Sd.Kfz. 231: Fall Weiß

[Raoul Kunz]

And here we go again!

Now that the 251 is done its time to approach the other group build topic: armoured cars!

And because I'm evidently insane I've chosen the most complicated inter-war design I could find: the Sd.Kfz. 231 8-wheel reconnaissance car... which is quite idiotic at this early phase in that it doesn't have a radio...
Given that the mechanized version of the Bewegungskrieg (war of movement) we know (ahistorically as a matter of fact, I recommend reading Mr. Citino on the subject) as "Blitzkrieg" pretty much relied on having a maximum density of radios available you'd kind of expect the very edge of any advance to have one available... not having a radio in a reconnaissance vehicle almost seems to defeat it's declared purpose...

But to compensate it has an insanely complex suspension, 8-wheel-steering, driver stations in both directions, a turret with both a 2cm KwK and a MG-13 (a somewhat distant predecessor of the MG-34, through the MG-30, which the only real difference being that it's heavier and magazine fed utilizing 25-round box-magazines; also used in the Panzer I Ausf.A) and a size and silhouette worthy of a medium tank...

Here's the box and what's in it (and plenty much there is, excepting a complete engine, this kit has a complete interior - which sadly is somewhat wasted on my build since it won't be all opened up, though a little might be visible eventually)=>





Also utilized in this build will be a Miniart base I had lying around for ages - it would almost be a shelf queen if it where a kit =>



As usual I started with the turret, if there is one it'S always the first thing I built... somehow it gives the rest purpose... I know, I know - I'm weird .
I used RB barrels for both guns. The MG-34 barrel is similar enough to the MG-13 that it doesn't matter at this scale =>







Did I mention that the suspension is insanely complicated?=>



Next up is the body with some, though not all, interior.



Best regards

Raoul G. Kunz

[Adam Durrant]

Are you going to articulate the steering Raoul? Seen some great shots of 8 wheeled recon vehicles with the wheels all pointing in crazy directions!

Those RB barrels are nice, just installed the same MG34 barrel on my 222 build.

[Vincent Power]

Nice one Raoul. I can see there is a lot of parts but what's your opinion on the fit so far?

Vincent

[Shawn Ramsey]

I quit, giving up, see you all later, I'm not worthy for the site anymore. You are all making me look bad getting all your builds done and I am not moving forward at all. Plus now I am back in school working on a Bachelor Degree So even less time for me.


Back to you Raoul- The barrels look great. I will be following for sure.

Shawn

[Raoul Kunz]

Are you going to articulate the steering Raoul? Seen some great shots of 8 wheeled recon vehicles with the wheels all pointing in crazy directions!

I don't know yet, depends on how the steering setup is manageable but given the overall fit it should be doable though no promises .

I can see there is a lot of parts but what's your opinion on the fit so far?

Errr...yeah...should have mentioned it... The fit is beautiful... it does have a ton of small parts but they all fit right in, no fiddling, no frustration!

I quit, giving up, see you all later, I'm not worthy for the site anymore. You are all making me look bad getting all your builds done and I am not moving forward at all.

Sorry! Please remember that currently I'm pretty much on "holiday", I'm only at university on two days because of recuperation and stuff, you on the other hand are earning a Bachelors Degree in addition to everything! If there's anyone unworthy it's me!


Best regards

Raoul G. Kunz

[Raoul Kunz]

Another sleepless night (bloody, pardon me, BLOODY Tramadol! ) means time to kill that I don't waste doing useless stuff like, oh I don't know, sleeping all night - who needs that?! We'll sleep when we're dead!...

I built some of the interior, just to see how the fit is, and I can safely report that it's great, if ever so slightly too small for my ham-handedness =>


Now here's two pics of the upper hull and I won't bother you with the build details because it's... fiddly. Instead I will attach on pic of the instructions which should say more than a thousand typed words =>




And finally here's the current state of the build (not glued or anything) =>


Another couple of days without sleep and I should be done with the whole dio!

Yeah, I know, self-pity isn't pretty...hey that rhymes... roughly... I think my sleep deprivation shows


Best regards

Raoul G. Kunz

[Steve Hutchinson]

Take the tramadol, Raoul

Sleep good, building all night BAD

Get the Pz IV D out, that will send you to sleep

Steve H

[Vlad Seabrook-Smith]

Hubba Hubba Raoul!!!!

Keep taking the druuuugss maaaaann!!!!!!!!!!!

cos if that's your output

I do love the 8 leggers, this looks a peach too, are we to see another feline?

[Adam Durrant]

For pretty much an OOB build the kit has fantastic detail. Following this one with interest as have a soft spot for wheeled armoured vehicles.

Sleep well!!

[Rob Matthews]

Hubba Hubba Raoul!!!!

Keep taking the druuuugss maaaaann!!!!!!!!!!!

cos if that's your output

I do love the 8 leggers, this looks a peach too, are we to see another feline?

I think Dr Seabrook- Smith has rather stolen my lines.

Tramadol should be sedating Raoul I'm missing that bit.

I think you are building this fast to increase Shawn's psychic pain

Rob