The Eastern Front presented many difficulties during WWII, one of which was the harsh weather. With few well-paved roads available, rain and snow could render the terrain almost impassable, as Germany found out during their first winter in 1941-42. For such difficult conditions, Germany realized it needed special tracked vehicles to traverse Russia’s roads and countryside. One solution offered up was the Raupenschlepper Ost (literally “Caterpillar Tractor East”, or “RSO” for short). The RSO, based on the Steyr 1500A light truck, was initially conceived as a prime mover and tractor for towing artillery pieces, although it was eventually put to many uses. The fully tracked vehicle performed very well in the muddy conditions, and various manufacturers eventually produced 23,000 vehicles before the war ended. The RSO/03 was a later-production variant that had a simple metal cab with a soft-top roof. It was powered to a top speed of 30km/h by a Deutz diesel engine. A pintle was fitted at the rear for towing artillery pieces.

The RSO may have been inspired by very similar full-tracked small tractors in use in other armies, mostly originated from the pre-war light to medium series of Vickers artillery tractors.

The 5 cm PaK 38 (L/60) (5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60)) was a German anti-tank gun of 50 mm calibre. It was developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig AG as a successor to the 37 mm PaK 36, and was in turn followed by the 75 mm PaK 40.

Dragon has done RSO kits before. This one is a later version and so has a few upgraded parts compared to earlier kits. It also includes the PaK 38 anti-tank gun, which adds some additional value to the boxing. As part of their Smart Kit series, this one has individual track links. Since the track is somewhat 'loose' on the vehicle, this is a perfect way to replicate the sag that is required.

Another neat feature is that this kit has a full engine. While not a large vehicle, this kit is packed with detail. For instance, the rear cover frame work can be one of wood or metal and apparently there is a folded option as well. Some of the other features are listed below.

A set of generic markings are provided and there are six painting options available for the RSO itself as well as three for the PaK 38. These include an unidentified Volksgrenadier unit in the East in Fall of 1944, a white painted unidentified unit's vehicle also from late 1944. A Free French Army version in France during 1944, a 21 Pz Div vehicle at Normandy in 1944 with green and brown stripes and another from that unit with mottles. Finally an unidentified Western Front vehicle is green and brown splotches.

If you have been awaiting one of these to come around again, you now have that opportunity to pick up this interesting vehicle and get a great anti-tank gun model as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raupenschlepper,_Ost

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PaK_38

September 2011

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