Flames of War – Armoured SS Panzergrenadier Company HQ

This small box of miniatures ‘Armoured SS Panzergrenadier Company HQ‘ for the Late war German forces in the Flames of War series gives you up to 15 figures to make two command HQ teams and the all-important Sd Kfz 251 half track to transport them. The command teams can be configured in a number of ways and there is a variety of weaponry to configure the half-track: two types of MGs or a light Anti-Tank gun. Currently on a good special offer at ZATU it provides a great way to add half-track support to your forces.

The models are well detailed and the vehicle, in particular, had some great detailing. My model, however, had an issue with the main body shell being slighly bent out of shape. I was able to correct this by softening the part in hot water and bending it back in shape.

Open The Box

Armoured SS Panzergrenadier Company HQ kit by Battlefront for the Flames of War series gives you:

• 1 x Sd Kfz 251 Halftrack – configurable with MG or 3.7 cm PaK36
• 1 x Halftrack crew sprue – Driver, Machine Gunner, 2 passengers and an Officer
• 2 x MP40 SMG teams – each comprises 1 Officer and a choice from 4 men, 2 carrying Panzerfaust
• 4 x Unit cards – 1 for the Sd Kfz 251 halftrack on its own
• 1 for the SS Panzergrenadier Company HQ
• 1 for the Armoured SS Panzergrenadier Company HQ
• 1 Formation card for the D-Day Waffen SS

For the MG armament of the Sd Kfz 251 you get a choice of MG34 or MG42.

You also get a choice of tracks with or without storage panniers above.

In addition there are some full length pieces unexplained on the website which I think are probably bridging units.

The cards provide all the details you need to utilise the equipment in the Flames of War system (See How to Play) and the Formation card shows how a full Armoured Waffen SS Formation can be put together.

Crack Troops

Despite the issue I had with one of the vehicle body parts I did manage to construct a nice and true representation of the Sd Kfz 251. As is increasingly the case now, there are no assembly instructions included. You must look these up on the website. They are straightforward and easy enough to follow but they make no mention of the choice of whether or not to have the stowage units and what the mystery “bridge-like” items are used for. No decals either. The ones used are my own from the Heer Panzer Decals sheet.

There was more flash on the soldier figures than I am used to with BattleFront products and the mouldings weren’t as crisp. Also one of the figures, an NCO, was sculpted strangely so it looked like he had an arm missing! ‘Armless enough I hear you say but still annoying.

At the current special price though, a recommended buy.