Land-Wasser-Schlepper (Middle Production)

Plastic kit from BRONCO, for the asembly of a German amphibious vehicle Land-Wasser-Schlepper (Middle Production) of WW II, on 1/35 scale. Includes sprues with plastic parts, clear parts, assembly instructions, P.E. parts and decals.

In 1936, the German Rheinmetall Group received instructions from the military high-level to develop a full-track amphibious transport vehicle. After the efforts of several subordinate companies, LWS was finally successfully produced. The vehicle is propelled by a Maybach HL120 V12 engine, with a speed of 35km/h on land and 12km/h on water. The total weight of the vehicle is 17 tons and can carry 20 soldiers. The design of the LWS is mainly used for towing the pontoon and transportation equipment during landing operations. The development of this kind of amphibious transport vehicle was still very slow until 1940. When the "Operation Sea Lion" attacking Britain was to be carried out, the Germans had only seven LWS available for training for crossing the English Channel. After testing, the LWS was found to be unsuitable for training in deep water, and its weak armor was also one of its shortcomings. When "Operation Sea Lion" was later cancelled in early 1941, the development of LWS came to an end. Even so, the remaining LWS was sent to the Eastern Front for use.