Tamiya 35246 German 18 ton Heavy Half-Track FAMO & Tank Transport
As World War II progressed, the vehicles used on the battlefields became larger and larger. When these mammoth machines broke down or became damaged, the task of bringing them back from the front lines was not an easy one. This need was especially felt by the German Wehrmacht, who were fighting on a wide range of battlegrounds: from the scorching desert of N. Africa to the railroad lacking plains of Russia. Bringing damaged vehicles back from these difficult conditions was indispensable to replenishing fighting strength to the army.
The German 18 Ton Heavy Half-Track "FAMO" and Tank Transporter Sd.Ah.116 was one of the vehicles that contributed to this task. Including all variations, over 2500 18ton half-tracks were produced by the end of the WWII.
One of the major types was the tank recovery half-track, which was a mighty towing vehicle equipped with two rows of seats and a flatbed in back for the storage of equipment such as a draw-bar and spare wire rope. Tool storage compartments were found on each of the outer sides of the flatbed.
In addition, the underside of a vehicle was equipped with a winch. Its powerplant was a Maybach HL 108 12-cylinder engine, which put out 270hp. Tank transporting was conducted by either direct towing with a draw bar, or by loading the tank atop a massive trailer.
Officially known as "Sd.Ah.116", the Type 116 Trailer connected with the 18ton heavy half track, which allowed for the transportation of 22-23 ton class tanks such as the Pz.Kpfw.III, Pz.Kpfw.IV and other heavy artillery.
Stretching over 640mm, Tamiya's new beast-of-burden is 50mm longer than the Dragon Wagon and is the longest kit in the MM series.
The massive trailer unit consists of both the front and the rear wheeled pieces on either ends of the long platform piece. Real rubber tires for heightened realism.
This kit features ample metal and metal plated parts for various accessory pieces such as a chain for fixing the tank in tow to the platform.
This kit brings back the eight figures of four poses included in the original "FAMO" kit, plus four all new figures of three poses acting out a tank loading scene at the rear of the trailer.
Features
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1/35 plastic assembly kit of the largest half-track in the German Army.
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Overall Length: 243mm, Overall Width: 75mm.
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Highly detailed model captures the size and tank-towing power of the FAMO.
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Realistic treads and suspension.
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Synthetic rubber front tires and steerable front wheels for maximum realism.
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Rear gate and storage doors can be assembled in the open or closed position. Tank towing drawbar included.
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Can be assembled with or without engine side panels, revealing fully detailed engine.
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Engine can be assembled outside of FAMO.
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Eight figures (four variations) included.
