Takom's two BIG vehicles in small scale are set for a July release...

Takom has some interesting stuff coming that is finally appearing in the media and soon on the shelves of your LHS. A new 72nd scale set two of mine-rolling German behemoths in the one box are on the way and we have some info in our preview...

Preview: Two small scale mine rollers in the one box from Takom in July.

Krupp Raumer + Vs.Kfz.617

(1+1 kit)

Kit No # 

1/72nd scale

Talpom has been choosing very smartly their subjects in 72nd scale, and this dual boxing of two mine rollers from the Third Reich - The Krupp Raumer + Vs.Kfz.617 kits. The Raumer has already been kitted with some success in 35th scale, while this is the first Vs.Kfz.617 from Takom. Some of you might be saying - "What the hell ARE these things?"

The Krupp Raumer   

This very unusual and futuristic looking WWII German Super Heavy Mine clearer is a heavily armoured minesweeper developed and built by Krupp for Germany during the Second World War. Weighing over 130 tons, this behemoth was effectively two sections articulated in the centre and moved by massive steel wheels that were 2.7 m in diameter. The vehicle was 15 m long and 4 m high. The track widths differed between the front and rear to encourage a wider sweep path.

Each section of the Raumer S was powered by a Maybach HL90 engine generating 360 hp and 3600 rpm. Although armaments were not placed on the prototype which was created, there were plans to mount 7.92mm MG-42 machine guns for both anti-personnel and anti-aircraft roles. At the end of the war, the existing Raumer S prototype was captured by the US Military; although what happened after it’s capture is unknown.

The Minenräumer Germany’s Minenräumer (Vs.Kfz. 617) was a prototype armoured vehicle designed jointly by Krupp, Daimler-Benz and Alkett and built by Alkett; the purpose of the vehicle was clearing minefields. Although the vehicle never went to production, the prototype survives and is on display at the Kubinka tank museum in Russia. The vehicle was designed to be capable of moving through a minefield impervious to the damage that might otherwise be caused to other AFVs; this, of course, led to the vehicle being extremely heavy and slow which was a major factor in the project being abandoned. The vehicle was armed with twin 7.92 mm MG-34 machine guns mounted in either a Panzer 1 Ausf. A or Ausf. B turret. 

The vehicle was protected by between 10 and 40 mm of armour. (Prototype) Armoured Minesweeper - Designed Jointly by Krupp, Daimler-Benz and Alkett. Germany’s Minenräumer (Vs.Kfz. 617) was a prototype armoured vehicle designed jointly by Krupp, Daimler-Benz and Alkett and built by Alkett; the purpose of the vehicle was clearing minefields. 

The vehicle was designed to be capable of moving through a minefield impervious to the damage that might otherwise be caused to other AFVs; this, of course, led to the vehicle being extremely heavy and slow which was a major factor in the project being abandoned. The vehicle was armed with twin 7.92 mm MG-34 machine guns mounted in either a Panzer 1 Ausf. A or Ausf. B turret. The vehicle was protected by between 10 and 40 mm of armour.

Although the vehicle never went to production, the prototype survives and is on display at the Kubinka tank museum in Russia. 

The Kit:

This new jit from Takom has little information we can give you so far - we do know there are seven marking choices included in the box from he AMMO team - how these are divided between the tanks we do not know. There is Photo-etch to replicate the smaller parts, and yes - the figure is NOT included  :-)

Both of these kits in the one box will be available in July from Takom's Suppliers Worldwide...