Category Archives: Kits, Missing

Russian SU-152, Late version (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 05568 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian SU-152, Late version’.

Russian SU-152, Late version

History

The SU-152 (СУ-152) was a Soviet self-propelled heavy howitzer used during World War II. It mounted a 152mm gun-howitzer on the chassis of a KV-1S heavy tank.

Later production used IS tank chassis and was re-designated as ISU-152. Because of its adopted role of as an impromptu heavy tank destroyer, capable of knocking out the heaviest German armoured vehicles — Tiger, Panther and Elefant tank destroyers—it was nicknamed Zveroboy, “beast killer”.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

German 2cm Flakvierling 38 (Bronco)

Posted on by

This is the Bronco 35057 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 2cm Flakvierling 38’.

German 2cm Flakvierling 38

History

The 2cm FlaK 38 was a variant of the earlier FlaK 30 naval gun developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig from the Swiss Solothurn ST-5. The FlaK 38 was to have a greater rate of fire with improved ammunition feeding, though the 20-round box magazine was retained. The rate of fire (practical) was raised from 120 rpm to 220 rpm, while the overall weight of the weapon was lowered. With a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s, the FlaK 38 had a range of 2,200 meters.

In 1940 the 2cm Flakvierling (quad mounting) 38 was officially adopted by the German army as its standard light anti-aircraft weapon. Mauser was made responsible for the development work and subsequent production of this variant. All four guns could be fired with a combined rate of fire of 800 rpm, or the weapons could be fired in pairs.

During the war it was used either vehicle mounted or on its familiar 4-gun Sd.Ah.52 towed carriage. As the war progressed, ammunition was developed for ground use against vehicles and ground works.

Source: Bronco website

Manufacturer

German Telemeter KDO Mod 40 (Bronco)

Posted on by

This is the Bronco 35103 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Telemeter KDO Mod 40’.

German Telemeter KDO Mod 40

History

The Kommandogerät 40 was a director used principally for large anti-aircraft guns, such as the 8.8cm FlaK 36 or the 10.5cm FlaK 40.

Introduced by the German military in 1941 this small director was used by all three services and could be modified for use with almost any anti-aircraft weapon. In the field the director used a 5-man crew, two men are required to input azimuth and elevation data. A third man sets the slant range by means of a 4-meter stereo range finder which is mounted on top of the director. A fourth man sets the horizontal angle of approach, while the fifth man is a general operator. The time from first acquiring the target to firing the first round could be achieved in less than 30 seconds. The slant range could be up to 18,000 meters.

For transport the director is mounted on a Sd.Ah.52 special trailer, equipped with lifting devices, and towed by a light truck.

Source: Bronco Website

Manufacturer

German Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel (Late Production) (Dragon)

Posted on by

This is the Dragon 6321 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel – Late Production’.

German Sd.Kfz.165 Hummel – Late Production

History

Hummel (German: “bumblebee”) was a self-propelled artillery gun based on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis, armed with a 15 cm howitzer. It was used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War from early 1943 until the end of the war.

The full designation was Panzerfeldhaubitze 18M auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) Hummel, Sd.Kfz.165. On February 27, 1944, Hitler ordered the name Hummel to be dropped as being inappropriate for a fighting vehicle.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger Ausf. E (Italeri)

Posted on by

This is the Italeri 6471 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger Ausf. E’.

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger Ausf. E

History

Tiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger.

It was an answer to the unexpectedly impressive Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, particularly the T-34 and the KV-1. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first tank mounting the 88mm gun, in its first armoured fighting vehicle-dedicated version, the (KwK 36).

During the course of the war, the Tiger I saw combat on all German battlefronts. It was usually deployed in independent tank battalions, which proved to be quite formidable.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-8 (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 01565 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank, KV-8’.

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-8

History

KV-8 (42) – A KV-1 fitted with the ATO-41 flame-thrower in the turret, beside a machine gun. In order to accommodate the new weapon, the 76.2mm gun was replaced with a smaller 45mm Gun M1932, though it was disguised to look like the standard 76mm.
Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

German JagdPanzer IV, Ausf. F (Italeri)

Posted on by

This is the Italeri 6488 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German JagdPanzer IV, Ausf. F’.

German JagdPanzer IV, Ausf. F

History

The JagdPanzer Mark IV self-propelled tank-killer was built on the chassis of the Pz.Kpw.IV, one of the most efficient and widely used German tanks of the Second World War.

Characterised by a low profile, the Mark IVs were produced in their hundreds, steadily being improved and fitted with better weaponry such as the long-barrelled 7.5 cm gun that made it a match for any Allied tank.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-122 (Trumpeter)

Posted on by

This is the Trumpeter 01570 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank, KV-122’.

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-122

History

The KV-13 program’s KV-85 prototype was accepted for production as the IS-1 heavy tank.

After testing with both 100mm and 122mm guns, the D-25T 122mm gun was selected as the main armament of the new tank, primarily because of its ready availability and the effect of its large high-explosive shell when attacking German fortifications.

The KV-122 replaced the KV-85, and began mass production as the IS-2.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61 (Italeri)

Posted on by

This is the Italeri 0299 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61’.

German Sturmmörser Tiger mit 38 cm RW 61

History

During World War II the German Army had to combat frequently fortified positions or urban defense centers. Due to tactical reason – the troops were at short distance to the enemy lines – artillery and air support could not be engaged.This led to the development of the “Sturm” version of the “Tiger” heavy tank. Onto the heavy-duty chassis the efficient and unique 38 cm mortar was mounted, which had a short range but enormous fire power.

Only few units of the Sturmtiger were built and were mainly used in 1994 at the Eastern front.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer

German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F1/F2 (Early version) (Italeri)

Posted on by

This is the Italeri 6514 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F1/F2, early version’.

German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F1/F2, early version

History

The Panzer IV was the most extensively used German tank during the Second World War. It represented the “backbone” of the German Panzer Divisions on all operational theaters.The production of Panzer IV Ausf. F, started in 1941, marked a decisive boost in the evolution of the tank. It featured an improved armor on the turret and hull.

The first version of Panzer IV F, featuring the traditional 7.5 cm. KwK 37 short-barreled cannon, were not able to fight successfully against the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 heavy armoured tank.The adoption of the anti-tank design KwK 40 long-barreled cannon, on the Ausf. F2 version, has decisively increased the Panzer IV effectiveness against enemy tanks.

Thanks to its new high velocity and high penetration gun, the Panzer IV became, once again, “lethal” on the battlefields.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I – Hybrid (Italeri)

Posted on by

This is the Italeri 6487 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I – Hybrid’.

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I - Hybrid

History

During the last years of the war, the Germans, to make up for their scarce production output, reconditioned vehicles that were worn-out by the war use.

Period photos show that at the moment of Germany’s defeat, many vehicles had been collected in factories, and were ready to be put back in operation by replacing worn-out or combat-damaged parts. Reliable sources confirm that the last Tigers to come out of assembly lines were reconstructed with salvaged materials: 54 hulls and 32 turrets of the first series, possibly from tanks used in training units.Their wheels were replaced by the latest, full-metal ones, and on some tanks the anti-magnetic “Zimmerit” paste was applied directly in the factory. These tanks were assigned to training schools to form new crews.

In the last weeks of war, they took part in the last engagements of the various Kampfgruppe (combat groups formed with units coming from different detachments) that were trying to stop the Allied units swarming over Germany from East and West.

Source: Italeri website

Manufacturer