Rubicon: Mehr Previews

Bei Rubicon Models gibt es wieder einiges zu sehen, darunter einige bemalte Modelle.

Our weekend teaser… This is our Tauchpanzer IV with betriebsstoffanhänger conversion using our upcoming Panzer IV Ausf D/E kit (280076) and kitbashing the fuel trailer. Tank crew are also converted using our plastic Panzer Crew set (284041). Enjoy!

Background History

The Tauchpanzer IV (literally “dipping tank”) was a version of the Panzer IV designed to be driven underwater. It was developed for use in the early stages in the planned invasion of Britain in an attempt to provide armour for the first vital stages of the landing.

A number of Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs were turned into underwater vehicles. The idea was they would be carried most of the way across the English Channel before being lowered to the seabed. They would then drive across the sea floor and emerge onto the British beaches.

To achieve this the Tauchpanzers were made waterproof. Every opening on the tank was sealed with a waterproof compound. The cupola, the mantlet for the main gun and the hull mounted machine gun were covered with rubber sheeting which could be blown away once the tank had landed. The turret ring was sealed with an inflatable rubber ring, which could be deflated one ashore. Air was provided through a long hose connected to a float on the surface of the sea.

The Tauchpanzer IV was a successful design, but the cancellation of Operation Sea Lion left them without a purpose. They were instead issued to the 18th and 3rd Panzer Divisions, where they operated as normal tanks. The Tauchpanzers did operate underwater on one occasion, when on 22 June 1941 volunteer crews from the 18th Panzer Division used them to cross the River Bug underwater early in the German invasion of Russia.

As part of the Kübelwagen extension, here is the TS #1 plastic sprue for the Beetle… inspected and test assembled!

Not only as a WW2 vehicle, but the Beetle can also be used as a post-war car up to modern day minus the driver in Heer uniform. Enjoy!

Our first Schwimmwagen plastic testshot painted in Dunkelgrau (Panzer Grey)… Enjoy!

Our first VW Beetle testshot assembled and painted for review. Still have some minor issues and a possible update on selected parts on the sprue, but the overall quality is acceptable. Enjoy!

Quelle: Rubicon Models auf Facebook