¹⁄35

Bronco will release a new version of the Krupp Protze, the Radio command Car.

The L2.H43 "Krupp Protze" was a 6x4 German military truck developed in the early 1930's and was in production from 1933 to 1936.

The truck weighed 2.5 tons and was powered by a 55bhp Krupp Boxer 3.3 litre engine, road range was 450 kilometers. It had a payload capacity of 1 ton and was admired for its good performance both on and off road.

The L2.H143 model (1936) was slightly longer and powered by a 60bhp engine. The primary function was as an artillery tractor for the 3.7cm Pak .36 anti tank gun or as personnel carriers.
But other variants were built including the Kfz.19 Telephone truck, which was designed as a front line communications vehicle. It features a large enclosed "office" body with provision for mast or cage antenna's, depending on the radio sets fitted. These provided communication with other army units as well as Luftwaffe control centers.

Good communications were the key to the success of Blitzkrieg war and these and other vehicles were issued to Divisional and Corps commanders in the field. They were used on all fronts until the end of the war in 1945. The Protze
was replaced by more fuel efficient and cheaper to manufacture trucks from early 1942, total production run was 7,000 vehicles.

Note: despite the poster, the kit is said to be 1/35.