Reference, Nuts & Bolts Vol.21, Kanonenwagen Sd.Kfz.251/9 “Stummel”

NUTS & BOLTS


Nuts & Bolts Vol.21, Kanonenwagen Sd.Kfz.251/9 “Stummel”. By Detlev Terlisten. Soft covers, 8.25 x 11.75-inches, 98 pages. Contains 90 B & W photos, 120 color photos, 12 sets of color plates, six pages of 1/35th-scale line drawings, one page of Tech Manual line drawings, six tables, two organization charts, kitography and bibliography.


For the first time in their history, the Nuts & Bolts team has revised an older title, in this case, that describing the Sd.Kfz.251/9 that mounted redundant 7.5cm L/24 guns. The team has added to this volume a fair number of new archival images as well as a large number of new color photos depicting the details on surviving museum examples. Additionally, while the original booklet (Volume 6) centered its coverage around the Ausf.D hull, this new volume also covers the Ausf.C version. The scale plans have been revised to cover the Ausf.C as well as to provide more details on the two different Ausf.D types, and all-new color plates describing a total of 11 vehicles are provided.


The dual-language, parallel German- and English-language text gives a brief run-down on the development of the vehicle and then goes on to provide descriptions of unit use, lists of museum examples and a modeler’ section. The latter gives a run-down of available kits in various scales, as well as some accessory and conversion products. Tables show production statistics, vehicle specifications and unit allocations at a certain point in time. An extremely handy table provides a list of photos that show specific markings on various ‘/9s; these are keyed to the titles listed in this book’s bibliography and will help the modeler along quite nicely. Other charts show specific tactical symbols, while two different KSTN organization charts are provided; one is for November 1943, while the other is for November 1944.


But the real attraction in this new volume is the collection of archival photographs. While some have been seen in the previous volume and some others have been seen in other books, it would appear that almost all available images of the type are gathered here in one place. They are well-captioned and properly-reproduced on glossy coated paper stock for maximum clarity. These are complimented by 120 color and 33 B&W photographs of museum examples, many of which show all of the small details we modelers need to know about. The stated number of color photos includes ten of models, some older and some new. None are credited, but some bear the unmistakable stamp of noted modeler, Tony Greenland (who is part of the N&B team).


The 1/35th-scale line drawings are by John Rue. The two different sets for the Ausf.D (recessed and K51 high-profile mount) appear to be all-new and have many detail differences compared to the original drawings in Vol.6. More interior information is provided using cutaway and perspective drawings. The only glitch I noted is that the rollers on the drive sprockets are centered in relation to the rim segments, when they should be offset. Also covered (and new for this book) is the Ausf.C, with a complete set of five views. Two line drawings are reproduced from wartime sources; they detail the StuK gun mounts of the StuG.III, from which these vehicles were armed. However, despite the original and still visible text, the guns are described as being “7.5cm KwK37 L/24”, which they most certainly are not. Although the 7.5cm KwK L/24 and 7.5cm StuK L/24 were similar guns, their mounts were very different. The final bunch of graphics is the color plates, excellently-rendered by Carlos de Deigo Vaquerizo. They cover four Ausf.Cs, four low-profile Ausf.Ds and three Ausf.Ds with K51 mounts. All except one (a generic Dunkelgrau Ausf.C) are accompanied by thumb-nails of the photographs upon which they are based, ensuring accuracy.


As a modeler-oriented reference source, the Nuts & Bolts series has no peer. Each volume provides enough graphics to answer most (if not all) of those pesky little questions that only we modelers ask. While the original volume from N&B did the job quite well, this new one also does it right, but in a much more complete manner. So if the modeler owns the original volume, this one will still prove useful. If the modeler does not have the original volume and has an interest in this vehicle type (we have recent kits from AFV Club and DML to work with), the time to act is now; these books usually go out of print quickly.


Highly Recommended.


Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto


Nuts & Bolts books are available at retail and mail order shops and from the publisher Heiner F. Duske at: Nikolaus-Otto-Strasse 10, 24536 Neumünster, Germany. E-mail: hfd.duske@t-online.de.


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