Panzerserra Bunker- Military Scale Models in 1/35 scale: fevereiro 2013

Tankers... I built this awesome tractor in 2010...

But, one moment, please !!! This is not the building of plastic kit from Riich Models, but the resin kit from ADV Azimut.

ADV Azimut resin kit

As usual, first of all, let's know the history of this weird vehicle.

Skoda Radschlepper Ost Porsche Typ 175

History:

The German Army was almost totally unprepared for the climatic conditions found on the Russian Steppes after the 1941 invasion. For much of the year the land was covered in ice and snow, or the ground was churned to deep mud. To cope with these conditions the German Army requested new vehicles, and the Radscshlepper Ost (Wheeled tractor - East) was on of the designs submitted. It was a large wheeled tractor designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche as the Type 175, pilot vehicles being ready by late 1942.

Suspension and transmission in a Factory Model

Skoda Ost transmission

Production was undertaken by Skoda in Czechoslovakia and an order was placed for 200 vehicles. The Radschlepper Ost used large diameter steel wheels, commonly used on farm tractors of the period, which reduced the speed to only 15 km/h. In service the performance did not meet expectations.

Presentation of Radschlepper to Hitler in January, 04 -1943

The vehicle was initially rejected though Hitler is reported to have ordered 200 built anyway. Production ceased at 100 though and few or none served on the Ost front (the front it was designed for), several in the 1944 Ardennes Offensive. The all-steel wheels would have made for a very uncomfortable ride and it performed poorly on icy roads.

Skoda Ost lost in Ardennes

Skoda Ost in Fance - 1944

The RSO weighed 7 tonnes and was powered by a 90 bhp Skoda 4 cylinder OHV engine.

Skoda engine - notice the characteristics of being air cooled

Skoda 4 cylinder OHV gasoline air cooled engine in the tractor snout

Road range was about 125 kilometres and a crew of three men was normally carried. There where versions with solid, perforated and spoked wheels.

font: http://www.achtungpanzer.com

Skoda Ost with solid wheels

Skoda Ost with perforated wheels

Skoda Ost with spoked wheels

Specs:

Skoda Radschlepper Ost Porsche Typ 175

Type	Wheeled artillery tractor 4x4
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	1943-1945
Used by	Germany in WW II

Production history
Designed	1941
Produced	1942-43
Number built	100
Specifications
Weight	7.000 Kg
Length	6,22 m
Width	2,30 m
Height	3,065 m
Crew	3

Engine	Skoda OHV gasoline - 4-cylinder - 6024 cc - 90hp at 2000 RPM - air cooled

Transmission	Porsche, mechanical, 5 ahead x 1 rear
Suspension	elliptic springs in rigid axles
Fuel capacity-range	250 l / 125 Km
Speed	15 Km/h

The kit:

The robust and spartan box kit:

The parts, after clean...

I started the building by the cabin. painting the interior...

Notice the instruments panel (painted by brush)

...and the seat.

And while the cabin dry, I dedicated myself to building the chassis. The instructions are confused and incomplete ...Good thing there are references available!!

This photo with the details of the belly of the tractor is pure gold!!

The chassis kit, in its early stages of construction:

Some scratch, to enhance the details

Building (and scratching...) the winch...

Steel cable in close...

The girl, on own paws ....

Belly view !!!

Adding details in metal and plastic...

Honestly, I was a little disappointed with this kit. The Azimut products are so prestigious and famous, but this is pretty simple ... Gluing the body to the chassis;