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HyperScale Resource Guide No. 3Raupenschlepper
Ost by
Peter Hartup
Modelling the RSO in 1/35 Scale RSO/01
and /02 Reference Photographs
The RSO eventually served in a wide variety of roles. The original version had a pressed steel cab with a truck-like configuration. This was used for general transport duties. A drop-sided wooden-cab tractor designated the RSO/03 was also produced. Germany's desperation for mobile artillery led to the RSO being fitted with a 7.5cm PaK 40/1 anti-tank gun. The result was a lightweight, mobile but highly exposed anti-tank weapon. The RSO/PaK 40 combination was manufactured during 1943/44 and was primarily used to support anti-tank infantry units on the Eastern Front. A total of eighty-three were built.
The original RSO model in 1/35 was from Peerless/Max. This offered a Nebelwerfer and crew in addition to the basic vehicle. This RSO was a great kit for its day (over twenty years old now) and the only item that really let it down was its tracks. Fortunately, Italeri bought the Peerless Max moulds, so the company's products lived on after the name of the company had died. The basic steel-cab version from Italeri is stock number 227. It is listed in their current catalogue and widely available.
Recently Italeri added the RSO/03 "Einheits" wooden-cabbed tractor to the range. This kit also includes the old PaK 40 - this time being towed! Cookie Sewell has reviewed this new kit in detail on HyperScale. This kit should be hitting the hobby shop shelves any time now. A range of accessories are available for the compulsive detailer. The biggest problem with this family of kits are the vinyl tracks. The modeller has the choice of Model Kasten's workable tracks (stock number MDKSK-33 at around 2500¥); or for the longer pockets, Friulmodellismo's metal working tracks (FALT-29 at around US$40). Both track choices are suitable for any of the three RSO versions.
(RSO/03 image courtesy of Rob Plas)
Detail Photographs of the RSO/01 (10 Thumbnailed Images) These two RSO/01 vehicles are on display at the Auto und Techik Museum at Sinsheim in Germany. As can be seen, both vehicles are in immaculate condition, and appear to be runners.
In addition to Peter's images above, Rob Plas has supplied a couple of general views of two RSO/01s
Detail Photographs of the RSO/02 (15 Thumbnailed Images) Peter took the following photographs at the WTS Koblenz collection in Germany. Peter tells us that this is a marvellous collection, open to the public but part of the German Army. Koblenz houses working examples of just about everything the Wehrmacht ever used or tested, and is aimed at training service personnel in tecnical matters. The small arms collection has to be see to be believed. There are separate collections of tank gun sights, comms equipment and some artillery on display. The armour on display includes the RSO, Wespe, Panzerjager I (with the 4.7cm Czech anti-tank piece), Panzer IV, and a slew of modern vehicles such as MBT70 and a few experimental vehicles. Although the armour is on display is not as extensive as the Panzermuseum in Munster, what is there is immaculate and in working order - it has to be in order to fulfil its educational role for the Army!
More shots below of the driver's position, engine, the Pak 40 gun and its mount. Click to enlarge.
Photographs Copyright © 1998 by Peter
Hartup
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The modeller is in a pretty good position to depict an RSO in 1/35 scale
today. 
Next, Italeri released the RSO/02 self-propelled PaK 40. The kit maximises
existing Italeri moulds, as it uses parts from their old PaK 40 kit with a modified
cab/chassis. Apart from peculiar treadplate pattern and a general simplification of
details, this is a great little kit. Stock number is 355, and it is also widely available.
Eduard's brass-etched
detail set offers a wealth of detail to add to the RSO/01 steel cab version, although many
of the parts will be applicable to the "einheits" /03 version too. An
acetate instrument panel is included. The stock number is 35 112, and the cost should be
around US$12-$15.
