Neubau-Fahrzeug
Nr.1 – Dragon
Dragon has already produced a fine 1/72 scale
kit of the Neubau-Fahrzeug tanks
that served in Norway in 1940, and now another model is being offered in the
same scale in the Armor Pro collection.
This kit features the very first prototype that
was built in 1934. Although it bears strong similarities with the Nr.3-5 kit, this Neubau-Fahrzeug
uses mostly brand new parts. In keeping with the prototype’s construction, it
has a brand new main turret and two machine gun turrets.
The main Rh-B turret with curved profile is
distinguished by having the two main armaments mounted one above the other.
These turrets, as well as the detailed upper hull, are all made from slide
molds. There are also new hatches and fenders, as well as the frame antenna
fitted around the main turret. With the convenience of modelers in mind, the
intricate road wheels are assembled as one piece, while the tracks are made of
DS. As well as the vehicles that saw combat in Norway, modelers can now depict
the original version of this monstrous tank!
German’s initial attempt at creating a heavy
tank began in the early 1930s. Known as the Neubau-Fahrzeug
(“New Construction Vehicle”), it was not a success, however. Slow-moving,
boasting multiple turrets and requiring six crewmen, it wasn’t well suited to
the type of rapid, mobile warfare that blitzkrieg tactics required. For this
reason, only five Neubau-Fahrzeug heavy tanks
were built by Rheinmetall-Borsig (Rh-B). The first two 23.41-ton prototypes
(numbers 1-2) were manufactured in 1934 out of mild steel so they were not
suitable for combat. Instead they were used by the tank training school at
Putlos until 1940. The design featured a 3.7cm KwK L/45 cannon, a 7.5cm KwK
L/24 main gun and two 7.92mm machine guns.
The Neubaufahrzeug was
ordered from Rheinmetall-Borsig in 1933, and was to be a development of their
earlier Grosstraktor to provide the German Army with a 20 ton multi-turreted
main tank. Tests on two mild steel prototypes in 1934 led to the construction
of three armoured vehicles in 1935. These were fitted with a Krupp-designed
turret and gun mount which simplified construction and set the 7.5cm KwK and
3.7cm KwK side by side.
Vehicles 1 and 2 had
mild steel armour and the rounded Rh-B turret and vertical gun mount. Before
being used in action in 1940, vehicles 3, 4 and 5 were refitted with an extra
turret similar to that of the Pz Kpfw I, but armed with only one MG34.
The prototypes were
used by the tank training school at Putlos until 1940. The three armoured
vehicles were attached to the Pz Abt z b V 40 (z b V == for special
employment). In April 1940, they were shipped direct to Oslo in Norway and were
used in action during that month. One vehicle was destroyed and the two
surviving Nbfz were returned to Germany at the end of 1940.
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