In Box Review of Bandai 1/30th Scale
German Pz.Kpw. IV "Heuschrecke -10" or "Grasshopper -10"
Kit no. 4254H-600
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
HISTORY:
The Heuschrecke 10 (English: Grasshopper 10) was a German prototype self-propelled gun and Waffenträger (English: "Weapon carrier") developed by Krupp-Gruson between 1943 and 1944. The official designation of the vehicle was 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger Geschützwagen IVb and was to be built in Magdeburg, Germany. The Heuschrecke featured a removable turret which could be deployed as a pillbox or towed behind the vehicle as an artillery piece.
Krupp produced only three prototypes from 1942–1943. The Heuschrecke initially made use of a shortened Panzerkampfwagen IV (Panzer IV) chassis, but it was later switched to the Geschützwagen IV chassis, developed for the Hummel self-propelled gun. Mass production of the Heuschrecke 10 was scheduled to start in February 1945, but never occurred.
Towards the end of September 1939, Krupp designed the "first real self-propelled artillery piece", the Sonderkraftfahrzeug 165/1 (Special Purpose Vehicle 165/1, abbreviated Sd.Kfz. 165/1). The Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was similar in design to the Heuschrecke, but did not have the chassis-mounted launching mechanism to remove the turret.
After a series of tests, the Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was accepted by the Wehrmacht in early January 1940. In 1941, Krupp built prototype vehicles armed with the 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer 18/1 L/28, abbreviated leFH 18/1 L/28) cannon based on a modified Panzer IV chassis.
The prototypes were fitted with a smaller six-cylinder Maybach HL66P engine, which had a power capacity of 188 hp (140 kW). Although 200 vehicles were ordered, Krupp completed only 10 prototypes in the final four months of 1942.These saw service on the Eastern Front.
The design phase of the Heuschrecke began in 1942, when Krupp conceived a new type of self-propelled artillery. In 1943, Krupp produced three prototypes, with serial numbers from 582501 to 582503, which were designated as either Heuschrecke 10 or Heuschrecke IVb.
The Heuschrecke designed by Krupp was similar in design to a vehicle built by Alkett and Rheinmetall-Borsig, the 105 mm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV, which was ready in March 1944. The competing Rheinmetall-Borsig model had overall slightly better performance than that of Krupps' vehicle.
It was decided, however, to utilize an alternate chassis on the Rheinmetall-Borsig model, that of the Panzer IV. Production was to start in October 1944, but the chassis choice was changed to that of the Geschützwagen IV in December 1944. Production, in Magdeburg, was then intended to commence in February 1945, but none were produced.
The Nazi high command thought that the production of the Heuschrecke would disrupt the production of the needed Panzers. The quantity of materials required for the construction of weapon-carriers were so great that companies like Krupp were told to halt production.
The majority of weapon-carriers never left the production stage. The Heuschrecke was seen as interesting by the General Inspector of the Panzer Troops, Heinz Guderian, however, Guderian agreed that their development was not worth the disruption to tank production. The development of the Heuschrecke was therefore canceled in February 1943.
The distinguishing feature of the Heuschrecke was its removable turret. A lifting gantry attached to the chassis could remove the turret for use on concrete fortifications or the ground. Although the howitzer could equally be fired from the chassis, the vehicle was designed to carry the artillery piece to a firing emplacement for removal before usage.
The turret less vehicle could be used as an ammunition carrier or recovery vehicle. The prototype turret was armed with the 105 mm leFH 18/1 L/28. The production models, however, were to have the 105 mm leFH 43 L/28.
The Heuschrecke 10 (English: Grasshopper 10) was a German prototype self-propelled gun and Waffenträger (English: "Weapon carrier") developed by Krupp-Gruson between 1943 and 1944. The official designation of the vehicle was 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger Geschützwagen IVb and was to be built in Magdeburg, Germany. The Heuschrecke featured a removable turret which could be deployed as a pillbox or towed behind the vehicle as an artillery piece.
Krupp produced only three prototypes from 1942–1943. The Heuschrecke initially made use of a shortened Panzerkampfwagen IV (Panzer IV) chassis, but it was later switched to the Geschützwagen IV chassis, developed for the Hummel self-propelled gun. Mass production of the Heuschrecke 10 was scheduled to start in February 1945, but never occurred.
Towards the end of September 1939, Krupp designed the "first real self-propelled artillery piece", the Sonderkraftfahrzeug 165/1 (Special Purpose Vehicle 165/1, abbreviated Sd.Kfz. 165/1). The Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was similar in design to the Heuschrecke, but did not have the chassis-mounted launching mechanism to remove the turret.
After a series of tests, the Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was accepted by the Wehrmacht in early January 1940. In 1941, Krupp built prototype vehicles armed with the 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer 18/1 L/28, abbreviated leFH 18/1 L/28) cannon based on a modified Panzer IV chassis.
