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Let's know a robust tractor was fought on all fronts of WWII, pulling loads and weapons for the Germans. This powerful vehicle continued in production after the end of the war, supplying the civilian market in the reconstruction of Europe and for the French Army. Gentlemen, with you the Hanomag SS100 4x2 heavy road tractor, deservedly denominated Gigant.
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| Hanomag SS100 4x2 heavy road tractor - 2-door version |
Hanomag (Hannoversche Maschinenbau AG) was a German producer of steam locomotives, tractors, trucks and military vehicles in Hanover. Hanomag first achieved international fame by delivering a large number of steam locomotives to Finland, Romania and Bulgaria before World War I. In 1925 they added automobiles to their line, additionally moving in 1931 into the production of construction machinery. Since 1989, the company has been part of the Komatsu company.
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| Hanomag logo - 1931 |
The company dates back to 1835 when Georg Egestorff founded in Linden near Hanover a company called Eisen-Giesserey und Maschinenfabrik.
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| Georg Egestorff * 7. Februar 1802 - † 27. Mai 1868 |
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| "Ernst August" Locomotive |
By 1870 they had made 500 locomotives and in 1871 changed their name to Hannoversche Maschinenbau Actien-Gesellschaft vorm. Georg Egestorff, Linden vor Hannover. Road vehicles followed when in 1905 they received a contract for steam waggons for the German army. Petrol engined vehicles followed in 1912 with a line of farm tractors.
Cars:
By the 1920s, the market for steam road vehicles was in terminal decline, and Hanomag looked to cars as the future, particularly economy models. In 1925, they launched the Hanomag 2/10, a 370 kg open two-seater with a rear-mounted 500cc single-cylinder water-cooled engine. Named Zweisitzer Limousine (two-seat limousine) by the company, its rounded front and rear gained it the nickname Kommissbrot for its resemblance to a loaf of Army bread. Although made in large numbers, 15,775 in total, it did not make much money for the company and in the late 1920s the railway locomotive division was sold to Henschel & Son of Kassel.
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| Hanomag 2-10 Cabriolet - 1925 |
A more conventional car, the 3/16 PS, and the first diesel engined tractors, came in 1928, taking the company back into profit. Hanomag were badly hurt by the drop in trade in 1929 and built a large stock of unsold vehicles.
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| Hanomag 3-16 PS - 1928 |
Things improved in 1930 and the company got 14 per cent of the domestic car market, second place behind Opel, but in 1931 a new crisis came when the banks called a loan. The factory was mortgaged to Hannover City and the Vereinigte Stahlwerke trust and the company relaunched as Hanomag Automobil und Schlepperbau GmbH.
For 1932, a new small car, the 1.1 Litre, renamed the Garant in 1934, was announced and sold well allowing two shift working to be introduced and it was joined by the larger 1.5 litre Rekord (a name later used by Opel) in 1933 with independent front suspension. A diesel Hanomag Rekord was shown at the 1936 Berlin Motor Show.
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| Hanomag Rekord 1936 Notice the style Hanomag in the cooling fins of the engine hood. |
Military vehicles
During the World War II, the Hanomag car plant made many military vehicles in a big war effort, such as:
SS-55 - The military version of the civil road tractor 4x2 SS-55, equiped with 4-cyl. 55hp 5195cc Diesel engine,with towing capacity of 15 tons. (1933-1943). Where built 2-doors versions and 4-doors version.
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| Brand new civil version of Hanomag S-55 4x2 tractor - 2-doors version |
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| Hanomag S-55 4x2 tractor - 2-doors version |
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| Hanomag S-554x2 tractor - 2-doors version (Luftwaffe) towing two 1000 kg SC 1000 aerial bombs mounted on sleds. (photo sent by friend Fernando Estanislau - Thanks a lot, man!) |
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| Hanomag S-55 4x2 tractor - 4-doors version - Luftwaffe |
SS-100 - The military version of the 4x2 road heavy tractor Gigant SS-100, equiped with 6-cyl. 100hp 8553cc Diesel engine, with towing capacity of 20 tons. (1936-1944). Were built versions with 2 and 4 doors.
