Krupp Protz L2H143 Kfz.69 (Late Version) with 3.7cm Pak 36

Bronco, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Background

The Krupp-Protze Kfz.69 was designed in 1929 as a 6x4 heavy field car for the German Army.  But changing priorities led to it being re-designed and produces as an artillery tractor.  The Krupp designation was L2H43 and the first examples left the factory in 1934, the early examples were powered by an air cooled 53hp 3.3 litre Krupp M302 engine. 

The body was designed to seat six - driver and assistant as well as the gun crew - with provision for ammunition and tools. 

This version was produced until 1936 when it was replaced by the L2H43 with a more powerful 60hp engine and slightly longer wheel base.  About 7,000 Krupp-Protze trucks were built with the majority being the Kfz. 69, with small numbers of other variants using the same chassis. 

Production ended in 1941 in favour of small half-track tractors with better off road mobility. 

The Kfz. 69 was used to tow the 3.7cm Pak 36 anti-tank gun, designed originally in 1924 as a horse drawn artillery piece.  In the early 1930s, the carriage was redesigned for motor transport and the Kfz.69 developed as its primary tractor. 

The Pak 36 could penetrate 31mm of armour at 500 metres, which was more than enough to deal with most of the lightly armoured tanks of the period.  It was used in Poland, France, North Africa and Russia up until 1942.

FirstLook

This new release from Bronco Models is absolutely amazing for a kit of its size. 

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The detail is excellent with over 400 light grey plastic parts, seven clear plastic parts, eleven vinyl tyres, and approximately 100 etched metal parts included in the kit. 

Most of the parts go to making up the engine, gearbox and chassis.

The entire chassis build up is 17 steps in the instructions before any of the body work is added to the assembly.  A further 17 steps is dedicated to the chassis assembly. 

The fitout of the cabin with the crew seats and equipment is stunning with the amount of detail and the excellence in the moulding. 

The build-up of the 3.7cm Pak36 gun is once again stunning with 68 parts making up the complete build of the gun.  Detail is once again superb.  The decals are nicely printed and look to be very thin and in register. 

Paint schemes are all in the German grey scheme with decals provided for the 3rd antitank battalion in 1941, Russia in 1941, Norway 1940, and France 1940.

Suitable for moderate modelling skills.

Thanks to Bronco for the sample http://www.cn-bronco.com/en/index.php