Meine Freunde und Kollegen!!!
Another rare vehicle, another history... This time, it's a kit from 2008...
The might 10.5cm leFH 18/3 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen B2(f). A German SPG derived from Char B2 captured.
My Finnish friend Maximex will love this model review...
Iso halaus, ystäväni!
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 in the Rheinmetall-Borsig factory |
In accordance with a directive from Hitler in March 1941, self-propelled artillery pieces mounted on the Pz.Kpfw.B2(f) chassis were to be created for the purpose of escorting the Flammenwerfer auf Pz.Kpfw.B2(f) (flamethrowers installed in the captured French Renault Char B1bis chassis).
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| Flammenwerfer auf Pz.Kpfw.B2(f) |
In 6 gave the Waffenamt authorization to proceed with the design on 28 May 1941, after which the Waffenamt selected Rheinmetall-Borsig of Duesseldorf to create the detailed design for the self-propelled mount. A single experimental piece in soft steel was to have been completed in June 1941.
The Flammenwerfer auf Pz.Kpfw.B2(f) went into action against Russian positions in June 1941 without any escorting self-propelled artillery. Due to the mechanical unreliability of the Renault B2 chassis, the unit (Panzer-Abteilung (Flamm) 103) was disbanded by mid-July 1941, long before any of the 16 self-propelled guns were actually produced.
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| One 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 protected by tarp |
On 5 January 1942 the Waffenamt planned to produce the single series of 16 le.F.H.18 auf Pz.Kpfw.B2(f) at the rate of five in January, five in February, and six in March 1942.
The machines were designated alphabetically in capital letters (A - P).
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| Four 10.5cm leFH 18/3 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen B2(f) in railcars, sending to combat... |
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| Two 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 - 'H' moving to action... |
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| The 10.5cm leFH 18/3 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen B2(f) and his crew. Notice the big wood crate,in his back. |
These were subsequently issued to the I.Abteilung/Artillerie-Regiment 93 of the 26.Panzer-Division, which was to be formed with three batteries each with four le.F.H.18 (SfI) in accordance with orders dated 22 September 1942.
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| The SPG with his troops |
As recorded in a strength report dated 31 May 1943, this unit still had fifteen 10.5 cm le.F.H. auf Fgst.Pz. Renault B2, of which 14 were operational.
By this time, 12 "Wespe" had already been issued to the I.Abt./ArtI.Rgt.93 as replacements for the le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2.
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| 10.5cm leFH 18/3 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen B2(f) being prepared for transport |
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| The 10.5cm leFH 18/3 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen B2(f) vehicle "D" in the field. |
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| Wespe SPG |
Orders were issued to transfer the G.W.B2 to the 90.Panzer-Grenadier-Division on Sardinia, but it has not been determined whether this order was carried out or what was the ultimate fate of these self-propelled guns. Unfortunately, none of these vehicles survived after the war
Specs:
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| Based on a George Bradford drawiing |
Vehicle:
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10,5cm le.F.H.18/3
(Sf.) auf G.W.B2
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Category:
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medium self-propelled howitzer
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Producer:
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Rheinmetall Borsig, Düseldorf
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Production Period:
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1942
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Number of Produced:
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16
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Prototype Built:
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1942
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Crew:
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5
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Technical Data:
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Combat Weight:
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32500 kg
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Overall Length:
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7620 mm
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Overall Width:
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2400 mm
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Overall Height:
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3000 mm
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Ground Clearance:
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490 mm
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Propulsion:
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Type:
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water cooled, 6-cylinder
Renault 307 (16,5 liter gasoline)
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Power:
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295.8 bhp at 1900 rpm
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Transmission:
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5+R
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Performance:
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Road Speed:
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25 km/h
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Cross-country Speed:
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? km/h
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Cruising Range on Road:
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140 km
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Cross-country Cruising Range:
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100 km
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Obstacles Crossing:
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Gradient:
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26 °
58 %
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Trench Crossing:
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2,75 m
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Vertical Obstacle:
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0,8 m
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Fording Depth:
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0,72 m
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Armament:
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Main:
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10,5cm le.F.H.18/3
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Secondary:
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2 x sub-machine gun MP 38/40 (384
rounds)
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Armor:
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chassis:
- front 40-60 mm
- sides and rear 55 mm
superstructure:
- front 30-40 mm
- sides 20-30 mm
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The kits:
I used these two kits in my 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 project:
I used these two kits in my 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 project:
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| 10.5cm LeFH18/3 auf B2 resin conversion kit - Azimut |
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| Tamiya's B1 bis french battle tank |
The Tamiya´s kit is a superb kit, a pleasure to build...
