Sd. Kfz. 251 SandStalker 1-35 Scratch

[Bryan Krueger]

This is a scratch build of the 251 SandStalker. It’s an original model based on Kow’s initial SandStalker designs. I’ve been wanting to build this concept for the past eight years but never got around it until now.

The base kit is one of Dragon’s Sd. Kfz. 251 ausf C kits. I picked it up for $5 at a local swap meet. The construction style is similar to Kow’s original technique he used on the 222 and 232 SandStalkers. I used strips of styrene to define the basic hull shape and filled the gaps with putty. Kow used a lot of two part automotive putty back in the day but I opted for epoxy putty. The end result is the same though.








One “disaster” I had during construction was using aluminum foil to bulk out the underside. When I wet sanded the hull, water became trapped in the foil. It was constantly weeping out through small cracks so I had to perform some major surgery on the nose to dig out the foil. It only took a couple of hours to correct so I guess it’s not the end of the world.

[Bryan Krueger]

After the major construction was complete, the rest was detail work. I had an old set of Eduard PE for an Ausf D. It was close enough for what I was doing. So detail bits are lest off to make painting easier.

Some of the bits match the original 232M SandStalker but I also substituted close enough in some cases.

[Steve Hutchinson]

Super scratchery Bryan

I couldn't visualise such a serious transformation.

Well done and nice work on the foil removal too

Regards

Steve H

[Philipp Gross]

Kinda looks like an escort vehicle to Jabba's sail barge

Brilliant work as usual, I'm amazed how well the curvature of the hover skirts turned out

Philipp

[Adam Durrant]

I love doing the forensic archeology on these builds to try and work out where all the parts come from!

- Panzer III/IV road wheels for the “thrusters”??

[Bryan Krueger]

Thanks guys, appreciate it. Considering how big of a mess it started off as, yeah, the skirts turned out pretty well.

Adam - There are so many different kits on here... mostly 1/35 armor with some 1/76, 1/48, but sprinkled in. I think those are 1/35 PzIII wheels with 1/48 T-34 idler inserts.