The Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (Heavy Military Tractor), or sWS for short, was a German World War II half-track flat-bed cargo vehicle used in various roles between 1943 and 1945. The unarmored models were used as supply vehicles and as tractors to haul things. The semi-armored version could mount a medium anti-aircraft gun while the fully armored model carried a 10 barrel rocket launcher (Nebelwerfer). Less than a thousand were built before the end of the war, but production continued after the war of an improved model in the Tatra plant in Czechoslovakia.

Rick Hoskinson built this model from an obsolete Roco model and extended the model to the correct overall length. Rick scratchbuilt the exhaust system, track guide horns, and front bumper. He also added grab bars to the cab sides, tow pintle, and license plate at the rear. Also added were a shovel, jack and Notek driving light to the front fenders. Rick cut down a railroad model freight car roof walk for the drop sides on the cargo bed. He painted the model with Modelmasters paint and weathered it with pastel chalks, dry pigments and art pencils. Finished with TL decals. The fuel drums are from Preiser.

Posted May 25, 2012