Tamiya 35239 Sd.Kfz.9 'FAMO' Heavy Half-Track 1/35 Scale Plastic Model Kit

Tamiya ventured into the modeling business in 1948, with a scale wooden ship model kit. Since then, Tamiya has been striving to offer merchandise that can truly be called 'First in Quality Around the World.' Now Tamiya is offering more than 300 different products, both in the fields of precision static models and high performance radio control vehicles. These products are not only sold in Japan but also exported in vast quantities to the United States, Europe, South East Asia, and to many other parts of the world. The standard of excellence achieved by Tamiya is regarded as among the very finest in the world of model hobbies. When a tank became inoperative, the Recovery Platoons were informed of the condition of both the tank and the surrounding road surface. Tanks such as Pz.Kpfw.III and Pz.Kpfw.IV could be towed by a single 18 ton heavy half-track, but heavy tanks such as the Tiger I or Panther required three or more towing vehicles. In that case, about 5m of wire rope was used to link each of the half-tracks together. Except for emergency situations, a draw-bar was used for the tank/half-track linkage instead of wire rope. After the linkage was complete, a commander and signalman boarded the lead half-track, directing the other half-tracks by a series of hand signals. In the wake of Blitzkrieg advances made by the Wehrmacht at the outbreak of WWII, the recovery of damaged or broken tanks from the battlefield proved relatively simple. After securing an area, reinforcing divisions could easily send inoperative vehicles back to the homeland for repair via railway. However, in the seesaw battles with the British Army in North Africa and against the Russian Army on the Russian front, the quick replenishment of tank strength became an indispensable element of Wehrmacht battle strategy. The utilization of the 18 ton Heavy Half-Track 'Famo' proved fundamental to this strategy. KIt features: highly detailed model captures the size and tank-towing power of the FAMO; realistic treads and suspension; synthetic rubber front tires and steerable front wheels for maximum realism; rear gate and storage doors can be assembled in the open or closed position; tank towing drawbar included; can be assembled with or without engine side panels, revealing fully detailed engine; engine can be assembled outside of FAMO; eight figures (four variations) included. This finely detailed plastic model kit requires assembly and painting.