Sd.Kfz. 222

[bfrd]

Overview

Sonderkraftfahrzeug

Sonderkraftfahrzeug is otherwise known as Sd.Kfz. is simply a special purpose vehicle. This is a very nebulous designation that included practically everything Germany used on the ground.

• Sd.Kfz. 1 to 99: Unarmoured half-tracked vehicles
• Sd.Kfz. 100 to 199: Tanks and tank variants, such as tank destroyers and self-propelled artillery
• Sd.Kfz. 200 to 299: Reconnaissance vehicles, armoured cars, armored personnel carriers, and command tanks
• Sd.Kfz. 300 and above: Mine-clearing and demolition charge laying vehicles

A more complete list can be found here.


Leichter Panzerspähwagen

These are the Light-Armoured Reconnaissance vehicles. They were produced by Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1944.

The Sd.Kfz. 222 is the second in a series of light reconnaissance vehicles designed to meet operational requirements including reliability, an ability to run on a variety of grades of fuel, simple construction and good off-road performance, The first in the series was the Sd.Kfz. 221. This type proved too small and too lightly armed, so in 1936-37 a heavier version was planned, using one of two standard chassis for four-wheel armoured cars. One of these used a front-mounted engine, the other rear-mounted. The latter was used in the Sd.Kfz. 222, which became the standard light armoured car in German army service until the defeat of Nazi Germany.[1]

The vehicles were developed by Eisenwerk Weserhütte of Bad Oeynhausen by using the chassis of the type Horch 108 standard heavy off-road car with an angled armoured body and turret.

Chassis were built by Horch (Auto Union) in Zwickau and assembled by F. Schichau of Elbing and Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen in Hanover-Linden.

The rear-mounted petrol engine was originally a 3.5 Litre Horch V8 with 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) (Ausf. A chassis); from 1942, this was replaced by a 3.8 Litre with 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) (Ausf. B chassis), giving it a road speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). It had a maximum range of 300 km (186 mi).

Used by the reconnaissance battalions (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) of the Panzer divisions, the type performed well enough in countries with good road networks, like those in Western Europe. However, on the Eastern Front and North Africa, this class of vehicle was hampered by its relatively poor off-road performance.

The Sd.Kfz. 222 was fitted with heavier armament and larger turret than the Sd.Kfz. 221 but it was still comparatively cramped and lacked top protection other than a wire screen designed to allow grenades to roll off, but this made using the main armament problematic. Co-axially mounted with the machine gun both weapons were pintle-mounted, and fitted with an elevation and traverse mechanism and floor-mounted firing mechanisms. The turret was rotated by the traversing weapons rather than the weapons being fixed to a traversing turret. There was thus no bearing-ring and no turret basket, only a fighting compartment largely obstructed by the breaches of the weapons.

When the limitations of the vehicle were highlighted during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 the Sd.Kfz. 222 was gradually replaced in the reconnaissance role by the Sd.Kfz. 250 half-track, but the turret and armament of the Sd Kdz 222 was sometimes retained, despite its shortcomings (the Sd.Kfz. 250/9 variant was a Sd.Kfz. 250 fitted with a top plate surmounted by the same turret used for the Sd.Kfz 222 with the same pintle-mounted guns refitted to the half-track)[1] and captured Sd.Kfz 222s were examined by Soviet designers before they created the similar BA-64 light armoured car.

Front and sides were made of 8 mm (0.3 in) RHA; thinner 5 mm (0.2 in) plates protected the top, rear, and bottom. Cast vision ports later replaced ports cut into the armour. The open-topped turret was fitted with wire mesh anti-grenade screens. Beginning in 1939, the front armour was increased to 14.5 mm (0.6 in). In 1942, the Ausf. B chassis was introduced; this had 30 mm of frontal armour, as well as a more powerful engine.

I will be building the 222 variant.

This version of the vehicle was armed with a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon and a 7.92 mm MG 13 machine gun. The crew was increased to three by the addition of a gunner, relieving the commander of that task. In 1938, the MG 13 was replaced by a Maschinengewehr 34, in 1942 the KwK 30 was replaced by the faster firing KwK 38 of the same calibre. Production ran from 1937 to late 1943, with at least 990 vehicles being produced for the army. Its full name was Leichter Panzerspähwagen (2 cm).