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| Hanomag Gigant SS100 4x2 heavy tractor - 2-doors version |
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| Hanomag Gigant SS100 4x2 heavy tractor - 4-doors version |
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| Hanomag's poster |
SdKfz 251 - The typical german half track armoured personel carrier.
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| Hanomag SdKfz 251 Ausf A - early version |
Hanomag 20 B - The 4-wheel-drive Small Unit-Personnel Carrier was produced 1937-1940 (ca. 2000) under the parentage of Stoewer (as the R180, R200 and Type 40). Capacity problems by Stoewer resulted in co-production by both BMW (as the 325) and Hanomag. Together the three manufacturers made ca. 10.000 units. The special 4-wheel-steering system was fitted on most models. Operating a "lock-level" between the front seats made the steerable rear axle turn sideways to a certain angle.
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| Hanomag 20B 4x4 - 4-wheel-steering - restored |
The single most important and iconic military vehicle to be designed and built by Hanomag during World War II was the Sd.Kfz. 251 half-track (commonly called simply "the Hanomag") with a total production numbering just over 15,000. Built to protect and transport the Panzergrenadier mechanized infantry forces, it was by far the most common German armoured troop-carrying vehicle of WWII, and a direct precursor to the armoured personnel carriers of today. In comparison to the most common Allied half-track of the war, the M3 Half-track, the Sd.KFz 251 was slower and lower-powered but with thicker, sloping side armor that provided better protection; the flat-sided M3 was at one point panned as the "Purple Heart Box" for being unable to stop 7.92mm bullets at close range, while the Hanomag's sloping side armor deflected the .30-caliber bullets of the Allies with no similar issue.
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| Hanomag APC SdKfz 251 Ausf C - Volstad art |
Post war production resumed making trailer units followed by tractors and in 1949 a 1.5 ton truck. Although prototypes were made, no cars were produced postwar. Rudolph Hiller, who had been president of Phänomen trucks, joined the board and restructured the company by arranging for it to join the Rheinstahl consortium in 1952.
Merge & Split:
In 1964, Rheinstahl took over Henschel-Werke and in a reverse of history the company was merged with Hanomag. The farm tractor operation was sold to Massey Ferguson and in 1969 the truck making division of Hanomag-Henschel went to Daimler Benz, leaving the Hanover works making earth-moving machinery for Massey Ferguson. In 1989, the world's second largest construction machine manufacturer, Komatsu, bought a share of Hanomag AG and since 2002 Komatsu Hanomag GmbH has been a 100% subsidiary of the global company. In Hanover, the company is producing wheel loaders ranging from 54 to 353 hp (263 kW) and since 2005 also has been producing wheeled excavators from 14 to 22 tons. Thanks to the European Technical Center (EUTC), these correspond to the latest state of technology. In Hanover, the company develops construction machines which meet varied requirements of customers all over Europe as well as for certain products also worldwide.
Hanomag made several models of heavy tractors of which the SS-100 was the best known. It had both a two door and a four-door version.
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| Hanomag SS100 - two-doors version |
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| Hanomag SS100 - four-doors version |
The four-door version has a double cab, which could carry a crew of five or six and the two doors a crew of three. Production of the SS-100 was continued from 1936 to 1944. The basic design continued to be produced after the WWII as the ST100 and ST100W including some of these tractors were used by the French Army.
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| Hanomag ST100 - French Army - Saumur Tank Museum |
The Hanomag road tractors of all sizes were very popular as fairground transport well into the 1960's, because his power, reliability and robustness. In short words, the Hanomag SS-100 tractor was a civilian vehicle that was pressed into military service.
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| A Hanomag Gigant SS100 restored and immaculate, in civil duties. |
Hanomag 4x2 heavy road tractor versions:
See below another fully restored civil Hanomag Gigant SS100. Notice the engine sound...
