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Faun L900 and Trailer

The FAuN (Fahrzeugfabriken Augsburg und Nürnberg) L900 was introduced into service in the German Army in the late 1930’s and intended for transportation of the light tanks in the tank battalions of the three light divisions that were under control of the Cavalry Branch. Coupled with a special-purpose trailer (Sonderanhänger 115), it could haul two light tanks at a time. Doctrinally, the transporters were to be used to take armored vehicles near the front lines, where they would unload and advance under their own power into combat. The concept was tested in Poland in 1939, with disappointing results. Subsequently, the light tank battalions formed either the nucleus of future tank regiments or were consolidated with existing ones. The transporter went on to serve throughout the war in a variety of roles requiring long-haul cargo capacity.

The vignette represents tanks from one of the light tank battalions at the Grafenwöhr Training Area, sometime in 1938. As befits any tanker who has experienced the dusty tank trails there, the vehicles have a healthy coating of “Graf dust.” The crews are seen during a break. They wear the special-purpose black uniform for armored personnel, along with the beret, which was worn until 1940. Some personnel wear overseas caps, which were still field-grey in color at this time.

There are few images of the L900 in service with the light divisions. As a result, some artistic license was applied, since it is not certain how the tanks of the light battalions were marked. In addition, I have not been able to find any references detailing how blocking, bracing and tie-down equipment was used to secured the tanks. The kit provides no instruction in this regard. The securing of the Panzerbefehlswagen I was based on an image of a Panzer I being secured to the trailer with the heavy chains used (which I fabricated out of jewelry chain).

The models used were the L900 and Sonderanhänger 115 by Das Werk Models, the Panzerbefehlswagen I by Dragon and the Panzer II, Ausführung D, by Bronco. The figures come from a variety of sources. Construction was relatively straightforward and essentially out of the box. Despite its large size, the L900 and trailer went together easily, although it would have been nicer if blocking, bracing and tie-down equipment had been provided. I am not sure if the Dragon model is completely accurate, since I was unable to find a photo of this particular bedframe antenna being mounted this way. (There are images of the bedframe image being mounted the opposite way, both in a prewar image and several images from the early campaign in the Soviet Union.)

The models were painted using primarily Vallejo, MIG and AK paints and weathering agents, with some model railroad weathering products also used. All of the motorized vehicles are painting in prewar two-tone camouflage (2/3’s Panzer grey and 1/3 dark brown). The base was formed using plaster cloth, some Vallejo ground texture and wargaming static grass and flowers.