"Hanomag Frustration" Topic

I have been building up a new set of WW2 forces for the period 1943-44. It is primarily based upon figures from Perry and Offensive with some Warlord thrown in. The vehicles are primarily Rubicon which I think are excellent. However, as I move to building a platoon of Panzergrenadiers I find that the key SdKfz 251 (Neu) half tracks are sold out. Very frustrating. Other items which have been 'sold out' have not, as yet, appeared this year. After investigation I find that Rubicon is ultimately a Chinese company and we are at the mercy of international logistics. There isn't anything anybody can do about it but … aargh.

This is more of a feeling than a scientific observation, but it seems like it's getting more difficult to tell what retailers have in stock. I've tried to filter "Out of stock" items out of search results and the functionality to do that seems to be less common now. "Out of stock" is instead being buried in the item details and I've had to click through individual items.

You are so right. The number of times I have chased something down on the net only to have the 'huzzah' die on my lips as I see the words 'out of stock' noted (usually faintly) beside the item.

Retailers in general are less and less likely to update their stock. I too have run into this issue a lot of the time. I am not sure exactly how this benefits them as it would seem to lead to pissed off customers.

It may be the result of low-carrying inventories and dependence on just-in-time restock which is no longer just in time at all. It also has a great deal to do with retailers wanting their web stores to stay on search engine results by leaving that item on their store regardless of stock (more trouble to remove it).

Forgive me for mentioning this and I do understand your frustration with not being able to get what you are looking for but I was unaware the Sdkfz 251 was referred to as NEU. I know the Sdkfz 250 had an Alte and a Neu version but not the Sdkfz 251.
Also have you tried the Blitzkrrieg Miniatures 251? They are nice.

Disco Joe check this link and scroll to the 251 D
link

That is the first time I have ever heard of the Sdkfz 251 Ausf D referred to as a Neu. In all the books I have which are many and what I have found online it is referred to the model such as A, B, C and D. Now as I stated before there are 2 models of the 250 which they refer to as Alte and Neu. Does that mean then that the Sdkfz 250 should also be referred to as Ausf A and B? I am just asking because if the 251 D can be referred to as Neu then the 250 Neu should also be called Ausf B.

Never seen that before, either. Always 251 referred to by Mod letter, (A, B, C, D). And 250's by Alte and Neu.

I love the way these posts can get away from the original point. It makes this site such a treasure.

P.S. I have now managed to source my Rubicon Hanomags from other sources, some of which provided them for below the RRP and/or post free.