Tag Archives: german

Vehicles and equipment from Germany

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

Where I got it

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

Manufacturer

Where I got it

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

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

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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 8.8 cm PaK 43 Waffenträger (Trumpeter)

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This is the Trumpeter 05550 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 8.8cm PaK 43 Waffenträger’.

German 8.8 cm PAK-43 Waffenträger

History

On 19 April 1944 Krupp representatives visited Ardeltwerke in Eberwalde to discuss the design of the 8.8 cm PaK 43 Kp auf Waffenträger. Ardelt was sent a second PaK 43 from series production. The Waffenträger with this gun presented a significant improvement and was completely satisfactory in firing and driving trials.During the meeting on development and production on 9 January 1945, the status of the Waffenträger 8.8 cm PaK 43 was reported as: In spite of using couriers to deliver suspension parts, only 2 are expected to be completed by 31 December 1944.

All means will be used in an attempt to obtain all of the suspension parts by the end of December. If this is achieved, a further 19 should be completed by 15 January 1945.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Flakpanzer IV, Möbelwagen (Tamiya)

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This is the Tamiya 35 101-2500 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Flakpanzer IV, Möbelwagen’.

German Flakpanzer IV, Möbelwagen

History

The Möbelwagen was essentially a standard Panzer IV hull and chassis with hinged armoured flaps 10mm thick. The Möbelwagen entered service in the Autumn of 1943 and were used by the AA platoons of tank regiments until the end of 1944.
Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I, Ausf E (Late version) (Tamiya)

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This is the Tamiya 35 146-4000 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I, Ausf E – Late version’.

German Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I, Ausf E – Late version

History

At the time of its introduction in 1942, the German Tiger I was the most powerful and sophisticated tank available anywhere in the world, and is still considered a weaponry masterpiece of that era. Most of the Tiger I’s were produced by Henschel, a heavy industry manufacturer in Germany. The later versions of the Tiger I went into production in January 1944, almost two and a half years after its debut. Many features like the thick armor plating, measuring up to 100mm in thickness at some areas, remaining unchanged.

Roadwheel improvements consisted of replacing the rubber rimmed roadwheels with new wheels that ran on steel rims, which were insulated from the hub by two rubber rings clamped between disc-shaped pressings. Changes made to the turret were: a commander’s cupola with seven vision ports, an anti-aircraft machine gun ring, and a side pivoting hatch; a loader’s hatch with periscope; the smoke exhaust outlet relocated to the center of the turret; and internally mounted “S” mine dischargers.

The 88mm KwK36(L/56) main gun was considered for replacement with the awesome KwK43(L/71) cannon, as used on the King Tiger, but was never accomplished. It has been said that one Tiger I tank was equal to five Sherman tanks on the battlefield and it was the most feared and respected of all German tanks during the conflict.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Personnel Carrier, Hanomag (Zvezda)

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This is the Zvezda 3572 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Personnel Carrier, Hanomag, Sd.Kfz.251/1, Ausf. B’.

German Personnel Carrier, Hanomag, Sd.Kfz.251/1, Ausf. B

History

In 1937 Hanomag was appointed by the German Wehrmacht to develop a medium semi-tracked armored personnel carrier, capable to accompany the tanks of the Panzer Divisions. Production started in 1939 and continued until 1943.

The 251 served as basis for many variants, over 4000 units were built in total. This is the basic version armed with two 7.92mm MG-34’s. The vehicle reached a maximum speed of 50km/h and had a range of 300km. It was able to carry 12 Panzer grenadiers.

Source: Zvezda website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

  • Hobbymesse 2014