Tamiya 35147 - 1:35 SdKfz 251/9 Kanonenwagen

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Sd.Kfz.251/9 Kanonenwagen half-track

Tamiya 35147 is a model kit for self-assembly depicting the Sd.Kfz.251/9 — the Hanomag half-track rearmed with the short 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun. Nicknamed Stummel (stump) by the troops after its short barrel, the vehicle gave the Panzergrenadiers immediate fire support where tanks could not reach.

The kit is based on entirely new tooling from 1990 and represents the Ausf.D with the early gun mount. It offers an open fighting compartment with a detailed interior and steerable front wheels, which allows a dynamic pose in a diorama. The decal sheet covers three options: a vehicle of the 12th Panzer Division, number 534 of the 2nd Panzer Division and number 246 of the 24th Panzer Division.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, fighting compartment and gun
• Vinyl band tracks
• Detailed interior of the open fighting compartment
• Steerable front wheels
• One figure
• Decal sheet with three marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35147
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 173 mm
• Skill level: beginner

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

Building the model:

A kit from new tooling is a pleasure to build — the parts fit well and the vinyl band tracks make short work of the running gear. Since the fighting compartment stays open, it is worth painting its interior and the gun before the sides are finally fitted; this is the most visible part of the finished model. The steerable front wheels let you set the vehicle in a natural, turned position.

German vehicles of 1943–1945 are usually painted with a dark yellow base (e.g. Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow) and patches of green and brown; the instructions give paint codes for all three options. Military vehicle models are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the compartment interior comes to life with washes that pick out the details.

Tools you will need:

• Model sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Sd.Kfz.251/9 Stummel:

The Sd.Kfz.251, commonly known as the Hanomag, was the standard German armoured half-track of the Second World War and spawned dozens of specialised variants. One of the most interesting was the /9, in which a short 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun — the same weapon originally fitted to the PzKpfw IV — was mounted in the open fighting compartment.

The troops nicknamed it Stummel, or stump, after its short barrel. Its job was to accompany the Panzergrenadiers and destroy strongpoints, field fortifications and lightly armoured targets with direct fire from within the assault itself.

The Ausf.D reproduced in the kit was the most numerous version of the Sd.Kfz.251, with a simplified welded hull adapted to mass production. Early /9 vehicles had a distinctive gun mount that differed from the later standardised arrangement — and it is precisely this variant that Tamiya 35147 recreates.

Original vehicle specifications (Sd.Kfz.251/9 Ausf.D):

• Main armament: short 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun
• Type: Sd.Kfz.251 (Hanomag) armoured half-track
• Version: Ausf.D, early gun mount
• Role: direct fire support for Panzergrenadiers
• Fighting compartment: open-topped

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber and produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic model kit. Two years later came the 1:35 scale tank that set the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. Tamiya instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the painting diagrams provide specific paint codes. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of items covering vehicles, artillery and figures from across the twentieth century. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the industry.