Tamiya 35020 1/35 German Hanomag SDKFZ 251/1 Plastic Model Kit

Back as a teen (all those ages and ages ago) I always wanted this kit but never got around to getting it. Three decades later I picked up the hobby again after having my Achilles Tendon surgically reattached to my heel (long story). This one one of the first kits I bought though one I didn't get around to building right away. I should have! It's a quality kit that really is fun to build.It's not as simple a kit as you might think but not so challenging as to become overwhelming. It assembles relatively easily (as long as you don't misread the instructions and assemble the wheels improperly - lost a good day trying to figure THAT one out, lol), and the kit looks great along side the newer, more detailed kits of today. It's almost hard to believe it's been around as long as it has. When assembled properly the front wheels roll and turn side to side as if being steered, and the tracks roll on the wheels a little which I find is a neat little addition. It allowed me to create track marks in the "mud" VERY easily!My only criticism - and it's simply me being picky, is I would have liked the option of adding a driver. The soldiers provided are great (I think they're a subset of the German Assault Troops kit made by Tamiya), but a driver would have offered some options other than deploying for battle. Having said that, I found a kit on here from Dragon that has 4 figures including a gunner, driver, assistant driver, and fellow with binocs specifically designed for a halftrack like this one! A FABULOUS addition to the soldiers already provided!Whether you're an old hand at military modeling or just getting started you can't go wrong by having this kit in your collection if it isn't already. Even if it IS, can you REALLY have TOO MANY halftracks??

Great kit, very detailed.

Great price, packaged well, fast shipping, thank you.

Good kit easily built. Figures were not great.

A high detailed kit that features a detailed interior including torsion bars for the suspension, Detailed interior includes crew compartment floor and crew benches. Rear crew doors are moveable and can be displayed open, closed, or in between. Rubberized plastic tracks speed construction. Separate tires ease painting. This kit includes a detailed dashboard panel with instruments faces. Pioneer tools (shovel, spade, pick) and OVM tools are included, as are two MG34 machine guns. A five man fire team armed with assault rifles, machine pistols, and machine guns allow the modeller to fully appreciate the combat power of Panzer Grenadiers and their SdKf1 251/1 Half Track. Decals for three different vehicles are provided the and numerous number decals allow the model builder to customize the markings of the half track down to the company, platoon, and vehicle level. The easy to follow instruction sheet includes an Order of Battle Diagram explaining the organization of Panzer Grenadier units.

The model was solid. Packed great and wrapped up good in a box. Was a Christmas present for my son. He loves it and thinks it’s cool. UPS gets no stars from me !

As others have stated, the figures lack detail in the face, but it's a minor point as their equipment and poses are great. The rear hatches were tricky to assemble; have electrical tape on hand to keep them closed while painting. It's a fun kit to put together.

Nicely detailed model. Intermediary modelers should have no problem assembling this model.