Krupp Protze Kfz.19 Radio Command Car

Bronco, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Andrew Judson

Background

The Krupp-Protze Kfz.69 was designed in 1929 as a 6x4 heavy field car for the German Army.  But changing priorities led to it being re-designed and produces as an artillery tractor.  The Krupp designation was L2H43 and the first examples left the factory in 1934, the early examples were powered by an air cooled 53hp 3.3 litre Krupp M302 engine. 

The body was designed to seat six - driver and assistant as well as the gun crew - with provision for ammunition and tools. 

This version was produced until 1936 when it was replaced by the L2H43 with a more powerful 60hp engine and slightly longer wheel base.  About 7,000 Krupp-Protze trucks were built with the majority being the Kfz. 69, with small numbers of other variants using the same chassis. 

Production ended in 1941 in favour of small half-track tractors with better off road mobility. 

Its main job was as an artillery tractor, but was also used in other roles such as personnel carrier, officer’s field car and as seen here, a radio command car.

FirstLook

Inside the box you will find 428 parts in total - nine sprues of light grey plastic, two in clear plastic, a fret of 47 photo etch parts, eight vinyl tyres, and a decal sheet with markings for three different vehicles.

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Thumbnail panels:

Two are in German Grey, and one in a Dark Yellow with Panzer Grey camouflage scheme.

Of course there is also a 19 page instruction booklet with 42 build stages and three pages of colour profiles and markings.

Looking more closely at the parts, they appear well detailed and clean, although care will be needed with some of the finer bits, and maybe a little sanding here and there.

What I really liked about this kit is that it is a wooden panelled variant, giving the modeller some excellent weathering possibilities.

There is also the fact that it has a full chassis with complete running gear and a very complete interior, including radios and stowage external shelves.

This leaves one with many ways of displaying the kit with doors opened, stowage compartments opened etc.

Conclusion

In summary, I think this is a great little kit and a fascinating variant of this vehicle. Well worth having in the collection. For me, as many know, I mainly build modern subjects, but this may be a near future build for me. Stay tuned!

Suitable for moderate modelling skills.

Thanks to Bronco for the sample http://www.cn-bronco.com/en/index.php