1:35 Canvas for Sdkfz251 C

The real subject

The Sd.Kfz. 251 is a German armored half-track of the Second World War. At the front it has a wheeled axle, at the back a tracked running gear, and above the frame an armored hull with an open troop compartment. It is precisely the open top that is typical of the silhouette of the vehicle, and in the field a tarpaulin was stretched over it, protecting the crew and the stowage. The Ausf. C is one of the production variants of the whole series.

What the set contains

The set brings a tarpaulin for this armored half-track in 1:35 scale. It is replaced by a shaped part with the sag and the folds a stretched textile has, which is a detail that can be modeled from the plastic of a kit only with difficulty. A finished model with a tarpaulin comes across differently from an open vehicle, and it offers a practical advantage too: it covers the interior, which otherwise has to be fitted out and painted in full.

Building and painting tips

First try dry how the tarpaulin sits on the edges of the hull, and even out any play by sanding the mating surfaces back. Cut the surplus material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the rest back. Wash and degrease the part before painting. Choose the glue according to the material of the parts. A matte shade suits a tarpaulin, with the tops of the folds lightened by a dry brush and a darker application settled into the hollows. Textile is far less shiny than sheet metal, so choose a matte final varnish.

Who it is for

The set suits modelers who want to set a vehicle into a particular scene. Paints, glue and other equipment are not included, unless stated otherwise.