- SS 100 N - basic model of the new series
- SS 100 LN - delivered with winch and double cabin, several copies for the German Army
- SSA 100 N - Truck Tractor (the A stands for Auflieger), longer but lighter than the tractor, smaller tank
- SS 100 NH - the basic model with wood gas generator (H for Holzgas)
- SS 100 NWH - ditto, in addition winch
- ST 100 - renamed postwar model of SS100N
- ST 100 W - renamed postwar model of SS100LN
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| The Hanomag diesel engine D85S 100 HP/1500 rpm 6 cyl.inline - 8.550cc |
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| SS100 as artillery tractor, towing a 88mm AA/AT gun |
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| SS100 in the Desert, towing a big water tank |
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| SS100 in the Desert, with the crew posing for the photo. |
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| SS100 towing fuel for V2 rockets |
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| SS100 with gasoline trailers |
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| SS100 towing a Me-110 Heavy Fighter - Luftwaffe |
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| SS100 towing a V2 rocket - sketch |
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| Captured position of V2. Notice the two SS100 in position |
At the end of the war, when the fuel was getting awfully scarce, many Hanomags, especially the two-door versions, have been converted to use the gasogene, with the adaptation of Holzgas kits. The S55 and S100 two-doors transformed were very popular
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| S55 with Holzgas kit Drawing of speficitations |
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| S100 two-doors version with Holzgas kit |
These versions had reduced potency compared with the original diesel versions, but provided excellent service in the rear front services. The SS100 version will be represent on our present project. I had the pleasure and privilege to visit Saumur Tank Museum and photographed the SS100 4-door version: Here are some details:
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| S100 - interior colors |
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| Notice the colors... |
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| Panzerserra at Paradise!!! Notice the sadness in the author's face... |
Another version of Hanomag, this one in the post-war, was excavator. Our friend Åsmund Sletten, from the Norwegian Road Museum, sent me pictures of this Hanomag LN 100 which, according to personal citation "...It was left here after the WW2 by the Germans and probably served in an air field somewhere. After the war it was transformed to an excavator and did some work for the road administration. The B/W picture shows how it was after the transformation and before the decay started." Thanks a lot for your care and courtesy, Asmund!!!
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| Hanomag LN100 excavator in his glory days. font: Norwegian Road Museum |
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| Hanomag LN100 excavator today... font: Norwegian Road Museum |
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| Hanomag LN100 excavator today... This brave really deserves a good restoration... It's good to know that this girl is going to be restored ... Go, Norwegians...Go!!! font: Norwegian Road Museum |
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| Hanomag LN100 excavator - identification plate font: Norwegian Road Museum |
| Hanomag SS100 LN 4x2 heavy tractor (4-doors) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Heavy road tractor 4x2 |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1936–1944 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany French Army |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Hanomag |
| Manufacturer Number prod. | Hanomag 1112 (Diesel- all versions) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 6.420 Kg |
| Length | 5.040mm |
| Width | 2.480mm |
| Height | 2.420mm |
| Crew Wheelbase Road clareance Max. towing | Driver+5 3.000mm 220mm 20 ton. |
| Armor | none |
Armament
| none |
| Engine | Hanomag D85S 100 HP/1500 rpm - 6 cyl.inline - Diesel - 8.550cc |
| Cooling system | water |
| Electrical system Suspensions |
Bosch 24 V - battery 150Ah
front/rear: fixed axles- semi-elliptical springs
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Gear box- transmission
Brakes
Tyres
| ZF KB60 - 4 forward + 1 reverse + overdrive air in all wheels 270-20; dual at rear |
| Fuel tank Turn radius Range Speed | 350 lts 5,25m 720 Km (road) 65 km/h (road) |
| Hanomag SS100 NH 4x2 heavy tractor (2-doors) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Heavy road tractor 4x2 |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1941–1945 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Hanomag |
| Manufacturer Number prod. | Hanomag 400 (versions with Holzgas) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 6.470 Kg |
| Length | 5.060mm |
| Width | 2.480mm |
| Height | 2.420mm |
| Crew Wheelbase Road clarean. Max. towing | Driver +2 3.000mm 220mm 20 ton. |
| Armor | none |
Armament
| none |
| Engine | Hanomag D85 80 HP/1500 rpm - 6 cyl.inline - Woodgas- 8.550cc |
| Cooling sys. | water |
| Electrical system Suspensions |
Bosch 24 V - battery 150Ah
front/rear: fixed axles- semi-elliptical springs
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Gear box - transmission
Brakes
Tyres
| ZF KB60 - 4 forward + 1 reverse + overdrive air in all wheels 270-20; dual at rear |
| Fuel tank Turn radius Range Speed | 350 lts 5,25m 720 Km (road) 65 km/h (road) |
The kit:
While the long expected wonder kit from Takom does not reach the market (Diesel powered 4-doors version), we will bring to the "World of the Living" this old resin kit (#WES 35016) from Wespe Models: Hanomag SS100 Holzgas Generator (Gasogen powered, 2-doors version):
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| Wespe resin kit: Hanomag SS100 2-doors version - Holzgas |
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| Takom future release: Hanomag SS100 4-door version |
The box art of my kit was different. Notice the date:
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| My Wespe kit. Different box art |
Some parts are poorly castings with contaminated resin. The thing promises ...
