Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf C "Stuka zu Fuss"

My fourth model completed in June/July 2014 was another Sd.Kfz.251.  This time the 251/1 II - Rocket launcher (called "Stuka zu Fuß" (Walking Stuka) or Wurfrahmen 40) equipped with six side mounted frames for launching 280 mm or 320 mm Wurfkoerper rockets.  I don't have one of these in my collection so it was time to start.

So here is a few war time pictures of the beast.

I did something different with this one and basically tried to follow the step by step directions from an article by Kamil Feliks Sztarbala in the March 2014 issue of Model Military International magazine.

Paints and techniques used

• The model was primed using Vallejo Surface Primer in black (running gear) and German primer red (interior and outside) as per the magazine article.
• Interior was sprayed with chipping fluid but could have easily have used hairspray.  Then used Tamiya XF-57 Buff as the main colour and XF-55 Deck Tan over top as a highlight but not sure that works well in this scale.  The scrapped away some paint and voila! chipped interior!
• Sprayed outside with XF-15 Flesh with highlights of XF-15. This worked really well despite me using too much paint as usual. It's hard to leave some of the primer showing through. Shadows enhanced with XF-26 Clear Orange. Not sure what I think about that to be honest.  
• For tracks, tires and rubber, I used paints from AK Interactive's AK557 Tracks and Wheels set.  This is a really brilliant set.  I'm going to get a huge amount of use out of this.  
• Small details such as the wooden rocket crates, rockets were painted with a couple of Vallejo paints I've accumulated.  Metal bits were done with Humbrol.
• Varnish used was from Tamiya. did make the mistake of not gloss varnishing the spot where the decals were to go first which caused some problems

Weathering wise, I pretty much did the same as for the Sd.Kfz.7/1 and other models but was a bit more subtle with the chipping.  Not totally happy with the chipping on the bonnet but live and learn. I did following the instructions in the magazine and try different mud and dust shades which I think worked well. 

Here's what Kamil Feliks Sztarbala did in 1/48 scale.

And here's what I did in 1/72 scale although a slightly different vehicle and no base.

Lessons for next time

• Don't paint so thickly.  Let the undercoat shine through.  Easier said than done.
• Don't do too much chipping - espeically at 1/72 scale.
• Don't worry too much about the contrast between the XF-15 and XF-55 before weathering. I toned out the XF-15 too much with XF-55 Deck Tan.
• Fill in all the moulding holes that are visible. 

Overall, I like how this model is a lot less monochrome in finish than the last one. There is a lot more visual interest there. In fact, it sits on my shelf and I can't stop looking at it.   I think it's my best model yet.