km (110–120 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 76 km/h (47 mph)
T he Sd.Kfz. 250 (German: Sonderkraftfahrzeug 250; 'special motor vehicle') was a light armoured half-track, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251, and built by the DEMAG firm, for use by Nazi Germany in World War II. Most variants were open-topped and had a single access door in the rear.The Sd. Kfz 250 was adopted in 1939 to supplement the standard half-track. Production delays meant that the first vehicle did not appear until mid-1941.[1]
In 1939, the Inspectorate for Motorised Troops (AHA/In 6) decided that it would be useful for armoured half-tracks to accompany tanks in the attack. These could meet the requirements for smaller vehicles to be used in the headquarters, artillery observer, radio, and reconnaissance roles. Demag, the designer of the smallest half-track in service, the Sd.Kfz. 10, was selected to develop the "light armoured troop carrier" (leichter gepanzerter Mannschaftstransportwagen) or Sd.Kfz. 250.
To this end, the Sd.Kfz. 10 hull was shortened by one road wheel station, and an armoured hull (Panzerwanne) constructed around the truncated running gear.While intended as a derivative of a standard inventory item, eventually virtually every component was redesigned and specific to the Sd.Kfz. 250.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Half-track armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1941–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Romania
Wars: World War II
Designer: Demag
Designed: 1939–1940
Manufacturer: Demag, Adlerwerke, Büssing-NAG, MWC
Unit cost: 20,420 Reichsmarks
Produced: 1941–1945
No. built: Approx. 6,628
Specifications (Sd.Kfz. 250/1 Ausf. A)
Mass Load: 5,800 kg (12,800 lb)
Length: 4.56 m (15 ft 0 in)
Width : 1.945 m (6 ft 5 in)
Height: 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Crew: 2 + 4
Armour: 5.5–14.5 mm (0.22–0.57 in)
Main armament: 1 or 2 x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 34 machine guns
Engine: Maybach HL42 TRKM 6-cylinder, water-cooled petrol of 100 PS (99 hp, 74 kW)
Power/weight: 17.2 hp/ton
Transmission: 7 + 3 speed Maybach VG 102128 H
Suspension: Overlapping torsion bar (track) Leaf spring (wheels)
Ground clearance: 28.5 cm (10 in)
Fuel capacity: 140 L (37 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 300–320 km (190–200 mi), Cross Country: 180–200 km (110–120 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 76 km/h (47 mph)
THE KIT:
Tamiya is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a Sd.Kfz. 250/3, posed against one of Tamiya’s SIGNATURE all-white backgrounds, that they use for the majority of their box arts.
The half-track is overall earth-yellow, with a red GRIEF outlined in white, followed by a skeletal white German cross. It carries license no. WH-937836 in black, on a white plate on the front and 2 plates on the rear.
General Erwin Rommel is seen aboard, with 3 crewmen. He wears a field-grey uniform, an officer’s hat with goggles strung around it.
Around the cover art it says: 1/35 military miniature series. Modelling skills helpful if under 10 years of age. With figures of General Rommel and eleven soldiers. Ready to assemble precision kit. Precision detailing that brings modelings to life. Paint and cement not included.
One side panel of the box shows a 3 view of Rommel’s Greif. However, it differs from the box art. The Grief mark is preceded by a black and white German cross. Cross is again on the rear to the right. This is followed by a one paragraph history of the vehicle in English and a color illustration of Rommel. He is standing with his hands in the pockets of a field-grey overcoat. Molded and packaged in the USA. Selected components made in Japan. Paint and cement not included.
This side-panel got torn along one edge in the years that I’ve had it.
Model Rectifier Corps' address in Edison, New Jersey is supplied.
Tamiya is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a Sd.Kfz. 250/3, posed against one of Tamiya’s SIGNATURE all-white backgrounds, that they use for the majority of their box arts.
The half-track is overall earth-yellow, with a red GRIEF outlined in white, followed by a skeletal white German cross. It carries license no. WH-937836 in black, on a white plate on the front and 2 plates on the rear.
General Erwin Rommel is seen aboard, with 3 crewmen. He wears a field-grey uniform, an officer’s hat with goggles strung around it.
Around the cover art it says: 1/35 military miniature series. Modelling skills helpful if under 10 years of age. With figures of General Rommel and eleven soldiers. Ready to assemble precision kit. Precision detailing that brings modelings to life. Paint and cement not included.
One side panel of the box shows a 3 view of Rommel’s Greif. However, it differs from the box art. The Grief mark is preceded by a black and white German cross. Cross is again on the rear to the right. This is followed by a one paragraph history of the vehicle in English and a color illustration of Rommel. He is standing with his hands in the pockets of a field-grey overcoat. Molded and packaged in the USA. Selected components made in Japan. Paint and cement not included.
This side-panel got torn along one edge in the years that I’ve had it.
Model Rectifier Corps' address in Edison, New Jersey is supplied.
The other side panel of the box shows a side and top view of the half-track in overall Panzer-grey, with a skeletal white German cross on its sides, a canvas pouch slung over its side and jerry cans on the rear. The top view shows the engine lid off and the engine in view.
A list of features of the kit is given as: This is a plastic model of the Sd.Kfz. 250/1 as General Rommel’s favorite vehicle. Scale 1/35. The unique style of the vehicle, comprising the complicated polygonal body and large frame antenna is faithfully reproduced. The vehicle’s interior is highly detailed down to the wireless apparatus and driver’s compartment. Engine details are realistically reproduced. Each track is of interlinked type and looks very heavy. With figures representing General Rommel and 3 soldiers. The kit contains decals for Rommel’s favorites Grief and Adler and for the North African and European fronts.
