I am planning to build a model of the Sd.Kfz.9 Famo with Sd.Ah 116 tank-transporter trailer. I note that the trailer has a raised compartment at the rear (apparently for the trailer steersman). This appears to be a permanent fixture, so how are disabled tanks transferred to the trailer, as there seem to be no ramps?

The rear end/bogie was removable














Sort of similar to the modern lowboy trailers with detachable goose necks

Robin,
I see ... presumably, the rear bogie unit was then re-connected to the trailer via a winch (as is what appears to be happening in the first of your photographs).

I think that the only realistic method to lift the rear end of the platform up to be able to connect it with the rear bogie unit would be winches. The Germans had that solution with the "small" two axle trailers for light AA-guns.
The process was presumably to manhandle the bogie unit into an approximate position and then use winches to lift the platform.
/ Robin

Hi.
3 more pictures to show how it works:


Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Robert,

Kudos for the first picture!

Yeah I was really fascinated by that one. Talking about a chain.
Question: does this Famo & Sd.Ah.116 come with the Spade for the Famo? Or do I have to search in aftermarket wonderland?

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

The two 1/35 FAMO kits (single + FAMO with trailer) made by Tamiya do NOT include the spade.

There used to be this set, 35243, but I don't know if it is still available or if it needed some corrections ...


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Tamiya+35243&_sacat=220

/ Robin

I read somewhere that the SdKfz.9 could not have the earth anchor and also tow the trailer.

Thanks for the link Robin, purchased one, free shipping from Hong Kong, damn good price.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Great series of pictures guys. Really informative stuff

I see no reason why the Famo with spade could not physically pull the trailer at the same time but it simply seems to have never been done.

However the legs of the spade MIGHT limit/interfere the swing of the trailer tongue in tight turning situations on uneven ground.

Much reference on the Famo spade as well as many photos of the trailer can be found right here on the Armorama site at:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/275299&page=1

The Tamiya spade after market kit is incomplete in itself. I scratch built the cable tower that should appear installed in the end of the Famo loadbox.

It was fun project and not too difficult!


(I am still working on my Famo, so for now I am using the removable pulley and sleeve shown here on the cable tower. This allows me to still remove the loadbox body if necessary. One of my last acts building the model will be to replace that upper pulley with the correct cantilevered pulley as seen in the drawings two frames above this one.)

A FULL after market kit of the Famo spade was produced by DES but I suspect it would be extremely difficult for find this item today.

The Tamiya spade kit SHOULD still be able to be found at some local hobby shops and online, especially on eBay. I have purchased 5 or 6 of these accessory kits down through the years, sometimes just to get the beautiful pulleys and sleeves offered with the spade in order to use them on other projects.



p.s. The blade was usually removed from the rest of the spade structure and placed in the loadbox while on the march. It is fairly easy to make the blade on the Tamiya item fit snugly enough to be removable when desired.

To reemphase: I again suggest you check out the following link for more information:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/275299&page=1

Here is an alternate idea for an aftermarket item to install on the Famo. IBG is offering this crane on one of their smaller model trucks. (I may need to build a second Famo!)


(Photo thanks to Henri-Pierre)

Here's another view of the small crane fitted to the Famo :



On a side note Mike I believe I'm not the one to be thanked for the picture in your last post (but maybe I'm wrong )

H.P.

No Frenchy, I rechecked. The source was you on those crane photographs so I guess you are just stuck with my thanks.

Here is another one you posted:

Always looking for more details to add:

In Frenchy's first photo of this diminutive little Bilstein crane notice the narrow folding ladder/steps mounted to the inside of the tailgate. (not included in the 1/35th Famo kit.)

And in the next photo the divisional marks that appear lightly in the photo painted on the outside of the tailgate. (Also the electric cables running down the rear fenders to the taillights.)

So I was wrong indeed . Maybe my memory is not as good as it used to be (I've just turned 55 today )

H.P.

I am ahead of you by 2.5 months

Someone did some thinking when they stuck that crane on the FAMO, the crank handles for the crane winches have been moved outside of the loadbed sides.

So a Happy Birthday to you H.P.
Enjoy!

Kind regards,

Robert Jan

Well, Happy Birthday then!

Thanks guys, but I guess we should stay focused on the thread topic

H.P.