The prototypes were fitted with a smaller six-cylinder Maybach HL66P engine, which had a power capacity of 188 hp (140 kW). Although 200 vehicles were ordered, Krupp completed only 10 prototypes in the final four months of 1942.These saw service on the Eastern Front.
The design phase of the Heuschrecke began in 1942, when Krupp conceived a new type of self-propelled artillery. In 1943, Krupp produced three prototypes, with serial numbers from 582501 to 582503, which were designated as either Heuschrecke 10 or Heuschrecke IVb.
The Heuschrecke designed by Krupp was similar in design to a vehicle built by Alkett and Rheinmetall-Borsig, the 105 mm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV, which was ready in March 1944. The competing Rheinmetall-Borsig model had overall slightly better performance than that of Krupps' vehicle.
It was decided, however, to utilize an alternate chassis on the Rheinmetall-Borsig model, that of the Panzer IV. Production was to start in October 1944, but the chassis choice was changed to that of the Geschützwagen IV in December 1944. Production, in Magdeburg, was then intended to commence in February 1945, but none were produced.
The Nazi high command thought that the production of the Heuschrecke would disrupt the production of the needed Panzers. The quantity of materials required for the construction of weapon-carriers were so great that companies like Krupp were told to halt production.
The majority of weapon-carriers never left the production stage. The Heuschrecke was seen as interesting by the General Inspector of the Panzer Troops, Heinz Guderian, however, Guderian agreed that their development was not worth the disruption to tank production. The development of the Heuschrecke was therefore canceled in February 1943.
The distinguishing feature of the Heuschrecke was its removable turret. A lifting gantry attached to the chassis could remove the turret for use on concrete fortifications or the ground. Although the howitzer could equally be fired from the chassis, the vehicle was designed to carry the artillery piece to a firing emplacement for removal before usage.
The turret less vehicle could be used as an ammunition carrier or recovery vehicle. The prototype turret was armed with the 105 mm leFH 18/1 L/28. The production models, however, were to have the 105 mm leFH 43 L/28.
THE KIT:
Bandai is an old prolific model company based in Tokyo, Japan. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a 3 man crew off-loading the turret of the tank onto a stell pallet. A officer is looing through binoculars. Another Heuschrecke and 2 Tiger tanks are passing by in the background and 2 Stuka's are flying over head.
The box art says that when the kit is motorized it is driven by a RE-26 motor (not included in this kit) and 2 UM-2 batteries (also not included).
One side panel repeats this with a small color repeat of the box art and a one-paragraph history of the tank. It says that the kit includes 3 crewmen and 1 infantryman (also not in the kit) and a battle field display base (which is in the kit).
Bandai is an old prolific model company based in Tokyo, Japan. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a 3 man crew off-loading the turret of the tank onto a stell pallet. A officer is looing through binoculars. Another Heuschrecke and 2 Tiger tanks are passing by in the background and 2 Stuka's are flying over head.
The box art says that when the kit is motorized it is driven by a RE-26 motor (not included in this kit) and 2 UM-2 batteries (also not included).
One side panel repeats this with a small color repeat of the box art and a one-paragraph history of the tank. It says that the kit includes 3 crewmen and 1 infantryman (also not in the kit) and a battle field display base (which is in the kit).
The other side panel has 3 color box arts of other AFV kits that Bandai manufactures in 1/30th scale:
1. A German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G
2. A German Tank-destroyer 4 long model "Jadpanzer IV"
3. A German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf F2
No kit numbers are shown for these.
1. A German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G
2. A German Tank-destroyer 4 long model "Jadpanzer IV"
3. A German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf F2
No kit numbers are shown for these.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 4 dark-gray trees in stapled-shut clear cello bags, loose dark-gray hull tub and hull roof, poly caps, gray vinyl treads. There is a gear box and metal rods, length of white string (all excess) in a stapled-shut clear cello bag. The decal sheet and a clear vacuformed diorama base and the instructions.
There are 2 instruction sheets in the kit.
One is 7 1/2" x 10 3/4" page format. It is accordion-folded into 6 pages.
Page 1 has a black and white illustration of the box art subject with a one-paragraph history of the tank and Bandai's stree address in Tokyo, Japan.
Page 2 begins with READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instruction and figure assembly instructions (this is redundant as there are NO figures in my kit) over first 2 assembly steps.
Page 3 to the top of page 6 give a total of 10 assembly steps.
Step 10 is the painting instructions, with one side profile.
The bottom of the page 6 is the parts trees illustrations and a list of the names of the kit parts. Glue is listed here, but none is in the kit.
The 2nd instruction sheet is a single sheet printed on both sides in 7 1/2" x 10 3/4" format.
The face side is in black and white. It begins with painting instructions and show figures that are not in this kit, over 5 black and white box arts of other AFV kits that Bandai manufactures:
1. A 1/30th scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G
2. A 1/30th scale German Jagdpanzer IV
3. A 1/30th scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV "Heuschrecke" (this kit)
4. A 1/15th Scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 medium tank
5. A 1/15th scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H Assult gun tank
The reverse side of the sheet is printed in color on slick surface. There are 6 profiles shown.