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| Resin parts....The wheels are the worst part... |
The booklet is only a sheet of instructions. Very laconic and vague...
But there's no complain ... let's fight !!!
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| Cabin and chassis... |
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| Cleaning and repairing the cabin... Dental tools for Dremel. Beware!!! |
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| Seat in position... |
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| Pedals and levers... |
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| Colors based in the Saumur's Hanomag |
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| Dashboard... |
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| The cabin's roof. Notice the light in the middle... |
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| Cabin glued in position with cyanoacrilate... |
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| The casting this misaligned ... impossible to fix ... |
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| And worst: contamined resin!!! Awful!!! |
In desperation, I remembered that I had in my "Box of Miracles" the wheels of a SdKfz 234/1 from Italeri... The diameter is about equal ... Devil will be turn simple wheels in doubles ....
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| Plastic wheels ...Italeri SdKfz 234/1 spare parts... |
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| Carving the wheels, transforming simple in double wheels... |
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| Done...almost ready... |
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| With bolts, now!! Much better!! |
The complete set of wheels ...SdKfz to Hanomag !!!
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| Top from bottom: spare wheel, front and rear wheels... |
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| Panzerserra vs Wespe Models; Chuck approves!!! |
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| And the girl with new shoes !! Pretty!! |
After tons of little parts in resin: the Holzgas generator in position...
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| Notice the multimedia kit; plastic, resin, metal, tubes... |
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| These Elf headlights are amazing!!! |
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| 98% done... |
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| Preparing for painting ... |
As usual, I like to place my vehicles in real Operations Theatres and actual markings, whenever possible. This tractor could not escape the rule... Researching Hanomags I found that the Luftwaffe loved this vehicle. She was very used to pull various loads and trailers in all operating theaters. The Holzgas version was more used from the middle to the end of the war, when fuel resources were becoming increasingly scarce ... Based on this, sought inspiration in vehicles Luftwaffe camouflage 1943 forward. I found interesting things ...
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| A Luftwaffe Hanomag bravely pulling a 2 axles trailer in a fluffy ground ... I think I have a similar trailer ... |
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| Another Luftwaffe's Hanomag ... loved the numbers on the sides ... |
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| Hanomag pulling two heavy trailers in muddy conditions... Really... the girl was brave !!! |
I had decided to camouflage the tractor in dark yellow, with green and brown stripes. And Holzgas device in black or dark gray, as in most kits we see the Internet ... But I found this photo Holzgas devices painted in yellow and camouflaged ... BINGO !!
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| Opels with Holzgas devices in cammo...Amazing!!! |
And I fell in love with these markings:
Well, my historical puzzle is complete: Hanomag tractor in duties with Luftwaffe. VII Fliegerkorps, carrying loads of Supply Squadrons during the winter of 1943-44 on the Eastern Front. I researched the tactical markings of heavy duty tractors Luftwaffe and voiláa...
Lets see the template of painting and markings:
Let's painting...
