Some time back, I started a post asking if any one knew if the Tamiya representation of the KP Towing hook was accurate. Unfiortunately no-one was able to help out at the time.
After searching for some pics of Panther D I found a site that had this picture: http://www.ww2mmrefphotos.com/photos/walkkp/kp7.jpg
The hook seems to be basically correct if over simplified, but there also appears to be a separate locking pin that goes in a hole in the side of teh hook. Am I correct in assuming this?
You’re basically correct Peter; unlike American vehicles, which almost universally used the same type of towing hitch ( which is still in use today… good designs are timeless), there was no standard pattern for towing hooks on German vehicles. It seemed to be whatever the manufacturer came up with. Opel used one type, Krupp another, and so on. Amazing that they fit all the different trailers the Germans used! The Krupp Protze hook is accurate in that picture; Tamiya doesn’t include that particular detail (the locking pin) on it’s Krupp-Protze kits but it’s easy to replicate with some fine wire.
You would think that Tamiya would have updated such a prominent piece when they reissued the KP with the 3.7mm recently…wouldn’t have taken much given the rest of the rear modifications they made.
No problem… Considering that K/P kit was released originally some 26 years ago, in a slightly different configuration, it still holds up well in general. It was always one of my favorites, in any case; I guess I can forgive Tamiya for not including that locking pin, especially since it’s so easy to fix. [:)]