1/35 German WWII 10.5 cm leFH 18/4 auf G.W. Lrs(f) w/SSy45 flatcar

The self-propelled 10.5 cm leFH 18/4 auf Geschützwagen Lorraine Schlepper (f) was a typical example of German improvisation and use of loot technology during World War II. After the occupation of France in 1940, the Wehrmacht acquired a considerable number of French vehicles, among them the Lorraine 37L light armoured personnel carrier. These chassis were gradually converted to a variety of uses, from supply vehicles to weapons carriers. The leFH 18/4 howitzer variant was developed in response to the need for mobile artillery support, particularly for units deployed on the Eastern Front, where they needed to react quickly to changing situations and operate in difficult terrain. The 10.5 cm howitzer was one of the standard weapons of the German artillery and its placement on a mobile chassis increased the tactical flexibility of the units.

The design consisted of an open superstructure on the rear of the Lorraine chassis, where the howitzer was mounted with limited crew armour. The vehicle was not intended for direct front-line combat, but to provide indirect fire support from a safer distance. Nevertheless, its agility and ability to quickly change position were highly valued in practice. Due to the limited number of units produced (estimated in the low tens to low hundreds), it was a relatively rare type, making it an interesting subject for modellers looking for less common variants of German equipment.

In addition to the self-propelled gun itself, the 1:35 scale Dostanešzimi Model kit also offers the SSy45 railway flat car, which was the standard German solution for transporting heavy equipment by rail. This type of flat car was widely used during the war to transport tanks, self-propelled guns and other armoured vehicles between front lines or to repair bases. The combination of gun and platform allows the modeller to create a scene depicting the logistical side of war - loading, transporting or unloading equipment at a railway station or in field conditions. Alternatively, the self-propelled gun can be built independently in a combat configuration, for example in the field or in a field position.

Scale 1:35 is ideal for detailing both the vehicle itself (panel lines, rivets, exhaust, wheel suspension, open combat cab with visible interior and howitzer) as well as the railcar (chassis, axles, wooden platform floor, fasteners). Weathering can use techniques such as dry wiping, pigments, oil paints or airbrush to represent dust, mud, paint wear, and operational marks consistent with intensive deployment on the Eastern Front. Rust, wood texture, oil, and dirt from the railroad tracks are suggested for the railroad platform. Package does not include paint or adhesives needed for assembly.