Images

Kit

Scheme

I have chosen the paint scheme from North Africa in March of 1941



To help with the color selection I used our very own Modeller Toolkit to do the conversions to Vallejo Model Air.

[Donkeywalloper]

Couch pulled up and raring to go.
DW

[aur0ra145]

Not gonna lie, this looks like it'd be a blast to drive around.

[digger303]

Another super hot uncomfortable vehicle metal box to be operating in a desert. I pity the poor beggars that did that.
Should be a nice kit though and not take too much time to throw together.

[ForbesHutton]

Another super hot uncomfortable vehicle metal box to be operating in a desert. I pity the poor beggars that did that.
Should be a nice kit though and not take too much time to throw together.

At least they had a place to hide during a sandstorm.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I am pretty sure he swore in German at the start of the thread

[bfrd]

Scheme

I have chosen the paint scheme from North Africa in March of 1941



To help with the color selection I used our very own Modeller Toolkit to do the conversions to Vallejo Model Air.



**NOTE: I thought the XF-63 was just a little too dark initially, so I added in some lighter gray to adjust the tone.

[Tomcat64]

I have this one in my stash as well so will be watching with interest

[Kevthemodeller]

This kit has escaped me in that for some reason I've never built it
my chair is pulled up

[digger303]

I have this one in my stash as well so will be watching with interest

I'v got the Hobbyboss version so plenty of interest from me too. I wonder how Tamiya deal with the anti grenade screens.

[bfrd]

I have this one in my stash as well so will be watching with interest

I'v got the Hobbyboss version so plenty of interest from me too. I wonder how Tamiya deal with the anti grenade screens.

I think Plasmo has a video for the Hobby Boss version. I may or may not have watched it for inspiration.

[bfrd]

For the first time in quite a while, I have put some TET to plastic.



Also, got started on some of the accessories.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Hooraay!!!!
Giver, wheel wheel!!!

[digger303]

Hooraay!!!!
Giver, wheel wheel!!!

wow ? .... meds trolley quick .....

It is great to have the mojo in ya corner.

[Stokesy44]

Those extras are looking nice. You cant go wrong with Tamiya's fuel drums.

[Tomcat64]

Great to see you back at the bench again Matthew - and that's a really tidy start

[Kevthemodeller]

And he's off, great start Matt

[Quax]

great start Matt, looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

Paul

[bfrd]

Ran into my first problem. I used CA glue to attach the aluminum barrel and it went on crooked. I snapped it off in my attempt to straighten. I will probably pin it back in place; pictures to come.

[digger303]

Ran into my first problem. I used CA glue to attach the aluminum barrel and it went on crooked. I snapped it off in my attempt to straighten. I will probably pin it back in place; pictures to come.

Ohhh sounds nasty. CA can solve a myriad of problems as well as causing them. I'm sure you will sort it.

[bfrd]

The first thing I did was to drill out the barrel. Ok, second, I said a few choice words first.



Then I drilled an off center hole in the corresponding part.



So I had no choice but to cut off the base and re centered a hole.



I measured the part I cut off and selected an appropriate length of sprue. I chucked it in my proxon and used a sanding stick to get it down to the right diameter.



I then drilled out the cylinder making sure the hole would be deeper than what I needed. It would be nearly impossible to cut the length of sprue and then drill.



I used some CA glue to secure a piece of wire into the barrel. I then placed the small cylinder onto the wire and barrel. I then used some revell contacta to glue the cylinder in place.



Once the contacta is completely cured, the barrel and wire should slip out. I will use CA glue to secure permanently.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Well crooked or not, that thing looks super cool
Would not want to be on the business end of it

Good recovery

[BigWall]

Very nice save!

Pew! Pew! Pew!

[Stokesy44]

Looks good to me. I grade that a solid Pass!

[digger303]

Excellent save and fix well done 10/10. The replacement barrel looks great too.

[bfrd]

Got a little more done last night.

Mounted the gun to the turret. Drilling out the small machine gun barrel was loads of fun.


There is a small “U” joint on the gun base that catches on a plastic tab to rotate the top bit of armor around. In my test fitting it kept slipping out. So, I clipped the tab off and replaced it with a bit of wire. I used a triangular file to inset the wire. Once the CA glue completely cures I will see if it works.



