1/35 WWII Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm Pak 43 Waffentrager

This is a plastic model kit, which comes unassembled and unpainted. So glue, model paints and other basic modelling tools are additionally required.

Features:
- Newly tooled handrail reproduced
- Newly tooled transmission produced in separate parts
- 8.8cm PaK Waffentrager w/newly designed glacis plate and interior
- Realistic 8.8cm gun newly designed
- Realistic ammo mounted on the side of turret

- Hatch in rear of fighting compartment can be assembled open/closed
- Realistic radio power supplies included
- Realistic gunner's seat
- Radio rack made from photo-etched parts
- Optional photo-etched covers reproduced on driver's seat
- Gun travel lock can be assembled in either travel or combat mode
- Slide-molded one-piece gun barrel
- Hollow muzzle brake
- Photo-etched gun armor skirt can be optionally assembled
- Intricate gun sight offers great detail definition
- Ventilation grill molded on hull front
- Fighting compartment produced in separate parts
- One-piece slide-molded lower hull
- Individual tracks reproduced
- Delicate idler wheels reproduced
- Drive sprocket w/multi-part assembly to achieve the highest levels of detail and accuracy
- Road wheels with precise detail
- Suspension system as per the real vehicle; slide-molded suspension arms and springs
- w/delicate detail

At the recent Nuremberg Toy Fair, Dragon excited modelers with a tantalizing look at a new 1/35 scale model. The upcoming kit represents a German design that reached only prototype status, but which is a fascinating subject nonetheless. The vehicle is the Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm PaK 43 Waffentrager. The conceptual idea behind this weapon system was a self-propelled mount for the powerful but heavy 8.8cm antitank gun, as towed versions of this gun were too unwieldy for crews to move readily. Ardelt and Rheinmetall combined to build the first prototype and tests were conducted on this Ardelt I. The vehicle's engine was fitted at the front of the hull, which permitted the main armament - an 8.8cm L/71 cannon - to be fitted on the rear. It utilized a 38(t) chassis with four road wheels per side. An improved prototype (Ardelt II) was later produced by Ardelt and Krupp, but the end of the war intervened before production got off the ground.

Dragon's kit represents the original Ardelt-Rheinmetall prototype, and it's a scintillating subject in 1/35 scale. To suit the prototypical nature of the Waffentrager, the plastic model employs brand new upper-hull and lower-hull components. The open-top fighting compartment is filled with details, and the armor plates surrounding it have been carefully manufactured to achieve the correct scale thickness. Taking center stage, of course, is the massive 8.8cm PaK 43 antitank gun. This weapon is fully reproduced from the tip of its muzzle brake to the breech. All in all, Dragon offers modelers the highest-quality kit of this novel Waffentrager.