1. A Heuschrecke in a base of sand with emerald-green spots. It has an oval with a black dog on it and German cross on the turret sides.
2. A Heuschrecke in overall sand with the same markings as the first one.
3. A Pz.Kpfw. IV with a regular turret in a camouflage of sand, emerald-green and red brown, with just the German cross on the forward end of the hull sides.
4. Another Pz.Kpfw. IV with a regular turret in panzer-gray with black 702 on the turret sides and a German cross on the forward end of the hull sides.
5. A Pz.Kpfw. IV long, destroyer "Jagdpanzer 4" in a base of sand with red-brown bands. It has a German cross followed by a white 504 on the sides.
6. Another Jagdpanzer 4 in overall winter white-wash with 4 black kill rings around the gun barrel and the same German cross with white 504 like number 5 above.
Why these last 4 are shown is beyond me? You cannot build any of them from this kit.
The hull tub has motorization holes to be filled in it to be able to create a static model from this kit. There is no motor in the kit or batteries as already said.
Trees are not alphabetized, but are illustrated in the instructions and do have part number tabs next to the parts on them.
The first dark-gray tree holds: spare tracks, tools. jerry cans, tow rings, antenna, Notek lamp, jack etc. (61 parts)
This kit contains 4 dark-gray trees in stapled-shut clear cello bags, loose dark-gray hull tub and hull roof, poly caps, gray vinyl treads. There is a gear box and metal rods, length of white string (all excess) in a stapled-shut clear cello bag. The decal sheet and a clear vacuformed diorama base and the instructions.
There are 2 instruction sheets in the kit.
One is 7 1/2" x 10 3/4" page format. It is accordion-folded into 6 pages.
Page 1 has a black and white illustration of the box art subject with a one-paragraph history of the tank and Bandai's stree address in Tokyo, Japan.
Page 2 begins with READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instruction and figure assembly instructions (this is redundant as there are NO figures in my kit) over first 2 assembly steps.
Page 3 to the top of page 6 give a total of 10 assembly steps.
Step 10 is the painting instructions, with one side profile.
The bottom of the page 6 is the parts trees illustrations and a list of the names of the kit parts. Glue is listed here, but none is in the kit.
The 2nd instruction sheet is a single sheet printed on both sides in 7 1/2" x 10 3/4" format.
The face side is in black and white. It begins with painting instructions and show figures that are not in this kit, over 5 black and white box arts of other AFV kits that Bandai manufactures:
1. A 1/30th scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G
2. A 1/30th scale German Jagdpanzer IV
3. A 1/30th scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV "Heuschrecke" (this kit)
4. A 1/15th Scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 medium tank
5. A 1/15th scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H Assult gun tank
The reverse side of the sheet is printed in color on slick surface. There are 6 profiles shown.
1. A Heuschrecke in a base of sand with emerald-green spots. It has an oval with a black dog on it and German cross on the turret sides.
2. A Heuschrecke in overall sand with the same markings as the first one.
3. A Pz.Kpfw. IV with a regular turret in a camouflage of sand, emerald-green and red brown, with just the German cross on the forward end of the hull sides.
4. Another Pz.Kpfw. IV with a regular turret in panzer-gray with black 702 on the turret sides and a German cross on the forward end of the hull sides.
5. A Pz.Kpfw. IV long, destroyer "Jagdpanzer 4" in a base of sand with red-brown bands. It has a German cross followed by a white 504 on the sides.
6. Another Jagdpanzer 4 in overall winter white-wash with 4 black kill rings around the gun barrel and the same German cross with white 504 like number 5 above.
Why these last 4 are shown is beyond me? You cannot build any of them from this kit.
The hull tub has motorization holes to be filled in it to be able to create a static model from this kit. There is no motor in the kit or batteries as already said.
Trees are not alphabetized, but are illustrated in the instructions and do have part number tabs next to the parts on them.
The first dark-gray tree holds: spare tracks, tools. jerry cans, tow rings, antenna, Notek lamp, jack etc. (61 parts)
The second dark-gray tree holds: the turret top and bottom, hatch lids, perforated turret lifting beams that become a pallet etc.(12 parts)
The third dark-gray tree holds: the main gun halves, an ammo case, pulley wheels etc. (25 parts)
The fourth dark-gray tree holds: road wheels, idler wheels, drive sprockets etc. (56 parts)
Next is the dark-gray individual hull tub and hull roof parts.
There are 32 poly caps.
The 2 lengths of gray vinyl tracks and the excess metal gear box, string and rods come next.
The decal sheet and the clear vacuformed diorama base complete the kit's contents.
This is a nicely detailed kit. I only wish that there had been some metal chains included for the hoist. I intend to find some and guy them to use on this model.
Recommended.