1/35 Bergepanzer 38(t) Hetzer from LZ models

Good afternoon guys
Bergepanzerwagen 38(t) / Bergerpanzer 38(t) was a recovery vehicle based on Hetzer’s base, with lower open-top superstructure, manufactured by BMM company in Prague. The plans were approved in September 1944 and called for production of 170 vehicles until the end of 1944. In fact just 101 vehicles were built. To meet the production plans it was decided to convert 64 Summer production´s Hetzer into armoured recovery vehicles, but it is unknown how many were actually converted. Production was much slower than plans, and total number of about 180 vehicles was produced until the end of the war. The Bergepanzer was equipped with two-ton folding jib crane used to handle engines and other heavy components. Additionally the recovery vehicle was equipped with five-ton winch of Baumgarten company. The winch was driven by the vehicle´s engine through transmission system. At the end a blade was instaled at the rear of the hull, but it is again unclear how many vehicles were equipped with it. There were also some development works to install the blade at the front of the vehicle, as seen in the company blueprints, but probably these plans were never realized.
LZ models bring a coversion to be used with Tamiya middle Hetzer kit or with Dragon´s late version. There will be also actually two kits, first an early version of Hetzer with the crane (can be mounted on in working or disassembled position), which will be more suitable for Tamiya kit, but will fit also on Dragon´s one, and then a late version of Hetzer with crane and blade, suitable for Dragon´s late kit, but also side late wheels as an option will be provided for guys having Tamiya kits bought already
Here are some "sprues shots", though the most of multiple pieces still have to be copied, and some parts cleaned and polished

 

The conversion kit contains also very complex PE lot on three sheets, cooper rope, fine chain and balsa wood stick. Hope I have nothing forgoten

 

More to come soon

Cheers

Libor

Hi Libor

Great choice of subject.

This vehicle has been a fascination with German armour builders. As you said, little info exists on how the interior was constructed. I built a model of this vehicle close to 20 years ago.

@ the time there was very little info about this vehicle, even today with the internet things haven't much improved.

I always wondered how the crew transferred the drive to the winch.

I know that the Drive shaft ran through the vehicle, but how did it make the winch drive turn.

I had some ideas @ the time that were speculative. I talked to Tom Jentz @ a AMPS show where I showed the model; & showed him my ideas, He said that it probably wasn't too far off of what they did. He said @ that time, no one knew how it transferred power.

If you are interested I could post a few photos & we could have some fun trying to figure out on how it worked.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Ron

Hi Ron

many thanks buddy - I will appreciate any pictures you add.

I have got some factory drawings - very poor quality for sure - and they show developement of later, but never realized vehicle with the winch exis deflected by 20°. However I guess that already produced and available winch and other parts would be used, so there is a big chance I could get close to the real thing by following these drawings. I have made similar drive shaft, and only one thing to be done later is a piece where this drive shaft will be connected to the gear box - and this is unfortunately not visible much in the drawing - it shows somehow there was a small box mounted on the gear box and the shaft was connected into that - it is very similar to things what I have seen in my book with pictures of earlier conversion set produced by "New Connection"

I have not done this box yet, and neither the main drive shaft tube - I will do these parts during test build to get perfect fit. If you have any ideas, they will be very welcome to make the things as accurate as possible

Cheers

Libor

Yeah, forgot the drawings.....

 

Cheers

Libor

Libor

 

Guess who's in for the build. You don't choose the easy, do you. Looking forward to a quality conversion.

 

Cheers

 

Tim

Hi Libor,

 

Great progress! This is looking really good.

 

Robin

Great looking conversion, very clean and detailed. Will Dragons Hetzer command vehicle DR6060 work with this?

 

Waiting for the Blog and the kit release...

I'm in for sure, never seen one of these before

Hi Libor,

 

The parts look superb

Regards

Mike

Hi Libor

I shall follow with interest.

Jim