German 12.8 cm PaK 44 Waffenträger, Krupp 1 (Trumpeter)

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This is the Trumpeter 05523 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 12.8 cm PaK 44 Waffenträger, Krupp 1’.

German 12.8 cm PAK 44 Waffenträger, Krupp 1

History

Towards the laset months of WWII the Ardelt/Krupp design team concepted the Einheitswaffenträger 12,8cm IFH, which based on chassis components already used in the Hetzer and 38 D vehicle series, as only a minimum of protection was intended with the aircooled V12 Tatra Diesel engine.Till end of the war only few prototypes were built.

Source: Trumpeter website

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Russian Heavy Tank, KV-1S (Trumpeter)

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This is the Trumpeter 01566 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Heavy Tank, KV-1S’.

Russian Heavy Tank, KV-1S

History

KV-1S – A lighter variant of late 1942 with higher speed, but thinner armour. A new, smaller, cast turret and redesigned rear hull were used. 1370 were built.

In response to criticisms, the lighter KV-1S (Russian language: КВ-1С) was released, with thinner armour and a smaller, lower turret in order to reclaim some speed. Importantly, the KV-1S also had a commander’s cupola with all-around vision blocks, a first for a Soviet heavy tank.

However, the thinning-out of the armor called into question why the tank was being produced at all, when the T-34 could seemingly do everything the KV could do and much more cheaply. The Soviet heavy tank program was close to cancellation in mid-1943.

Source: Trumpeter website

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German Panzerkampfwagen VI (P) (Dragon)

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This is the Dragon 6352 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerkampfwagen VI (P)’.

German Panzerkampfwagen VI (P)

History

The VK4501 (P), also known as the Tiger (P), was an unsuccessful heavy tank prototype produced by Porsche in Germany in 1942.

On the 21st May 1942, Henschel and Porsche at a meeting in Germany were asked to submit designs for a 45 ton heavy tank capable of mounting the high velocity 88mm KwK L/56 gun which was derived from the German 88mm FlaK gun. Both the Henschel and Porsche tanks were to be fitted with the same turret supplied by Krupp.

The Porsche company worked on updating the VK3001P medium tank, Porsche’s medium tank prototype, and adapted parts used on it for the new tank.

Source: Wikipedia

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Russian JS-4 Heavy Tank (Trumpeter)

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This is the Trumpeter 05573 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian JS-4 Heavy Tank’.

Russian JS-4 Heavy Tank

History

Originally developed in competition with the IS-3, the IS-4 (Object 245) was similarly an extensive redesign of the IS-2. The hull was lengthened, with an extra set of road wheels added and an improved engine. Both the hull and turret were uparmoured.

Several alternative armaments were explored in paper studies, although ultimately the IS-2’s original 122mm gun was retained. An effort was also made to make use of technical data derived from study of the German wartime Panzer V Panther tank, which influenced the layout of the IS-4’s engine cooling system.

The tank was approved for mass production in 1948 but due to disappointing speed and mobility only 200 were build. Most of these were transferred to the Russian Far East in 1950 in preparation for the planned Soviet intervention in the Korean War. When this operation was aborted the tanks nevertheless remained stationed in the region until their decommissioning in the 1960s.

Source: Trumpeter website

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German Schwere Plattformwagen Type SSMYS 80 ton (Trumpeter)

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This is the Trumpeter 00221 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Schwere Plattformwagen Type SSMYS 80 ton’.

German Schwere Plattformwagen Type SSMYS 80 ton

History

During WWII, the SSMYS 80ton vast railroads in Europe and Russia were used to carry military items closer to the front.

In the case of tanks, this got them closer to the battlefield faster than if they had been driven there under their own power. It also left the tank crews fresher for battle.

This particular SSYMS 80 ton, was used for carrying the Germany Panther and Tiger heavy tank.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Russian SU-152, Late version (Trumpeter)

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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)

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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 Railway Gondola (Trumpeter)

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This is the Trumpeter 01517 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Railway Gondola’.

German Railway Gondola

History

The Heavy Cargo Cars (Schwereer Feldbahnwagen) were often seen with troops in transport. The cargo transported can be what ever you mighe imagine they might have carried. MG-clamp mounts were usually fastened to the sides and the sides gave some protection for the troops in transport.
Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

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German Railway Gondola – Lower sides (Trumpeter)

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This is the Trumpeter 01518 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Railway Gondola – Lower sides’.

German Railway Gondola - Lower sides

History

The Deutche Reichsbahn was pushed into service when the German Army began to move mass amounts of troops and machinery. The Light Cargo (Leichter Feldbahnwagen) was used to carry anything and everything including light armor.

Half tracks, soft skin vehicles and light armor like the Marter III were seen on these cars. They were used throughout the span of the war. These cars were often sand bagged and used with AA units for Air cover.

Source: Trumpeter website

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German Telemeter KDO Mod 40 (Bronco)

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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