1/35 German Bergepanzer 38 (t) Hetzer - early

highly detailed and accurate conversion model

130 resin parts

300+ PE parts

+ fine chain, copper rope, plastic parts, wires and balsa wood stick

assembly instructions on CD and download here: click!

1/35 German Bergepanzer 38 (t) Hetzer - late

highly detailed and accurate conversion model

138 resin parts

300+ PE parts

+ fine chain, copper rope, plastic parts, wires and balsa wood stick

assembly instructions on CD and download here:   click!

Bergepanzerwagen 38(t) / Bergerpanzer 38(t) was a recovery vehicle based on Hetzer’s base, with lower open-top superstructure, manufactured by BMM company in Prague. The plans were  approved  in September  1944 and called for production of 170  vehicles until the end of 1944.   In fact just 101 vehicles were built. To meet the production plans it was decided to convert 64 Summer production´s Hetzer into armoured recovery vehicles, but it is unknown how many were actually converted. Production was much slower than plans, and  total number of about 180 vehicles was produced until the end of the war. The Bergepanzer was equipped with two-ton folding jib crane used to handle engines and other heavy components.  Additionally the recovery vehicle was equipped with five-ton winch  of Baumgarten company. The winch was driven by the vehicle´s engine through transmission system. At the end a blade was instaled at the rear of the hull, but it is again unclear how many vehicles were equipped with it. There were also some development works to install the blade at the front of the vehicle, as seen in the company blueprints, but probably these plans were never realized.

LZ models bring a coversion to be used with Tamiya middle Hetzer kit or with Dragon´s late version. There will be also actually two kits, first an early version of Hetzer with the crane (can be mounted on in working or disassembled position) and the winch, which will be more suitable for Tamiya kit, but will fit also on Dragon´s one, and then a late version of Hetzer with crane, winch and blade, suitable for Dragon´s late kit, but  also side late wheels as an option will be provided for guys having Tamiya kits bought  already. So generally it can be used with any kit at the market.

Test build of the kit has finished  here