Sdkfz 223 question

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I’m in the process of detailing Tamiya’s 223 (1/35) and I had some questions about some of the interior detail.

The kit has that vertical tube (that it shares with the 222) in the center of the hull of the vehicle. If you look directly down through the turret it is offset towards the forward end of the vehicle. I have removed this to replace it with a more correct scratchbuilt mounting column.The interior photos (courtesy of AFV Interiors and other sources) show the machine gun mounted on a cone shaped column with the mounting bar for the mg doglegging upwards. There is a bicylce seat opposite this with what look like it may be a brass catching box suspended to the side.

Now the question. There is a suppot bar that can be seen that attaches to the turret ring. Are there one of these or two? Running to opposite sides from the center column to the turret ring? Attached are two photos of the turret. Anyone know of another good source for info on the 223?

Thanks, Mike

2

AVF Interiors has more inside shots of this vehicle than I have in all of my books combined, and I have about 400 books on WW II and AFVs. One of the few Schiffer books I don’t own is German Light Reconnaissance Vehicles, but I don’t know if this one would help or not. Sorry. [sigh]

3

Mike - are you refering to the support bar labeled as #5 in the picture. If you are, then there are 2 of them. If you look at the pics you supplied, the second photo’s support bar labeled #5 is actually on the other side of the turret.

4

Peridexion, thanks. You’ve added alot to the forum and bring some good info to the table. Shame there isn’t more info on this vehicle. Panzer Tracts has a book out on German Recon vehicles as well but I didn’t want to lay out the money for a book that had info I wasn’t interested in. Didn’t want to buy it sight unseen.

Thanks Robert, I now see that. Because of the angle of the mg support bar it blocks the view of the second support bar. I wanted to be sure though. One of those things akin to “why is Sandra Bullock never in the room at the same time Michale Jackson is? Coincidence or one in the same?”

Mike

5

Mike, the support bar Robert referred to is virtually identical in both the 222 and 223. The Schiffer book has good reference photos and decsriptions. I have other information somehwhere on the shelf. I’ll try to locate it this week and email you. - Ed

6

Thanks Ed, I could use it.
Another question I have is
Is the underside of this vehicle painted the same as the upper chassis and hull. i.e. if the hull is dunkelgelb, would the frame and under carriage be dark grey?

Mike