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| Wheels and suspension... |
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| Building the lower hull... |
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| Plastic surgery: opening the upper hull top... |
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| ..and the front sponsons... |
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| Internal view... |
The Tamiya Char B1 shows the absence of many rivets ...
I´m extremely lazy and I thought about using the rivet-decal of Archer in the track sponsons, but they would be very shallow:
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| Decal rivets from Archer: Not good for the sponsons... |
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| ...but ideal for the hull. Archer rules !!! |
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| Using the kit's photo-etched: Howitzer shield... |
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| Internal view: notice the resin parts... |
The gun is organic in the Azimut´s conversion kit . From AFV Club !!!
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| The 10,5 cm howitzer injected, with metal gun barrel and resin muzzle brake. |
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| The rear view of 10,5cm le.F.H.18/3 howitzer |
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| The beast is growing....Notice the details in plasticard, metal and resin... |
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| The interior is poor... |
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| Close up of the carrier front |
Now is time to build the superstructure of the battle station: Weld and cyanoacrylate...
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| Beautiful ugly beast ! |
The track links from tamiya are sweet...And notice that I hate LBL tracks ... But these are calm to build. just one click ...
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| Almost ready... |
And the Big girl was ready... Sorry I do not display all photographs of the paint job, but my camera swallowed them ...
So, this is my 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 from I. Abteilung Artillerie-Regiment 93, 26. Panzer Division - France, Amiens sector, April 1943. Vehicle 'B'.
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 from I. Abteilung Artillerie-Regiment 93, 26. Panzer Division |
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 - left side |
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 - rear view |
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 - right side |
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 - with Kojak |
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 - with Kojak and Rover (the dog...) |
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| 10.5cm le.F.H.18/3 (Sf.) auf G.W.B2 - B&W pic. |
Au Revoir and Auf Wiedersehen !!!
Good Evening
ResponderExcluirThank you for your friend.
Your Text will bring the heat here in Brazil, far to the north.
I thought, maybe this is a rare model of interest to you, too.
The first night the weather 25 to 30 frost, because ;) the spring has begun.
What do you think of the following may be of interest to you.
O-I tank
CHI-RI
FCM-F1
Type -95
Type 98 HA-GO
Landswerk anti-aircraft tank.
Skoda tnhp
Carro Armato
Hyvää yötä.
Wow...long list !!!
ResponderExcluirStay tunned, maximex...and keep the hands and ears heated...
eheheheheheheheh
big hug !!!
hello this is a french kit !!!
ResponderExcluirhubert
Indeed, Hubert...but the Krauts captured the tank..... and turned it into a German weapon.
ResponderExcluirTherefore, the pin-up is German!!!
Keep'n touch...
Soon, a french girl !!!!
Hello.
ResponderExcluirFrench girl ...
Interesting.
Cute, I think
Interesting to see who might this girl there ...
My oldest son-in-law is French.
His model hobby (of course) Napoleon wars
What do you think if the two little boys.
Type 2 KA-Mi
Type 5 TO-KU
Nice suggestions, Maximex...annotated !!!
ResponderExcluirIn my wishlist...
Big hug to you and the to your son-in-law !!!!!
Vive le France !!!
Another excellent build of a rare type! :)
ResponderExcluirthanks, Ajay !!!
ResponderExcluir