This page will show the gradual conversion of Howard and Kath's SdKfz 251/1 Ausf C's as supplied from Mark-1-Tanks, to the later model Ausf D's. Howard is intending to make one of the engineers models, /7, and Kath's will hopefully be a dual role /1 general Armoured Personnel Carrier but with Infra Red gear and a /20 UHU with the 60cm Infra Red searchlight mounted in the rear. Over the next few months these pictures will follow the extensive modifications being made to both of the models.

First Howard set to removing all the running gear...	...and the top half which is particular to the A/B/C model.	Then a completely new /D top half was made from sheet steel including the armoured front panel.	The top has cut outs for the periscopes and the armoured engine starting handle cover is the front fixing point for the top half.	This shows clearly the extended rear peculiar to the /D model...
...and the correctly bolted rear section.	Inside can be seen the prototypical bolted flanges between the front and rear sections.	A close up of the bonnet with it's bolted, recessed fixing.	An interesting comparison of before and after. See how much more crew space there is in the modified D model.	Howard's been busy again, he's started work on the stowage boxes integral to the D models sides.
Round the front you can see the new mud guards and exhaust silencer together with the front section of stowage bins.	A close up of the exhaust silencer.	This shows how the top comes clean off for access to the inside and electronics!	Here we have the original top with the second top for Kath's half track...	...and now a third for a mystery man!
Kath's half track will have a dual personality, that of a straight APC for when she's driving and a UHU with the Infra Red searchlight for when Humpy drives it. Here we see the first general arrangement drawing...	...and here's what it looks like in the flesh! The resin model in between the uprights is the 1/35th model which we took our measurements from.	Here with the addition of the lower crosspiece and the 'tombstone' plate as I called it, complete with Howard's embellishment! A 300mm steel rule stands next to it for an idea of size.	A fuzzy picture but showing the re-enforcing gussets and end plates.	An interesting comparison with the searchlight support plonked in the back of one of the half tracks.
While Howard got on with fitting the storage locker sponsons on Kath's Halftrack, Humpy carried on with the UHU light (with not a little help from Howard!!)	The drum is made from 110mm waste pipe. Although not easy to see, the bracket inside the drum with the elevation servo is attached to the pivots with just an arm attached to the drum to move it. This keeps the weight of the drum down to a minimum.	Trial fitted for size is the reflector and lens out of Humpy's work torch!!! The drum still has a lot of detail to be fitted yet, it looks kinda plain at the moment!	Another view, this time head on. Note the Dragon model in the background for reference and the Pint mug of tea!	A few more bits added to the half tracks, here the armoured visors complete with hinges.
A close up of the new split bonnet showing the hinges...	...and a close up of the catches.	The rear doors have been fitted and here you can see the new hinges and T handle...	...and inside, the locking arrangement and either side an Armorpax fire extinguisher.	A close up of an open door and the locking arrangement.
The self contained front axle can be seen in this view. The two servos are Titanium geared all metal servos at huge cost each! I hope they last!!!	And here we see the assembly mounted underneath the chassis.	In this under bonnet view you can see the smoke generator squeezed in the very front with one of the batteries behind and the upright bulkhead behind the gearbox.	Now you can see the plate where the speed controllers will be mounted. This should be out of view when the bonnets are lifted.	This is the UHU rotation mechanism run via a servo on continuous run. This will mount beneath the floor out of sight.
Now the tracks and wheels are back on it's interesting to see the halftrack taking shape...	...and now with the top on it definitely looks the part.	Through the back doors you can see another two batteries and the UHU rotation mechanism which will all be beneath a false floor.	At last a halftrack! There's still some way to go but it's interesting to see the major assembly's put together for the first time.	This is the under bonnet panel with the Benedini sound module and the mounting bracket for the Rx.
Both electronics panels installed with the speakers, ESC's, Voltmeter, charging socket and hour meter at the top with the sound module panel underneath the nose.	This is the new false floor made from steel, naturally, with the transmission covers in the middle at the front, two box shapes for the seats to sit on and the long boxes for the bench seats.	Here's the floor sitting in the half track with the padded backs and metal frames for the wooden slats inplace.	Two standard Dragon figures were heavily 'modified' by removing there legs and lower torso...	...so that they sit on the Armorpax seats nicely. These seats will be bolted onto the floor with a rod for the dollys to sit on.
Once he figures are installed they peer out of the visors quite nicely.	Here Howard starts the painting!	The false floor has now had it's tread plating attached and painted and the slatted seats are starting to take shape.