1/144 Me-163s and Scheuch Slepper - Matti`s Mini`s

1/144 Me-163s and Scheuch Slepper - Matti`s Mini`s
Matti's Mini's has been working on a number of interesting items, two of which that have caught my attention are the Me-163s and the Scheuch Slepper.

The Me-163s is a training version of the regular Me-163B with the rocket motor and fuel tanks removed enabling the installation of a second seat and revised canopy in order that pilots could learn critical landing skills. Interestingly the Russians captured and test flew a number of these 163S variants after the war.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Me_163

The kit here is presented simply the take off dolley wheels, main fuselage and a canopy, as all three are in the FUD (Fine Ultra Detail) material from Shapeways it means the canopy is opaque  However, I feel the reason why this piece is separate is that it may provide the option for a 'heat bashed' canopy to be made (this would require a little work then to add some interior detailing.

http://www.shapeways.com/model/774367/1-144-me-163s.html

The Scheuch Slepper is a more unusual device, design to assist in the handling of the Me-163 on airfields  derived from a pre-war agricultural 'tractor' it was adapted and with with a trailing wheel are tow rope or bar, or the one of two versions of a hydraulic trailer with either lifting arms or inflatable bladders, the former and one most commonly associated with this aircraft.
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/deckarudo/sets/72157629402189596/

The Schllepper should also work well with your Project Flieger Me-163B bonus kit, and may even be able to handle the Project Flieger Me-163C variant (although this is not confirmed to-date). It is presented here in three parts giving your the ability to configure the kit in one of two ways.

http://www.shapeways.com/model/774414/1-144-scheuch-schlepper.html

Both items are available separately to purchase.

It would also be happy pulling a V-1 on its wheeled dolley/trailer (see V-1 option on KG-144) as shown on the link below:
http://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/me163/equipment37.htm

Additional interesting items are available directly from Matti's Mini's:
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/mattisminis

1/144 SWS (Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper) - Waffen144

1/144 SWS (Schwerer Wehrmachtsschlepper) - Waffen144
Waffen144 have put out a range of SWS items in different configurations and colours, if  you interested hit the links below!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwerer_Wehrmachtschlepper

15cm Nebelwerfer 42 auf sWS (camo) - $18.60
15cm Nebelwerfer 42 auf sWS (yellow) - $17.60
sWS w/ panzer-kabine (camo) - $17.60
3.7cm flak 43/1 auf sWS (yellow) - $19.60

Available: December 2011
from Waffen144 eShop

1/144 VK501 Series Munitionsschlepper & PaK 43 - KG144

1/144 VK501 Series Gepanzerter Munitionsschlepper & PaK 43

Gepanzerter Munitionsschlepper

The next KG144 release is an item  subject to many a debate and conflicting texts on the Internet, in part due to a number of companies being commissioned to produce designs, and also evolving those designs.

This configuration is based on various sources, and reflects closely the original brief issued to the Germand and Czech manufacturers for a pure munitions schlepper. It is presented here with a PaK 43 cannon.

In January 1943 the lesser known company “Weserhutte” was asked to design an armoured ammunition carrier (VK 501) for the Werhmacht. It was planned that mass production should start in 1944, however conflicting demand for resources on the German industrial war machine caused this to be delayed.

Designed to have a weigh 6 tons, it utilised the proven 6-Cylinder Maybach HL42 providing 100HP and a speed of 65 Kilometres per hour, transverse mounted. The armour thickness was specified at 20 millimetres, and was capable of stopping a 7.62 round.

The payload capacity was 1,000 kilograms providing a range of options:

- 10 Boxes (1500 rounds) of 7.62mm Ammunition

- 32 Boxes (96 rounds) of 8cm Mortar Rounds

- 15 boxes (45 Rounds) of 7.5cm s.IG Ammunitions

- 22 Rounds of 15cm s.IG Ammunition

Production was approved late 1943 for: 6000 vehicles for the infantry, and 2000 for the artillery.


PAK-43 (Panzerabwehrkanone 43)

At the time Rheinmetall was developing the Flak 41, the Krupp's company was also competing for production orders with their 8.8 cm Gerät 42 proposal. The Krupps design was not accepted for production as an anti-aircraft gun, however development continued and resulted in the dreaded 8.8 cm PaK 43 anti-tank gun and 8.8 cm KwK 43 tank guns.

Pak 43 (abbreviation of Panzerabwehrkanone 43) used a new single axle mount with the gun much closer to the ground, making it far easier to hide and also harder to hit. It was had a much stronger and more angled armour shield to provide better protection for gunners.

All versions this design were able to penetrate about 200 mm of armour at 1,000 m, allowing it to defeat the armour of any contemporary tank.

The standard armament of the Tiger II, the KwK 43 tank gun, was essentially the PaK 43 externally modified to fit into a turret.
Total production: 2,098 (from 1943 to 1945)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8.8_cm_Flak_18/36/37/41#Pak_43_and_KwK_43

Available: October 2011  from KG144@CGD eBay Store
Price: $19.90