LandWasser Schlepper Mid-production

Land Wasser Schlepper - Mid Production
Ref. # CB-35015
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Bronco
Price: Unknown
Material: Styrene & PE

To see higher resolution photographs used in this review, please see the GALLERY ALBUM.

Phil Greenwood:
In 1936, Rheinmetall-Borsig AG received an order from the German army general staff to develop a fully-tracked amphibious tractor. After working with various other firms, the Land-Wasser-Schlepper was built. Powered by a Maybach HL120 V12 engine, the LWS could achieve 35km/hr on road and 12km/hr in water. The total weight was 17 tons and up to 20 soldiers could be accommodated. The normal function of the LWS was as a tug boat to be used during amphibious landings. In this role the LWS would tow an 18.000 kg capacity floating trailer. This trailer could carry supplies and equipment, including vehicles as large as the SdKfz.9 halt-track. The trailer could be towed on shore by the LWS and maneuvered for unloading. Development of the LWS proceeded quite slowly until 1940. when Operation SEELOWE (Invasion of England) was being planned. The seven pre-production LWS vehicles were extensively tested for amphibious assault across the English Channel. However testing showed that they could only be used in calm in-shore waters. The lack of armor protection was also a concern. When SEELOWE was cancelled early In 1941 the LWS project was also ended. The LWS did serve in Russia and was employed during river crossings.

Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3, Pic 4, Pic 5, Pic 6, Pic 7, Pic 8, Pic 9, Pic 10, Pic 11,

The kit

It's here! An awful lot of people have been looking forward to this one, partly because it's a modern kit of such an unusual vehicle that's only be seen in resin before, and also because it's by Bronco, who are fast making a name for themselves by producing high quality kits of either Allied or unusual vehicles.

You won't surprised to learn that I have no references available whatsoever for this vehicle, so won't be looking at any dimensions etc. Let's just take a look at the kit and see if it whet's your appetite!

Inside the box there are nine large sprues of tan coloured styrene, and one smaller transparent one. There's also a separate one-piece lower hull and a separate deck. Add to this a decal sheet, photo-etched fret and a fabric Kreigsmarine flag (I think!), and there you have it!

Pic 26, Pic 27, Pic 28, Pic 29, Pic 30, Pic 31, Pic 32, Pic 33, Pic 34, Pic 35, Pic 36,

The first thing that strikes you looking at the sprues is that the parts are cleanly moulded. Very little flash, and no ejector pin marks in awkward places...which is a huge achievement given that the upper hull walls and roof has extensive detail moulded on both sides!

The detail on the lower hull is incredible. Extremely fine rivet detail has been moulded in place, and although there are some ejector pin marks on the inside, these will be fully covered when the model is built. The sides of the hull appear to bend slightly inwards, but given their length this is to be expected, and when I tried a test-fit of the deck, the fit was absolutely perfect! In fact, if you follow the instructions, fitting the large recessed deck is the very first construction step, everything else being built onto this large hull/deck assembly.

Somewhat more usually, the next step is to assemble and fit the running gear...as well as the screw assembly! So that will make it a bit different then! Although the instructions don't detail fitting the tracks at this early stage, they are of the individual link type, and will need removing from the multiple small sprues they're supplied on (Pic 14), and cleaning up. Careful clean up will be worth it, as if you look closely at pic 44 you'll see how nicely these are moulded, and at last...a set of workable styrene injection moulded, individual track links included with a kit!

On the deck of the vehicle, towards the rear, we're given two very nice PE screens to fit along with separate frames. When you fit these it will be worth carefully removing the plastic from underneath them, although be aware that this will leave a space where the engine should be. It's a nice option for when the inevitable aftermarket sets start appearing though.

Pic 37, Pic 38, Pic 39, Pic 40, Pic 41, Pic 42, Pic 43, Pic 44, Pic 45, Pic 46, Pic 47,

Construction continues with a wealth of detail to fill up the cavernous interior. As I mentioned earlier, even the cabin walls are fully detailed on both sides, since their inside surfaces will be fairly visible on the completed kit. This presents a problem with fitting all that transparent plastic to represent portholes and windscreen, but the Bronco moulding on these parts is superb! They've moulded the portholes integrally with the riveted surround frames, so if you're extremely careful when masking and painting, these will really look excellent! The kit can be built as either a Type A or Type B vehicle, yet having no references, the only visible difference I can see between the two is the location of a narrow slot on the rear upper hull. It actually looks like a slot for an indicator arm...although there are four, two at front and two at rear, it's only the position of the rearmost two that change between the types. Bronco have cleverly allowed for this by moulding both integrally with the hull, and invisible from the outside, but depending on the one you want removed, you can 'press-out' the one you need from the inside.

There's so much internal detail, that it's not until we get to page nine of the instructions that we are to begin assembling the external fittings. Here again, the vehicle looks really 'busy' with a wealth of detail, and will need some great painting and weathering to make the most of it.

Pic 48, Pic 49, Pic 50, Pic 51, Pic 52, Pic 53, Pic 54, Pic 55, Pic 56, Pic 57, Pic 58, Pic 59, Pic 60, Pic 61, Pic 62, Pic 63,

Marking Options

The marking schemes offered I found a tad confusing. On page 14 there is a full page diagram showing 'LWS1071' in a three colour camouflage scheme, which appears to be a Type B. The final page shows one Type A and one Type B Early, and then 'LWS1071 - Late' again marked as 'Repainted'. Looks the same to me? Anyway...you enjoy the pics, and I'll go have a lie down and think about it.

Conclusion

WOW! Seriously. There is so much detail in this kit that it is absolutely begging to be built. The only downside I can see is that the rope bumpers shown around the hull on the box art are not included, so you'll either have to make your own or wait for aftermarket ones. I have no idea of the retail price as of yet, but if necessary you can always sell your wife's car? Seriously recommended! Great kit!

Thanks to Bronco for the review sample!

For details on this and all other Bronco kits, please see their website: Bronco Models