Expected arrival January 2012.
Germany created many successful medium and heavy tanks such as the Panzer III, Panzer IV, Panther and Tiger. However, the nation’s first attempts at creating a heavy tank commenced in the early 1930s. Known as the Neubaufahrzeug (“New Construction Vehicle”), it was not a success, however. Slow-moving and boasting multiple turrets, it was ill equipped for the type of rapid, mobile warfare that Blitzkrieg tactics required. For this reason, only five Neubaufahrzeug heavy tanks were built. Their armament included a 7.5m KwK L/24 main gun, 3.7cm KwK L/45 cannon and two 7.92mm machine guns. The three 25.8-ton series-production tanks (numbers 3-5) that had been built in 1935-36 participated in the 1940 invasion of Norway within a specially formed Panzerabteilung called Pz.Abt.z.b.V.40.
Dragon Armor is offering a 1/72 scale model of one of those tanks that saw action in Norway. Utilizing research and molds from the previously released plastic kit, this Neubaufahrzeug is impressive in its early-war camouflage colors of gray and brown. The model has also received white balkenkreuze markings as well as a distinctive elefant on the hull front. The three turrets are precisely replicated. This was one monster of a tank, and now modelers can own one with a Scandinavian flavor!
