Krupp L 2 H 143 “Schnauzer”
Revell 1:76 Scale Vehicle Review
The Revell 1:76 scale light, commercially available, all-terrain truck, Krupp L 2 H 143 “Schnauzer” is mistakenly advertised as the Krupp “Protze”, even though the typical bodywork of the Kfz. 69 artillery prima mover is missing here.
Contents
- Kfz. 70, l.gl.Lkw(o), Krupp L 2 H 143 “Schnauzer”
- 3.7 cm PaK 36 Anti-Tank Gun
- Driver, seated
- Diorama Base
Evaluation
While there is probably nothing wrong with using a standard Kfz. 70 light truck to tow a tiny anti-tank gun like the 3.7 cm PaK 36, the vehicle in this set is clearly not the Krupp L 2 H 143 “Protze”, Kfz. 69, artillery prime mover advertised on the box cover. In fact, the Krupp L 2 H 143 “Schnauzer” is the more useful vehicle for wargamers and collectors, and manufacturers might just want to stop mislabeling this model kit.
The vehicle lights consist of headlights with Schlitzblende covers, and the Tarnscheinwerfer camouflage driving light. The Abstandsrücklicht, Bremsschlussleuchte, and rack jack are missing.
The missing Peilstangen guide rods on the front mudguards may be scratchbuilt from 0.3 mm piano wire.
Compatible with Airfix, Fujimi, Nitto, and VAC-U-CAST.
Painting Guide
The 4-page painting guide included in the instructions suggests three camouflage patterns, of which the dark grey paint scheme appears to be the most useful for wargamers.
- Graphite Grey RAL 7024, 1935–1939
- Body: Tank Grey, Revell 361.78
- Canvas: Olive Brown RAL 7008, Revell 361.86
Introduced in 1935, two years before the Krupp L 2 H 143 “Schnauzer” went into production, RAL 7024 »Graphite Grey« is the most useful of the three suggested camouflage patterns. The dark grey, or a stretched and cheapened medium grey base colour is a good start even if the “Schnauzer” is to be painted as an Afrika Korps vehicle later.
- Brown RAL 8020, 25 March 1942
- Body: Africa Brown, Revell 361.17
- Canvas: 7 × Revell 361.79 Blue Grey and 3 × Revell 361.37 Brick Red
When the Afrika Korps was formed on 11 January 1941, any Krupp L 2 H 143 “Schnauzer” attached to the initial contingents were already in service with the Wehrmacht, and their RAL 7024 »Graphite Grey« or medium grey livery would now be painted over in the beige grey »Einheitsfarbe« standard colour or RAL 8000 »Yellow Brown«. Any replacements destined for Afrika after March 1942 would be repainted Brown RAL 8020.
- 4-colour? Buntfarbenanstrich, 1932
- Africa Brown, Revell 361.17
- Dark Green, Revell 361.68
- Brick Red, Revell 361.37
- Beige, Revell 361.89
While the attractive 1932 vintage 3-colour Buntfarbenanstrich wavy pattern – portrayed as a 4-colour pattern in the kit instructions – works well for Sd.Kfz. 231 and Sd.Kfz. 232 6-wheeled heavy armoured reconnaissance vehicles manufactured from 1930 onwards, it must be ruled out for this particular vehicle, because the Krupp L 2 H 143 “Schnauzer” was manufactured from 1937 to 1941, i.e. years after the Buntfarbenanstrich had been superseded by the graphite grey paint scheme.
The Kfz. 70 is the more interesting variant of the light, commercially available, all-terrain truck Krupp L 2 H 143. The Krupp “Schnauzer” is an excellent Gruppenfahrzeug section/squad carrier for motorized Panzergrenadiers (mot.).