There can’t be many military model makers who haven’t at some time or other made this classic kit – The Tamiya German Hanomag Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C Rivetted Version.
First released in 1973, it comes with a combat crew of 5. I first made this kit around 1984 so how does it feel to make it again 40 years later?
The kit comes with 4 sprues of which one contains the figures. The wheels are meant to rotate and the back doors open. However, I found the wheel axels were too loose and kept falling out so I had to glue them. The doors did work ok but I still decided to stick them in the closed position. The instructions are clear and I didn’t have any issues understanding what glued to what and how.
I painted the cockpit before the final fitting and don’t think it looks too bad. Of course, comparing it to newer models with all their details it looks a bit basic now. But it was also easy and fun to put together.
The instructions are clear and I didn’t have any issues understanding what glued to what and how. It was still annoying trying to get the rubber tracks to fit and my track did bend outwards a little with the pressure of them.
Painting and light weathering were also fun. I hand-painted everything (I have yet to try my hand at spray painting).
Overall I think this was as much fun to make as it was 40 years ago and I am sure I did a better job the second time around. My models are never going to win any competitions but that is not my purpose when making them.
The kit can easily be found for under $20 and if you are just getting back into model-making like me it’s a good one to start with.
