Riich Models Ŝkoda RSO Radschlepper Ost 1:35 – build review

Full Review with Dai Williams

Just before we get started, here’s a look at how it all turned out…

The subject of this project was the Riich Models 1:35th Scale Ŝkoda Radschlepper Ost from 2012.

The Ŝkoda Radschlepper Ost was designed in 1941 as a four-wheel drive heavy tractor to be used in the difficult conditions experienced by German troops serving on the Eastern Front.

It was notable for having enormous wheels almost five feet in diameter. However, as the wheels were narrow, they had a high ground pressure. This caused the vehicle to sink into soft ground and made it very difficult to control in icy conditions. Because of these problems the vehicle was not particularly successful in its intended role.

Despite this, over 200 examples were built between 1942 and 1944, though it was never actually used on the Eastern Front, with all of the vehicles serving in Normandy or The Netherlands.

The Riich Models kit contains around 280 plastic parts spread across nine sprues.

There is a clear sprue for the windows and the clear parts are free from deformities. A short length of fine chain and a length of nylon thread for the winch system are also supplied.

There is a small photo-etched brass sheet for some of the thinner detail parts. Some of these are tiny and for those with an aversion to using photo-etched brass there are unfortunately no plastic alternatives.

Slide moulding has been used in some areas which is always welcome. For example, the towing eyes for the winch cable have hollow ends rather than the slots often found on other kits.

Unfortunately, my kit suffered from problems with short mouldings on some of the parts making up the chassis. Luckily these were fairly easy to fix and disguise using plastic strip.

Markings are provided for five vehicles, one in early-war dark grey, two in the late-war dark yellow scheme and two with three-colour camouflage patterns.

Assembly…