Tamiya 35200 – highly detailed 1:35 scale kitset of the 2nd World War German self-propelled artillery vehicle the SdKfz 124 Wespe (“Wasp”).
Converted from the Panzer II Ausf. F chassis, the Wespe was fitted with a leFH 18 105 mm light field howitzer and gun-shield. This model kit comes with highly detailed scale replica of the leFH 18 105 mm howitzer, detailed exterior, 2 detailed crew figures, and lots of accessories.
- Military Miniature Series #200, Ger. Self-Propelled Howitzer “WESPE”
- 1:35 scale, 143mm length
- 2 figures included
- This plastic kitset requires assembly, paint and glue to complete.
Suggested Paint Colors (not included):
TS-1 – Red Brown
TS-2 – Dark Green
TS-3 – Dark Yellow
X-10 – Gun Metal
X-11 – Chrome Silver
X-12 – Gold Leaf
X-18 – Semi Gloss Black
XF-1 – Flat Black
XF-10 – Flat Brown
XF-15 – Flat Flesh
XF-2 – Flat White
XF-22 – RLM Grey
XF-54 – Dark Sea Grey
XF-56 – Metallic Grey
XF-60 – Dark Yellow
XF-61 – Dark Green
XF-63 – German Grey
XF-64 – Red Brown
XF-65 – Field Grey
XF-7 – Flat Red
When German Forces encountered the harsh Russian winter and superiority of Soviet tanks on the Eastern Front during WW2, they rushed to develop new equipment immediately. In addition to more powerful tanks and anti-tank weaponry, fully tracked self-propelled guns were necessary to accompany motorized troops. To fulfill this need, several prototypes were built up using existing guns and tracked chassis as interim solutions. One mounted the Type 18/2, 10.5cm L/28 light howitzer on a Panzer II chassis. The gun was the standard light field howitzer used by German artillery forces at the time, and the Panzer II had been already proven reliable with its cross-country ability. To mount the gun, the engine had to be relocated from the rear to the middle of the hull. The movable tank turret was replaced with a simple box-shaped steel structure. As its primary role was intended to be for infantry support, the fighting compartment was only lightly armored at the front and sides, and the top was left uncovered. The finished weapons system allowed the gun to elevate 42 degrees and traverse 34 degrees, and had a muzzle brake added to the gun to reduce recoil. It carried a crew of five with 32 rounds of 10.5cm howitzer ammunition. Officially named the “Wespe” (Wasp in German), its production began in February 1943, and although originally intended as a stopgap weapon, it remained in production until September 1944 with 676 produced.