I also attached some of the hatches to the top of the vehicle. I am trying to figure out how best to proceed with paint.



I think I can get the gun and turret bits in after it is finished. That should make painting much easier.

[DBMiller]

For the first time in quite a while, I have put some TET to plastic.
...

It's always a great feeling to start a new project after a long dry spell!

[BigWall]

It looks like it's fighting you a little but it's coming along nicely!

[Tomcat64]

Great save on the gun, that's all coming together well after the initial hiccup.

Hope you've avoided the worst of the weather over there.

[bfrd]

Most of the construction is finished. I just have a few parts that I have held out to ease painting. The turret is just dry fit.

[digger303]

I think you have this beat now, it's looking like it should.
I'm working on something atm can you help me out and measure the diameter of the machine gun please.

[Donkeywalloper]

Nice work chap and overcoming the Barrel problems is a master stroke.
Good job chap.
DW

[bfrd]

I think you have this beat now, it's looking like it should.
I'm working on something atm can you help me out and measure the diameter of the machine gun please.

You mean this one, right?

[digger303]

I think you have this beat now, it's looking like it should.
I'm working on something atm can you help me out and measure the diameter of the machine gun please.

You mean this one, right?

yep thats the sucker

[Tomcat64]

That's come together really well after your earlier mishap - nice work.

[bfrd]

I think you have this beat now, it's looking like it should.
I'm working on something atm can you help me out and measure the diameter of the machine gun please.

You mean this one, right?

yep thats the sucker

The barrel is right at 1mm, the flash hider flares out to about 1.25 mm.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I was thinking my Baja Bug is going to beat everyone in the desert race, but then I see all the weaponry and think it might get toasted

[bfrd]

I was thinking my Baja Bug is going to beat everyone in the desert race, but then I see all the weaponry and think it might get toasted

You could add armor!

[digger303]

You mean this one, right?

yep thats the sucker

The barrel is right at 1mm, the flash hider flares out to about 1.25 mm.

Thanks mate

[Kevthemodeller]

Great save there Matt, it's all looking good

[Stokesy44]

I was thinking my Baja Bug is going to beat everyone in the desert race, but then I see all the weaponry and think it might get toasted

When hopes and dreams meet the crushing weight of reality. Then there's the old armor coda - I have a tank, your argument is, therefore, irrelevant.

Mind you, its such an awesomely funky vehicle you just might manage it!

[Stokesy44]

Turret detail and the guns look superb. Great looking build

[bfrd]

I have the 222 primed in Stynylrez black. This was my first time using the airbrush in quite a while. Luckily this primer is extremely forgiving. I also broke out the Paasche Talon using a #3 (.66).



There are a couple of mounting points for the spare tire and shovel which will get painted separately then added.

[digger303]

I have the 222 primed in Stynylrez black. This was my first time using the airbrush in quite a while. Luckily this primer is extremely forgiving. I also broke out the Paasche Talon using a #3 (.66).



There are a couple of mounting points for the spare tire and shovel which will get painted separately then added.

[bfrd]

Wow, it has been a little while since I posted. I decided to add some more figures to my diorama. I picked up the following kit.



I am going to use the following color conversions...



So far I have the figures built up and used Vallejo Plastic Putty to fill in some of the seams.

[digger303]

Those figures don't look half bad,4 fingers and thumb and ears. I thought these were a older kit, but they must have been either improved or retooled. They will paint up a treat.

[bfrd]

Those figures don't look half bad,4 fingers and thumb and ears. I thought these were a older kit, but they must have been either improved or retooled. They will paint up a treat.

Your confidence in my figure painting skills at 1:35 is sadly misplaced, but I will try my best.

[Donkeywalloper]

Superb work so far and loving the A/B.
DW

[RangerNeil]

I was thinking it would look good parked in a French village square with figures of Lt Gruber showing Rene Artois and Captain Bertorelli his little tank.
Possibly with Yvette and Maria on a balcony with the egg whisk and flying helmet!!

[Stokesy44]

I was thinking it would look good parked in a French village square with figures of Lt Gruber showing Rene Artois and Captain Bertorelli his little tank.
Possibly with Yvette and Maria on a balcony with the egg whisk and flying helmet!!