1/35 Dragon Models Lefh18/40/2 (Sf) Auf G.W. Pz.Kpfw.III/Iv – 6710

Features:

• Newly tooled leFH18/40/2 features full detail
• Newly tooled gun platform authentically produced
• newly produced turret made by slide molding
• Delicate upper hull and fully detailed on hull bottom
• One-piece slide-molded lower hull with exquisite detail
• Turret contains intricate interior details
• Ammunition assembled in ammo racks
• Armored shield mounted on turret
• Stowage locker included in turret
• Delicated gun sight reproduced
• Realistic gun has full detail
• Slide-molded hollow gun barrel with a finely detailed muzzle brake
• Gun can be separately assembled in either travel or combat version
• Gun trail stowed on hull rear
• Gun wheels included
• Intricate engine deck with ventilation grill
• Brake-cooling inlets produced for frontal plate
• Magic Tracks reproduced

Germany designed a number of different self-propelled howitzers during WWII, but not all of them reached production. One of the more interesting types was the le.FH.18/40/2 auf.Pz.III/IV Sfl. With a name as convoluted as this, unsurprisingly, it isn’t widely known! However, Dragon is giving this weapon carrier an enormous popularity boost by being the first manufacturer to create a 1/35 scale plastic kit of the weapon system! Basically, the 25-ton vehicle mounted a 10.5-cm .L.e.F.H. .1.8./.4.0./.2. infantry gun in a fighting compartment, although it also carried gun trails and wheels on the rear of the hull so that the howitzer could be removed and used as a towed howitzer too.

Alkett / Rheinmetall-Borsig completed a prototype in March 1944 in direct competition to Krupp’s Heuschrecke 10. It was eventually decided that it would be based on a Geschutzwagen IV (Hummel) chassis, and it was designed to carry 80 ammo rounds and operate with a five-man crew. Production was scheduled to commence in February 1945 but no vehicles ever eventuated.

This was a unique design, and Dragon has given it very special treatment. The only parts in common with current kits are the road wheels, Magic Tracks and some OVM items; all other parts are brand new! Dragon is most certainly in the vanguard by being the first company to offer the le.FH.18/40/2 auf.Pz.III/IV Sfl. as a plastic kit. The le.FH.18 howitzer installed in the open-topped fighting compartment is a brand new creation. If they wish, modelers have the choice of assembling this infantry gun as a towed howitzer with its wheels and trails attached. The fighting compartment is full of detail; the gun mount, ammo storage racks and stowage bins are all there. The lower hull is made as one piece by slide molding. This is a stunning Smart Kit of a novel vehicle, and its appearance and unusual function are bound to draw admiration and invite curious questions from viewers!