Panzer Selbstfahrlafette conversion from Sdkfz 251 and Pak40

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

Here’s the building process of my next ‘oddling’.

I saw this picture:



I didn’t know what it was. Had never seen it before.
I asked the guys on this site.
Art17847 helpt me out. Told me all about it.
Here’s the info:

—————
The Panzer-Selbstfahrlafette II, or in full, 7.5 cm Kanone L/41 auf Zugkraftwagen 5t (HKP 902), was a half-track German tank destroyer used during World War II. Only two prototypes were built and sent to North Africa for troop trials. Neither survived the experience

Development began in 1936 when Büssing-NAG was given a contract to develop an advanced half-track chassis with a rear-mounted engine specifically designed for use as a tank destroyer. Four prototypes of the HKP 902 chassis, No. 9009-2012, were built, two of which had Rheinmetall-Borsig's 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in) L/40.8 gun mounted in an open-topped, low-profile turret.

The gun could depress 8° and elevate 20°. It fired a 6.8 kg (15 lb) K.Gr. rot Pz. (APCBC) shell with a muzzle velocity of 685 m/s (2,250 ft/s) and a 5.85 kg (12.9 lb) Sprenggranate (HE) shell at 485 m/s (1,590 ft/s). It carried 35 rounds on board. The armor protection, designed to be proof against armor-piercing 7.92 mm (0.312 in) bullets, was 20 millimetres (0.79 in) thick on the vehicle front, 14.5 millimetres (0.57 in) and 10 millimetres (0.39 in) on the sides, 10 millimetres (0.39 in) on the rear, 10.5 millimetres (0.41 in) on the superstructure roof and 5.5 millimetres (0.22 in) on the belly.[1]

The two prototypes were completed in 1941 and they were organized into a platoon for troop trials with Panzerjäger-Abteilung ("Anti-Tank Battalion") 605 of the Afrika Korps. The first vehicle was reported received on 17 January 1942 by Panzerjäger-Abteilung 605, but the second wasn't reported as arrived in Tripoli until 23 February 1942. The platoon was transferred to the Kampfstaffel des Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee Afrika (Rommel's personal battle group) on 8 March 1942. Only one vehicle was reported operational on 25 May at the start of Operation Venezia during the Battle of Gazala; the other had been captured by the British, shown in undated photographs. Shortly afterwards, on 5 June, the Kampfstaffel reported that the other vehicle had been lost after knocking out three tanks. No further references were made to the Pz.Sfl. II.
—————

Hamilcar Barkas even pointed me to a manufacturer of a full resin kit of this panzer (which cost € 149,-!)
I still wanted to build one my self. Mainly because it’s way more fun and also because that only cost me 2 cheap kits to comprise it from (and a truckload of scratch building ).


I looked for more pictures and found these:











I looked for suitable kits to comprise it from and thought I’d be best of with these two kits:

The Sdkfz251 from Tamiya:



And the Pak 40 from Tamiya:



I made some calculations in order to be able to build the turret the right size.
I compared photo’s of the Hanomag 251 to the Selbstfahrlafette. And by that comparison I got to the right size for the turret.

Turret construction:

















Hull construction:

The fenders of the Selbst are largely different to those of the 251, but I could use most of them after cutting them up.
Heard thing; buying a new kit and starting of by cutting it to pieces.



I could use the lower part of the hull, but had to cut a lot of it off.









I glued the fenders to a bottom plate to create a solid base for the upper hull to sit on.



The front ends of the fenders of the 251 have a sharp edge, but those of the Selbst are round.
But I was able to bend them that way









Time to construct the upper hull



Detailing of the upper hull







Jerry can holders



More detailing









And finally the completed build!







Later on I’ll add some stowage and the rope hanging from the front.

That's all for now folks.

Next up: Painting!

Cheers

[rcfanuk]

Ace job so far mate, great scratch building.

Steve

[Coen]

Holy crow Han! This is beyond anything that you've done before. It's damned spectacular my friend.
Totally excellent example of fine scale modelling. More please!!!
Beautiful!

[hansolo]

Ace job so far mate, great scratch building.

Steve

Stanks Steve

cheers

[hansolo]

Holy crow Han! This is beyond anything that you've done before. It's damned spectacular my friend.
Totally excellent example of fine scale modelling. More please!!!
Beautiful!

Hi Coen. Thanks so much for your very kind words!
Yep this was a challenge, I'll tell yah!
And lots of fun to put it together in this way.
Quite satisfying!

cheers

[privatepete]

Hi nice to see someone making parts and not just buying them, proper model making, great scratch build very good indeed will be looking forward to see it in paint. Pete

[hansolo]

Hi nice to see someone making parts and not just buying them, proper model making, great scratch build very good indeed will be looking forward to see it in paint. Pete

Thanks, Pete!

cheers

[gustavlekstal]

not surprised anymore with the level of work you do, but this still blows my mind. The hinges looked great and this oddling is already top shelf! I take my hat off and just get inspired.

[hansolo]

not surprised anymore with the level of work you do, but this still blows my mind. The hinges looked great and this oddling is already top shelf! I take my hat off and just get inspired.

Thanks. You're quite welcome.

cheers

[Hillbilly]

WOW,Han your scratchbuilding skills are amazing. You have captured the lines and look of a Selbstfahrlafette perfectly in my opinion. I can't wait to see this beast in paint.

[hansolo]

Hi guys,

Here's my final update.

The panzer grey base color


After the hairspray layer the final color


Chipping and detail painting


Oilpaint rendering


Pigments


Stowage made from toilet paper soaked in white glue and water. And strapped with sewing yarn for ropes.


Added a towing rope


Frankensteined a soldier from several parts.


And here are the final pics!











































That's all folks!
I hope you've enjoyed watching.

I'm now looking for a new 'oddling' to build.
An unorthodox vehicle, a sole contraption, a weardling.

If any of you guys have any suggestions, I would welcome them.
And maybe I will build the vehicle you never thought, would come to life in one to thirtyfive!

cheers

[Coen]

Though I can't really suggest any new builds to you Han, I will compliment you on this one.
Such a simple looking piece completely hides the huge amount of conversion work that you've done. You did such a good job you can't even tell.
Amazing work buddy. First rate.

[hansolo]

Though I can't really suggest any new builds to you Han, I will compliment you on this one.
Such a simple looking piece completely hides the huge amount of conversion work that you've done. You did such a good job you can't even tell.
Amazing work buddy. First rate.

Thanks Coen! I had lot's of fun with it.
I guess I'll be roaming the internet for odd ww2 contraptions.
That's where the fun begins, anyway.

cheers

[Nige1940]

Stunning scratch building Han! very clean and precise .
Looks amazing what a super looking vehicle... now ,build another, cast it in resin ,sell it and I'd definitely buy one !

[hansolo]

Stunning scratch building Han! very clean and precise .
Looks amazing what a super looking vehicle... now ,build another, cast it in resin ,sell it and I'd definitely buy one !

Thanks Nige,

I'll keep that tip in mind!

cheers