Friday, January 24

Preview: MiniArt's 1/35th scale Raupenschlepper OST RSO/01. Early Prod

MiniArt makes an "early" start with their new 1/35th scale Raupenschlepper OST RSO/01. We have CADs, art & features of this fierst kit in their RSO series in our preview...

Preview: MiniArt's 1/35th scale Raupenschlepper OST RSO/01. Early Prod

RAUPENSCHLEPPER OST RSO/01. EARLY PROD
From MiniArt Models
1/35th scale
Kit No. 35478
Decals for four options in the box.
The kit includes clear parts & photo-etch metal
The subject: Raupenschlepper OST RSO/01. Early Prod
The acronym RSO stands for “Raupenschlepper Ost,” which translates as “Caterpillar Tractor East.". The terrible muddy and icy conditions experienced on the Eastern Front convinced Germany of the need for a highly mobile, tracked vehicle. Steyr proposed the RSO, and it immediately became a popular vehicle thanks to its mobility and reliability. In all, about 23,000 RSO vehicles were produced by a range of manufacturers. The original version had a pressed-steel cab and a typical truck-style cargo bed at the rear. It was powered by a Steyr 85-hp V8 engine that offered a top speed of 30 km/h.

RSO/01—licence plate WH-315706 in a well-known photo of the early type...
Initially designed as a prime mover and artillery supply vehicle, the RSO eventually adapted to a wide range of roles. Upon its arrival on the Eastern Front, combat units repurposed it for general transportation duties, leveraging its reliability, ease of maintenance, and versatility to excel in various terrains. Its unique "slack-track" system, consisting of four road wheels per side in a single line, proved particularly effective in handling the challenging mud season and Russian winter conditions, which often crippled other vehicles. This was due to the absence of return rollers, which eliminated the risk of mud or snow freezing between the wheels of more complex suspension systems found in German half-track vehicles like the SdKfz 7.

An RSO towing a 120mm mortar
The RSO underwent several design iterations, starting with the RSO/01, which featured a pressed-steel cab with a truck-like configuration. Subsequent models, RSO/02 and RSO/03, adopted a simpler, soft-top, slab-sided metal cab. All versions boasted wooden, drop-side cargo beds typical of light trucks from that era. Initially powered by a Steyr 3.5L V8 petrol engine, the RSO/03 was later upgraded to a Deutz air-cooled diesel engine. Approximately 23,000 RSO units of all versions were produced.

A column of RSO towing PaK guns

The kit: MiniArt's 1/35th scale Raupenschlepper OST RSO/01. Early Prod
MiniArt's 35th scale Raupenschlepper OST RSO01 is the first in their new family of Raupenschleppers. Several are planned with different cabs, structures, and trays, some even armoured. This is the more common tractor version, with the all-metal cab and canvas rear cover over the tray.

Ainiart's other RSO's: 35478 RAUPENSCHLEPPER OST RSO/01. EARLY PROD, 35483 7.5cm Pak 40/4 auf gep. Selbstfahrlafette RSO & 35480 Raupenschlepper Ost RSO/01. Mid Prod are the first three of this family produced. If we know MiniArt, there will be more and more tempting kits on the way!
This kit features all the parts to make one RSO early type right out of the box. Four marking choices are included.
The simple uncovered tray is also offered as an option with stringers here installed (or not, your choice).
You can see a direct comparison between the canvas on and off here...
You can see some of the chassis and rear running gear of the RSO in this image.
And again, with even less on, the cab and tray are of here showing the full track and suspension and access to the engine.
 The full Steyr 3.5L V8 petrol engine that powered the early variants is here with a drive train leading to the drive wheels. A little wiring harness is all one would need.

The cabin is finely detailed, and as you can see here, it can be constructed separately from the rest of the kit. The interior has all of the controls, linkages, and instruments that the real thing had.

This kit should be available next month from MiniArt's distributors worldwide.

Here are the links for your own copy of the MiniArt Models Catalogue 2025
Check out the Miniart site for more info on all of their kits...