A list of features of the kit is given as: This is a plastic model of the Sd.Kfz. 250/1 as General Rommel’s favorite vehicle. Scale 1/35. The unique style of the vehicle, comprising the complicated polygonal body and large frame antenna is faithfully reproduced. The vehicle’s interior is highly detailed down to the wireless apparatus and driver’s compartment. Engine details are realistically reproduced. Each track is of interlinked type and looks very heavy. With figures representing General Rommel and 3 soldiers. The kit contains decals for Rommel’s favorites Grief and Adler and for the North African and European fronts.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 6 tan parts trees, loose tan hull tub and roof parts and decal sheet in 4 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of 2 sheets, that accordion fold out into 12 pages in 7 ½” x 10 ½ page format.
Page 1 has a black and white illustration on it of 8 German Afrika Korps figures.
Page 2 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a 4 view of the Sd.Kfz. 250/3 marked as ADLER. It is in a camouflage wave pattern of two shades of grey. With a black and white German cross and Adler on its sides. License no. WH—937836 on its front and both sides of the rear.
A 3-view shows a vehicle of the 3rd Company in Mechanized Artillery Battalion, 21sr Div., Afrika Korps. It is overall earth-yellow with black and white German cross on the sides and rear. License no. WH-983309 on the front and each side of the rear.
Page 3 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the Sd.Kfz. 250/3 in English and German.
Page 4 through to page 10 gives a grand total of 19 assembly steps.
The 19th step includes assembly instructions for the figures.
Page 11 is a painting and marking guide. That shows a3-view of a Sd.Kfz. 250/3 in overall Panzer-grey, with a white skeletal German cross on the front, sides and rear. A white letter K and tactical mark for a headquarters division, over license no. WH-312945, license no, repeated twice on the rear. Vehicle as it looked on the Eastern Front.
A 2-view shows where to place your choice of one of 4 license numbers, 7 divisional marks and 6 tactical marks.
Page 12 is a painting guide for the 8 infantry-men. However, these are shown as German Afrika Korps men, that are walking or running and all armed with either rifles or machine guns. Not the men shown in the vehicle on the box art. Odd!
Also, Rommel is not shown here. He is only on the side-panel (described above).
Trees are alphabetized.
Tan letter A tree holds: individual tracks, road wheels, drive sprockets, idler wheels, front tires, leaf spring etc. (88 parts)
The kit holds 6 tan parts trees, loose tan hull tub and roof parts and decal sheet in 4 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of 2 sheets, that accordion fold out into 12 pages in 7 ½” x 10 ½ page format.
Page 1 has a black and white illustration on it of 8 German Afrika Korps figures.
Page 2 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a 4 view of the Sd.Kfz. 250/3 marked as ADLER. It is in a camouflage wave pattern of two shades of grey. With a black and white German cross and Adler on its sides. License no. WH—937836 on its front and both sides of the rear.
A 3-view shows a vehicle of the 3rd Company in Mechanized Artillery Battalion, 21sr Div., Afrika Korps. It is overall earth-yellow with black and white German cross on the sides and rear. License no. WH-983309 on the front and each side of the rear.
Page 3 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the Sd.Kfz. 250/3 in English and German.
Page 4 through to page 10 gives a grand total of 19 assembly steps.
The 19th step includes assembly instructions for the figures.
Page 11 is a painting and marking guide. That shows a3-view of a Sd.Kfz. 250/3 in overall Panzer-grey, with a white skeletal German cross on the front, sides and rear. A white letter K and tactical mark for a headquarters division, over license no. WH-312945, license no, repeated twice on the rear. Vehicle as it looked on the Eastern Front.
A 2-view shows where to place your choice of one of 4 license numbers, 7 divisional marks and 6 tactical marks.
Page 12 is a painting guide for the 8 infantry-men. However, these are shown as German Afrika Korps men, that are walking or running and all armed with either rifles or machine guns. Not the men shown in the vehicle on the box art. Odd!
Also, Rommel is not shown here. He is only on the side-panel (described above).
Trees are alphabetized.
Tan letter A tree holds: individual tracks, road wheels, drive sprockets, idler wheels, front tires, leaf spring etc. (88 parts)
Tan letter B tree holds: engine parts, steering wheel, fenders, cockpit floor, machine guns, rifles, tools, dash etc. (80 parts)
Tan letter C tree holds: two canvas bags, 4 jerry cans in rack, banister antenna, gun shield, storage boxes, seat, radio etc. (39 parts)
Tan letter Z tree holds: Rommel and 3 figures, Rommel is full bodied with separate arms and back of his overcoat. Two crewmen figures are also full bodied with separate arms. The 4th figure has a separate torso, lower body and arms. Also on the tree is 2 cloth field caps with bills, 3 spades in carrying cases, 3 bayonets in scabbards, 4 steel helmets, 3 dispatch pouches, 3 canteens, pair of goggles, 3 gas mask canisters and 2 pairs of binoculars (41 parts)
A tan tree that is not alphabetized holds: 4 Mauser 98k carbines, 2 MP-40 submachine guns, a heavy machine gun and it’s bipod, 3 bayonets in scabbards, a pair of binoculars, ammo pouches, other pouches, parts of 4 figures (divided into separate torsos, lower bodies and arms) (47 parts)
A second tan tree that also is not alphabetized holds: four more figures. Two are kneeling and two are running. They are divided into separate torsos, lower bodies and arms. Also on the tree are 8 steel helmets, 8 gas mask canisters, 8 canteens, 4 spades in carrying cases, 4 cloth field caps with bills (48 parts)
The final tan parts are the lone hull tub and top.
The first decal sheet has the vehicle markings and the second has decals for the helmets. There are two copies of Tamiya’s kit catalog included to complete the kit’s contents.
The detail is very good.
Recommended.
Recommended.