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| Colors and Future.... |
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| Decals home-made... |
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| Hanomag attached to VII Fliegerkorps Supply Squadrons Tractor number 2 |
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| Luftwaffe tractor... |
Well, while the first coat of paint and decals dry, we will look for a treasure in my closet: the heavy trailer!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you the Schwerer LKW-Anhänger 11 to (o.) dreiachsig from Elite Militärmodellbau:
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| Heavy trailer 11 ton. 3 axles Elite instructions |
Some pics that I found of this girl:
The kit is very rustic, but well casting. The trailer can be building with rounded fenders (see above) or with no fenders (see below). I choose the second version:
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| Anhänger 11 ton. version with fenders - front view |
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| Anhänger 11 ton. version with fenders - rear view |
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| Anhänger 11 ton. version without fenders |
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| Open trailers (o) with a payload of 11.000 kg. This type trailers have been used mainly in the Transport Regiments. |
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| Trailer with no fenders Elite webpage pic. |
The instructions of my kit are illegible, but wrote to the Elite Models requesting new instructions and was promptly answered. They sent instructions and photos of buildings, crystal-clear, by e-mail. Thanks, Stefanie!!!
...and the trailer under construction:
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| Careful alignment of wheels and suspensions ... |
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| The chassis trailer |
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| Bye, Elite canvas... |
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| Much better... Notice the metal work for the future canvas... |
The trailer is hinged on its front wheels. To avoid future accidents, I put a screw that allows movement but prevents the fall of the piece. I hate loose parts ...
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| Screw in position. The future cargo will cover this... |
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| Mooring hooks... |
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| Notice the spare wheel rack in Plastruct. My kit part was broken... |
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| Spare wheel rack in close-up |
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| As a cockroach, after the insecticide !!! |
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| Trailer done !! Next step; painting... |
My idea is that the Hanomag was pulling a generic trailer. Therefore, with other marks and cammo. For this Anhänger, I chose the good and old Panzer Gray.
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| Vallejo Gray Primer |
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| Shades of gray... |
While the trailer dry, lets add the winter marks in tractor camouflage. Let's see a well-aged and worn cammo, placing the vehicle in the spring of 1944.
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| Winter cammo... first steps... |
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| Note the traction signaling triangle |
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| The spare wheel is a "creative freedom" |
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| The coal in thr coal rack is very "geometric", no-natural... |
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| I will add some charcoal fragments to aquarium filters ... |
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| PVA glue bed... |
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| Final looks; much better... |
Now it's time for Hanomag dry... Let's take the time building a load for our Anhänger (you remember that I aborted the original cover):
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| A thick piece of Styrofoam |
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| Planning cuts... |
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| Surgery done... |
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| Gluing the pieces removed in Styrofoam base, to simulate different loading heights. |
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| Done... |
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| Canvas made with tracing paper and water+PVA glue solution... |
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| After the dry paper, paint the canvas with Khaki Notice the mooring, made with polyamide thread (without hair) |
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| The hanomag with weathering in 98% |
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| A preview of the composition ... Hanomag pulling the Anhänger 11 ton. 96% done!!! |
Mission Accomplished !!! Meet the Hanomag SS100 NH 4x2 heavy road tractor with Holzgas generator, serving with VII Fliegerkorps, Supply Squadrons, Tractor number 2, towing the Anhänger 11 ton heavy trailer, 3 axles, number 5, in the Russian Front, in the begining of the Spring, 1944.
First, the Hanomag: |
| Hanomag SS100 NH 4x2 heavy road tractor with Holzgas generator, serving with VII Fliegerkorps, Supply Squadrons, Tractor number 2, Russian Front, - Spring, 1944. |
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| Hanomag SS100 NH 4x2 heavy road tractor with Kojak and Rover, the dog. |
And the Anhänger 11 ton heavy trailer, 3 axles, number 5, in the Russian Front, in the begining of the Spring, 1944.
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| Hanomag SS100 NH 4x2 heavy road tractor with Holzgas generator, VII Fliegerkorps, Supply Squadrons, Tractor number 2, towing the Anhänger 11 ton heavy trailer, 3 axles, number 5, Russian Front - Spring, 1944. |
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| Hanomag and Anhänger 11 ton with Bedford QLC Dromedary in compared size |
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| The German Hanomag is huge!! |
Thanks for watching, Modelers !!!
