Actually it’s a german cargo halftrack, as all my german armor buddies probably already know. thats why I’m askinf for some help in locating some background history on this subject. My only german references are limited to three volumes of squadron/signal publications panzer colors, and there is nothing on this beast in them. I tryed doing a goggle search, but I guess I’m still not good enough on computers to find anything on this subject. Of course most of you guys who have been with me from the beginning know this is old stuff with me but, I sure could use a link or two. help a middle aged man move on. thanks. semper fi, mike
Which version do you want info about? I have a few photos of the cargo, 37mm flak or the Panzerwerfer 42 versions. A total of 825 were produced between December 1943 to March 1945.
This should get you started…
http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/germany/halftracks_1.html
http://www.panzer-modell.de/specials/leserbilder/sws/sws.htm
http://iquebec.ifrance.com/2iemeguerre/blindes/swscargo.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3620/sws.htm
http://users.pandora.be/bert.dujardin/SWS_mit_Panzerfer_+_VW_typ_82_K�belwagen.htm
http://mf-panzermodellbau.de/sdkfz%20liste.htm
Peridexion. thanks for the offer on the pics. I think Renarts, has pretty well laid out my homework for me, so, let me take my assignments and get to work. You guessed it, I’m going to make this my next project. It’s an old Italeri kit I’ve had stuffed away for a couple of years at least. I will be building the cargo version as illustrated on the box art. I’m thinking of hookinf up a piece of artillery to it maybe. We’ll see if my research will allow that. thanks to both of you guys I appreciate the interst. semper fi, mike
Sounds like a nice change of pace. It would look good towing a Pak 40. I’m STILL waiting for AFV to release theirs.
Got a pak40 sitting in a box just dying to be towed! thats kind of my plan Eric. We must be thinking on the same wavelengths. I’d just kind of like to figure out the best campaign to stage this arrangement in. I’d love to see it in a North Africa type of color scheme. semper fi, mike
Mike on that first site that Mike(Renarts) gave you, it seemed to come out in early spring of 43 and makes no reference to Africa. Probably never made it there. I thought I read something about it being used primarily in Russia. Still, you can build a “Fantasy” scheme.
I’ll go with whatever history spells out Eric. I’m already talking to momma about the possiblity of maybe getting some after market treads for this project!! She’s open to that, I just have to wait till the first of the month. I can live with that. Now all I gotta do is find a source. I’m thinking of approaching this project a little differently then my past builds. I thought it would be interesting to post pics as I move through the assembly, and share my comments on any problems. Sort of like a review except it will be more of a laymans approach. This is not to common a subject, so that should make it different, and I hope interesting. Pics will follow soon. semper fi, mike
Looking forward to your progress Mike. Does the kit come with the dreaded rubberband tracks?
Sounds like an exciting and interesting challenge mike and would love to see your progress as you move through it.
No SWS in Africa. DAK was history by the time this baby hit the streets.
Sorry to get back late to you guys, seems my computer has been awfully slow on the FSM forum the last couple of days, needless to say, I haven’t been posting much as
i’d rather read others comments and suggestions then listen to my jibberish. TIGERMAN, this an Italeri kit and has indy links which I probably will attempt to use because I’m not confident enough to find after market Fruilmodels!! I ran through Great models line of Fruil model treads and couldn’t find anything for the SWS. WILDBILL76, thanks for your comments. After talking with the wife, she suggested we take progress pics but, post them al at once, so that the reader has a better overall idea of the progress. It sure makes sense to me!!. PERIDEXION, have to agree with your comments on where the SWS was used, so it looks like we’ll be building something that represents the eastern front. After viewing some links you guys have been good enough to provide me with, I have a better idea of what colors I’ll be able to work with. thanks guys for the interest in my build, I’ll try not to disappoint anyone. semper fi, mike
I’m afraid that I can’t help much in the way of references, but FYI, Italeri just re-released this very kit, along with an old ESCI demolition vehicle and crew, so a couple of reviews should pop up soon.
Speaking of which, here’s one:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/italeri/it6434.htm
ZOKISSIMA,(Zoran) thanks very much for the link on the SWS. It will go along ways in helping me to produce a quality build. It also answered one of my questions with regard to there being after market treads avail. I’d still like to pursue that! The build itself is moving along nicely, and I’m taking progress pics as I go, so those will be forthcoming. semper fi, mike
No prob. Glad I could be of help. Let us know how the build goes. I would be very interested in seeing it progress.