Dragon 6684 RSO/03 Artillery Tractor

Dragon: RSO/03 Artillery Tractor Major News update.

Dragon has followed up its earlier RSO kit mounting a PaK 40 gun with a 1/35 scale kit of the RSO/03. The only elements borrowed from the earlier kit are the chassis and running gear. Other parts such as the distinctive cab and cargo bed are completely new toolings in keeping with the redesigned RSO/03. Brand new, too, is the Deutz engine. To add to the appeal of this sharply detailed kit, it comes with Dragon’s acclaimed 5cm PaK 38 antitank cannon. This set thus creates a duo that was commonly seen on battlefields on the Eastern Front as antitank weapons and supplies were ferried to the places they were needed most. For an instant diorama in a muddy and snowy scene, this kit offers the perfect combination of pulling power and firepower!

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.

Features:
- Newly tooled engine and transmission
- Side panel’s and tailgate of brand new cargo deck can be shown folded up or down
- Newly made engine components including oil sump
- New assembly for delicately detailed road wheels
- Accurate new gearbox included
- Accurate chassis molded w/new details
- Option of stowing spare Winterketten tracks w/detailed tread pattern on side panels
- Driver’s door can be assembled open/closed
- Sprockets and idlers w/correct details
- Detailed levers and pedals for driver’s compartment
- Intricate windshield nade from clear parts
- Breech replicates the real one
- Accurate bolted-on tow hooks
- Muffler w/exhaust pipe accurately produced
- Gun can elevate to different angles
- Muzzle brake w/fine detail
- Gun shield is true to scale
- Intricate Magic Tracks included

Link to Pre-Order here.