1:35 10.5cm leFH 18/4 auf Geschutzwagen Lr.s.f (Becker) [2 in 1]

Self-propelled howitzer on a captured chassis, 1:35 scale

A kit of the German improvised self-propelled gun that came about by combining a light field howitzer of 10.5 cm caliber with a captured French tracked chassis. According to the manufacturer the set has riveted construction with faithfully rendered rivets across the whole surface, a one-piece fighting compartment with a well worked-out interior, thin side armor matching the real thickness, and workable tracks built up from individual links, with assembly jigs included for putting them together accurately. The number of parts is fairly small, so the build is not as demanding as one might expect from such a subject.

The real subject

After the defeat of France a large amount of captured equipment remained in German hands, and there was no sense in throwing it away, nor in using it in its original form. A group led by an officer named Becker therefore built improvised self-propelled guns from French tracked tractors and artillery barrels. An open armored superstructure was built onto the chassis and a howitzer was mounted in it. The result was a family of vehicles that were neither handsome nor uniform, but were available at once and proved themselves in the field.

Building and painting tips

Finish and paint the inside of the fighting compartment before you fit the armored walls, because the open superstructure is clearly visible. Assemble the track links using the supplied jigs and only then join them together. Do not paint the riveted surface with a thick coat, as it would clog the detail. After painting, weather it with a wash that settles into the riveting and emphasizes it.

Who the model is for

• For modelers of German Second World War equipment.
• For anyone interested in captured and improvised vehicles.
• For those who want a model with a well worked-out superstructure interior.

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.