SgKfz 250 question (+)

[Roman Alymov]

One of Kubinka’s SdKfz250s are now in process of being prepared to be returned to exposition (can’t really call it restoration since it is done by Museum stuff in rush – they are assembling it). I have a question about one element of it – the bracket on forward right side of engine armour, right above towing hook and behind right headlight position.

Here are some images (be carefull, big foros!):

http://tankdriver.users.photofile.ru.../207013663.jpg

http://tankdriver.users.photofile.ru.../207013686.jpg

http://tankdriver.users.photofile.ru.../207013689.jpg

http://tankdriver.users.photofile.ru.../207013697.jpg

Do you have an idea is it original or it is a kind of post-war improvisation and have to be removed before the vehicle moved back to exposition?

Thank you very much!

Best regards,

Roman Alymov

[Bullitt]

250 alt

Hi

glad to see something is done to this poor looking 250 alt
did they find originals tracks then ?or will they put those hideous looking Russian tracks on again ?
looks like some original sand colour was still underneath that green paint

the bracket in question is unclear to me ? use? original ?

the towing brackets however , need to be removed since they are definately non original postwar modifications

ciao
Bullitt

[Panzerknacker12]

Mine is an ausf.B, so ive not seen this bracket. Are they going to sand blast or just keep the ****ty wire wheel job?

[Roman Alymov]

Thank you,
We can’t remove this makeshift towing brackets - the vehicle is missing the original one so if left without towing brackets it will be impossible to move.
The bracket in question seems to me to be taken from a kind of thin-metal plate or fender (note rivet holes on lover side of it) and welded on the armor. I think it was done by Germans – since post-war Soviet users preferred to remove everything they do not need, not to add something extra.
But who knows… Probably we will leave it “as is”.

[FJCM]

There´s a quite easy way to know if they are German or not...Were they painted Dunkegelb ?
I doubt the museum crew would have repainted them before the vehicle was painted overall green.
By the way, are you documenting the original colors in which these vehicles were painted ? I mean if before sandblasting them until the bare metal you take some pictures of the paint layers.
TIA

[Bullitt]

250

Hi

original tow brackets can still be found , since this kind of tow bracket was fixed on several types of vehicles.

it would be better if your workshop made a more appropriate hook to fix on the original position. the makeshift brackets that are welded onto the hull are way to big.

and what about the tracks ?


ciao
Bullitt

[Roman Alymov]

There´s a quite easy way to know if they are German or not...Were they painted Dunkegelb ?

As you may see on the photos, the bracket seems to carry all the same shades and layers of paint that the vehicle’s armor (except it’s lower part that was nearly unpainted since nobody see it normally when the fender is on it’s place). Still, I do not overestimate mythical German order – it’s not necessarily every part was carefully painted after field repairs or modifications, especially on later stages of war.

I doubt the museum crew would have repainted them before the vehicle was painted overall green.

Many of Museum vehicles traveled a lot on tests and exhibitions in late 40s-early 50s, so green may be not the first paint applied by Soviet hands.

By the way, are you documenting the original colors in which these vehicles were painted ? I mean if before sandblasting them until the bare metal you take some pictures of the paint layers.

Well, we are doing it when possible (it is not always is).

[Roman Alymov]

original tow brackets can still be found , since this kind of tow bracket was fixed on several types of vehicles.

Yes I know, but we can’t simply go out and buy a pair of proper hooks, and we do not have sample to produce a copy from right now. As soon as we have a replacement – we will replace them. The makeshifts are not actually the hooks but halfs of broken shackle brackets welded on the armor.

and what about the tracks ?

We have one complete track chain (probably coming from vehicle destroyed in Battle for Moscow) in very poor shape, and probably few more tracks.

[Herr Lyppe]

Roman,
Thanks for the photos and the museum's efforts to keep these pieces from deteriorating any further. So many museum's struggle for funding.
Although it may help to know which model Ausf. A the vehicle is, I think it's safe to assume that the bracket is for mounting the spade end of the pick that was mounted on the fender.
I've found a number of photos where it appears in a couple of different forms, some mounted on the fender rather than the panel, but the size would seem to fit this purpose also.



Regards
Allan

[Roman Alymov]

Thank you very much, Allan!
I think it is a perfect match to this bracket.

[Herr Lyppe]

Glad it helped!
Please keep us posted if any such photos of the museum's SdKfz 250/9 Ausf. B become available. This thing is a bitch to get details on and the only known surviving Hangelafette turret.
Cheers
Allan

allan_williams@y7mail.com