Sunday, June 12, 2011 - 01:20 PM UTC
DML are looking after fans of WW2 on the Eastern Front with the announcement of a RSO 03 artillery tractor.
The RSO, or to give it its full name, Raupenschlepper Ost, was a fully tracked artillery tractor developed in response to the poor performance of wheeled and half tracked vehicles in the snow and mud of the Eastern Front.

The name translates as "Caterpillar Tractor East", and was originally developed by Steyr in 1942. However, shortly after reaching the front, the vehicle became so popular that it was pressed into service in a variety of role in addition to the artillery tractor role for which it was originally developed.

Power was provided by a 3.5 litre V8 petrol or 5.5 litre diesel engine, giving a top speed of around 30 km/hr (18 mph for you non-metric types!). The RSO usually had a crew of two, and some 23,000 were produced by several firms before the end of the war.

DML have now utilised some of the sprues for their kit of the RSO mounting a Pak 40 and produced this kit. Only the chassis and running gear is carried over from the previous kit - all the other parts are new mouldings.

Included in this kit are the following features:

- Deutz 5.5 litre diesel engine and transmission
- Side panels and tailgate can be folded up or down
- New gearbox and accurate chassis
- Spare tracks provided for stowing on side panels
- Fully detailed driver's compartment
- Clear windshield
- Magic tracks

As a bonus, DML have included a kit of their previously released 5cm Pak 38 anti-tank gun, which should just about make this a diorama in a box - well worth waiting for.
Click Star to Rate
3 readers have rated this story.
Get a daily email with links to all our latest news, reviews, and features.

Comments

Very interesting Rob. I'm curious to see if they mount the Pak 38 on it or if it will be towed. Thanks for the news Rob.
JUN 12, 2011 - 01:35 PM
Now this is more along the lines of what I've been waiting for in Dragon's RSO department. Just wish they would come out with a steel cab RSO/01. Smart move on Dragon's part to include the engine and transmission. I will be getting this one. Brian, I'm sure that it will be towed.
JUN 12, 2011 - 01:50 PM
Brian It's towed. Regards Rob
JUN 12, 2011 - 02:02 PM
oh! so many great models to build and only one life to build them in...... this may find it's way into the stash....... Jason
JUN 13, 2011 - 01:57 AM
Quote " Only the chassis and running gear is carried over from the previous kit" That's a shame. Should have used this opportunity to correct the running gear. The profile is wrong along with the centre hub detail. Still there's always the recently released replacements from 1120. http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/k59/z05.html Alan
JUN 13, 2011 - 02:25 AM
Alan For what it is worth I have been informed that the wheels have been re-tooled. Mrosko
JUN 13, 2011 - 04:19 AM
Hi Chris Thanks for the info. Great news, now all we need is my favourite announced ....the RS0/01 . Alan
JUN 13, 2011 - 04:30 AM
THIS STORY HAS BEEN READ 8,013 TIMES.
ADVERTISEMENT

Photos
Click image to enlarge
  • move
Dragon Models ReviewsMORE
Panzer IV Ausf G. In-Box Review
by Cody K
Bergepanther mit Aufgesetztem Built Review
by Andrew Jerome
IJA Type 97 In-Box Review
by Russ Amott
M3 Halftrack Built Review
by Pete Becerra | of 2 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Sd.Kfz 251/1D Built Review
by Jesse
IDF Magach 3 w/ ERA In-Box Review
by Sebastian Schoof
StuG.III Ausf.F Built Review
by Matthew Lenton
M67A2 In-Box Review
by Federico Collada
King Tiger with Zimmerit 1/35t Built Review
by Karl Flavell
Sdkfz 250/4 mit zwilling MG34 In-Box Review
by Karl Flavell
M752 LANCE Missile Launcher In-Box Review
by Jon Arnold
Sd.Kfz 250/7 In-Box Review
by DJ Judge
T54E1 Build In-Box Review
by Shawn | of 1 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Vollkettenaufklärer 38(t) Built Review
by Talal Mashtoub
Jagdpanzer IV A-0 Built Review
by Adam Mann

ADVERTISEMENT