The Second World War was known, among other things, as a study in supply and mobility. A great number of vehicles were developed, during the war, for differing purposes. Germany realized the importance of this very early, and demonstrated effective use of support vehicles during their successful "Blitzkriegs", at the beginning of the conflict. Of the many vehicles produced, the German Sd.Kfz 7 Half-Tracked Prime Mover stands out as one of the most successful. This 8-ton semi-tracked vehicle was used primarily by artillery units to tow the well known 88mm anti-aircraft gun and the 150mm heavy field cannon. Developed by the Krauss-Maffei company, the basic construction of a vehicle used a remodeled ladder type frame from a conventional truck; a front suspension system consisting of a transverse leaf spring and track rod; and a rear suspension system with leaf springss and torsion bars that were matched to compound track rollers typical of German military vehicles of the time. The Maybach made powerplant provided 140 horsepower, giving a top speed of approximately 50km/h. Variations were produced, which included the self-propelled flak units, mounting a 20mm or 37mm anti-aircraft gun, and a mobile launch control post for the V-2 rocket, late in the conflict. With its excellent versatility and reliability, this 8-ton half-track has been regarded as a masterpiece in military vehicle design.
The sturdy form of the vehicle is recreated with accuracy, including the complex wheel placement. Front wheels are steerable. The driver's position features details such as instrumentation and pedals for an authentic look. The builder can choose whether to assemble the kit with canvas hood up or down. The kit comes with no less than 8 figures which can depicted in a variety of relaxed poses. Decals and full instructions are supplied.