SWS Halftrack

Roco SWS halftrack.  When Eadai made an SdKfz 251 I purchased a lot of them as they were 1/76th scale and there were none in HO 1/87 scale.  Eventually, Paul Heiser Models and Trident made the SdKfz 251 in a variety of versions and so I disposed of my Eadai ones.  I kept the forward machine guns, and mounted them on Roco SWS munitions carrier halftracks.  I use them as ersatz personnel carriers or as an armed munitions carrier.  I also added a bit of track from a Fujimi PanzerJager I model on the side of the cab.  You can also see a Roco shovel on the back, and a Jerry can from somewhere on the side.  All those extras really perk up this old model.

Roco Grille, modified with the earlier 88mm gun.  One of these was produced and saw service in Italy.  This version of the 88 was more reliable but the other was more capable.  Crew are Italeri German anti-tank gun crews and an Odemars WWII German Commanders figure.

It's a two minute conversion and gives me a unique vehicle.

And rather good looking I think.  This probably and Airfix 1/76th scale gun and shield and it might look better with a Roco HO scale 88mm but I don't have a spare one.  I think it looks okay.

Here you can see the front of the SWS.  It was not unusual for them to have a spare tire on the front.  I have done that with a few of them, but obviously not on this one.

The little sign designated the command center for the artillery company.  The fire direction center is located there for the whole company, each firing battery also has their own FDC.  It's hard to see but there is also a supply dump there too.

Commanders watch the action from a tall building.  Observing the fall of shot for indirect fire.

Marx tree in the snow.  Guns at the ready.