ICM 35107 - 1:35 Stuka zu Fuss Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.B WWII German MLRS

Plastic model kit of the German rocket-armed half-track “Stuka zu Fuß” Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.B in 1:35 scale

ICM 35107 is a kit for self-assembly representing the German Sd.Kfz. 251/1 half-track armoured personnel carrier in its Ausf.B version, adapted to carry Wurfrahmen 40 rocket launchers. Heavy rockets were mounted on frames fixed to both sides of the vehicle, and the distinctive roar of their launch earned the system the soldiers' nickname “Stuka zu Fuß” (“Stuka on foot”), a reference to the Ju 87 dive bomber.

The model combines a new mould of the Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.B carrier with the launcher parts. Three launch frames with rockets are fitted on each side of the hull; elevation was adjusted by changing the angle of the frames, while horizontal aiming was achieved by turning the whole vehicle.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with parts for the Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.B carrier (new mould)
• Wurfrahmen 40 launcher frame parts with rockets (three per side)
• Decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35107
• Manufacturer: ICM
• Assembled length: approx. 166 mm
• Difficulty level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The build covers both the carrier hull with its running gear and the launcher frames with rockets, so the model is best suited to modellers with some experience. It is worth taking care over the precise alignment of the launch frames on both sides, as they define the vehicle's distinctive silhouette.

For this early-war vehicle the German dark grey (Panzergrau) typical of the period is recommended; the instructions provide paint suggestions. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and detail and recesses can be emphasised by applying a wash.

Tools required:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out the detail
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Sd.Kfz. 251 “Stuka zu Fuß”:

Germany began work on its own rocket weapons as early as 1929, and in 1931 a dedicated department was set up within the War Ministry to oversee this line of development. By 1940 the Wehrmacht had fielded 158 mm rocket launchers – the 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 – for the direct fire support of ground units.

Heavier systems followed, using 280 mm high-explosive and 320 mm incendiary rockets. These powerful munitions weighed around 80 kg, had a range of about 2 km and were intended to break through enemy defences in both open terrain and urban conditions. To improve mobility the launchers were mounted on various platforms – one of them being the Sd.Kfz. 251.

The vehicle was fitted with three wooden or metal launch frames on each side, carrying the rocket projectiles. The rockets were fired electrically by remote ignition. Among German soldiers the system became known as “Stuka zu Fuß” (“Stuka on foot”), a nod to the famous Ju 87 dive bomber.

Original vehicle specifications (Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf.B):

• Crew and infantry: 2 crew plus an infantry squad
• Powerplant: Maybach petrol engine of approx. 100 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 50 km/h
• Hull length: approx. 5.80 m
• Armament: Wurfrahmen 40 rocket launchers (280/320 mm rockets) and machine guns
• Armour: plates from approx. 6 to 14.5 mm thick

About the manufacturer – ICM:

ICM is a Ukrainian manufacturer of model kits based in Kyiv, active in the modelling market since the 1990s. The company specialises in injection-moulded plastic kits covering aircraft, military and civilian vehicles, equipment and figures, and in recent years it has also developed its own line of acrylic paints and modelling chemistry. ICM is known for tooling new moulds and for choosing subjects rarely offered by other manufacturers. Its kits are characterised by finely reproduced detail and careful parts engineering. Releases often appear in variants pairing the same machine with different equipment, figures or configurations. Today the brand is recognised by modellers worldwide and available in many countries.