German Radio Communication Truck, Krupp L3H 163 (ICM)

This is the ICM 35462 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Radio Communication Truck, Krupp L3H 163’.

German Radio Communication Truck, Krupp L3H 163

The once more improved model Krupp L3H 163 – which was propelled by the strengthened M 12 engine with 110 HP – was manufactured from 1936 to 1938.

Typical for the Funkbetriebskraftwagen – radio operating motor vehicle (Kfz.72) were the two windows on both sides of the box body and two radio masts on the rear of the box body.

Two Auffahrbohlen – supporting planks – were mounted on the left side of the box body while the eight rods of the 10m Steckmast – radio mast – were stored in special mountings on the right side.

Source: Kfz der Whermacht website

Manufacturer

German Truck, Krupp L3H 163 (ICM)

This is the ICM 35461 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Truck, Krupp L3H 163’.

German Truck, Krupp L3H 163

The once more improved model Krupp L3H 163 – which was propelled by the strengthened M 12 engine with 110 HP – was manufactured from 1936 to 1938.

Besides the stronger engine, the Krupp L3H 163 had the Knorr pneumatic braking system as standard, an improved shifting gear and improved wheel suspensions.

The most striking new feature was the new bumper made of angled steel sections which replaced the different bumpers made of steel tubes. During serial production, the Simplex rims were replaced by new developed Trilex rims.

Source: Kfz der Whermacht website

Manufacturer

German VK4502 (P) – Hintern (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 82445 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German VK4502 (P) Hintern’.

German VK4502 (P) Hintern

History

The Porsche Type-180 design – Designated VK 45.02 (P) – was based on the earlier VK 45.02 (P) design but mounting the 8.8cm L/71 gun on a much modified hull. Two versions were proposed, with turrets to the front (Vorne), or to the rear (Hinten), however only the former was proceeded and the construction of three prototypes was underway by February 1943.

The turret and guns were designed by Krupp, the distinctively shaped ‘P2-Turm’ turrets which were designed for these ve1hicles have since been called ‘Porsche’ turrets. As production of these had already started the first 50 KingTiger were fitted with these.

Unfortunately the large armoured ‘lip’ surrounding the turret ring on the Type-180 was not a feature of the Henschel design and resulted in a major shot trap below the mantlet. All later production King Tiger vehicles used the H3-Turm turret, commonly know as the ‘Henschet’ turret.

It seems that one of the Porsche Type-180 vehicles may have been in operation since a Porsche Tiger with an 8.8cm L/71 gun is listed as part of the Panzer Kompanie Kummersdorf on March 1945. Virtually all operational Tiger II tanks, and prototypes were used at the end of the war.

Source: HobbyBoss website

Manufacturer

German Krupp/Ardelt Waffenträger 105mm leFH-18 (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 01586 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Krupp/Ardelt Waffenträger 105mm leFH-18’.

German Krupp/Ardelt Waffenträger 105mm leFH-18

History

Towards the last months of WWII the Ardelt/Krupp designteam concepted the leichter Einheitswaffenträger 10.5cm IFH, which based on chassis components already used in the Hetzer and 38 D vehicle series with the aircooled V 12 Tatra Diesel engine. As only a minimum of protection was intended, the weight could be limited to 15 tons to give a higher mobility.

Till end of the war only few prototypes were built.

Source: Trumpeter website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

  • Hobbymesse 2015

German Krupp Steyr Waffenträger (Trumpeter)

This is the Trumpeter 01598 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Krupp Steyr Waffenträger’.

German Krupp Steyr Waffenträger

History

On 19 April 1944 Krupp representatives visited Ardeltwerke in Eberwalde to discuss the design of the 8.8cm 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, completed by 15 January 1945.

During the meeting on development and production on 9 January 1945, the status of the Waffenträger 8.8cm 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 12.8 cm PAK 44 Waffenträger, Krupp 1 (Trumpeter)

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 Einheits-Waffenträger 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

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German 8.8 cm PAK-43 Waffenträger (Trumpeter)

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 6×4 Truck, Krupp Protze, Personnel Carrier (Tamiya)

This is the Tamiya 35 317-2000 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German 6×4 Truck, Krupp Protze, Personnel Carrier’.

German 6x4 Truck, Krupp Protze, Personnel Carrier

History

German’s Early-WWII Best Partner – The Sd.Kfz.70 was widely used by the German Army to transport troops and supplies during the early stages of the WWII.

It featured a sloped hood that housed a compact air-cooled inline 4-cylinder engine as well as rear double wishbone independent suspension which offered a superb off-road capability. The large cargo area was fitted with bench seats.

The Sd.Kfz.70s were produced from 1993 to 1942 and were widely deployed with infantry units, etc. Many of them deployed to frontlines were equipped with a tripod-mounted MG34 machine gun.

Source: Tamiya website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

  • Hobbymesse 2012