Finished: 15mm Sd.Kfz. 251/2 Ausf. D (Mortar) platoon

Hi folks,

With a final thump, and distant bang, the last* half-tracks for my  III/26. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment force have been completed. 

As per the title this is a unit of six 15mm scale Sd.Kfz. 251/2 Ausf. D 8cm mortar carriers. 

The models are mainly Battlefront plastic kits, upgraded with mortars from the PSC half-track upgrade sprue. Two of the models (on the left of the picture above) are 'proper' Battlefront metal and resin models, with 'correct' internal layouts for mortar halftracks. 

I've still crew to add - and possible some ammo crates and the likes for the more basic plastic kits. However the unit can be fielded on the table in it's current state. I may also add radio aerials, I'm just not 100% on the availability of those in the German forces. 

This unit is actually made up of half-tracks from three kompanies of the battalion. While FoW give the option to have the vehicles in more 'useful' larger units, from what I can find (and I have no huge in depth sources on this subject) these vehicles were attached two to a Panzergrenadier Kompanie as part of the integral heavy support. While the v3 FoW Atlantic Wall book states that the division received more of these vehicles, allowing them to field a battery of them, I've found no evidence of this. 

As such, I've marked these models up using the hull numbers associated with each kompanie's vehicles. 144 - 145 for first, 244 - 245 for second and 344 - 345 for third kompanie. 

Each pair has a slightly different camo scheme, and different placement and quantity of foliage. I've stuck to my standard basing of these, so they will match in with the other vehicles in the collection. 

As per the other units, I used some Skytrex decals for the hull numbers, and some old Doms Decals for the hull numbers on the rear. Doms also provided the registration plates and the division signs (bought a long time ago). 

Weathering was applied in the form of the usual dust and dirt effects, and the same foliage attached to seafoam sprigs was used as per the other models. 

As for the progress tracking sheet, it now has a lot more green, with just the infantry and some 'optional' units outstanding (in blue):

Work has begun on the last two units - the self propelled artillery - which isn't part of the unit, but more a support option for the army. I've also realised I have some SS 120cm heavy mortars, so may add an 'optional' entry for those to the sheet, as they would require half-tracks. I'm sure someone must do models of the mortars being towed...

Anyway, with my existing painted German infantry I can field this force - hence my focus on the vehicles for now. I do have some of the old metal SS infantry figures, so will paint these at some point. For my own purposes though, I think I can count this project as 99% done! Group shot to follow at some point!

*Last other than a kompanie of 250 scout half-tracks, British/Canadian/Polish half-tracks and various additions to the Panzergrenadiers vehicles I may add in the future - like a Panzerpioneer kompanie.