Hello Gents,

As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations we are releasing the following in 1/35th scale but
before I do I thought I would try something different.
Knowing how much you guys enjoy seeing masters from manufacturers I'm asking for your comments, constructive of course.
So what we have is the Auto-Union 'Katchen' gun tractor/ammo carrier and the 8cm PAW600 anti-tank gun both actually built late in the war.

My thanks for looking,
Gordon.

i love it please gordon cast it fast i need one of it

my best and congrats to 25th aniversary

Detlev

http://panzer-modell.de.tl/

SWEET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...Hi again.

Use the other kind of steel wheel. See here: http://tiger1.info/EN/SteelWheelClamps.html

You'll find them in the Dragon Late Tiger.

Looks great so far, Gordon! I remeber the conversation about these 2....please tell us Braillers you will make it also in our scale?

Would be nice to do both scales at once, cornering the market on these never-before-made kits in 2 scales and both actually were made late war to boot!

cheers,
Tony

PS: see you at T-N-T show in 4 months!!

but This is not a Kaetzchen and is an Vk 5.01. I have the article with drawings and photos for Panzer tracts. Except for the name, is really nice.

cheers.

VK 5.01 was designed initially as a Munitionschlepper and the layout was somewhat different than Gordon's (side access hatches to off load ammo, engine mounted across the rear).

The 2nd version (as modeled by Gordon) is the one that saw action and was photographed by the ETO and is initially found in the Tech Intell series, Vol. 1. It states that the vehicle was configured to be used for ammo transport AND as a prime mover. I believe this is stated by the ETO because there were bench seats inside like the other "Katzchen". This was where the gun crew sat, while they towed their artillery piece. We will see more as Gordon develops his Master Model for us.

-Tony

in the panzer-tracts 17, pag 20 to 25 appears how vk 5.01
Who have the correct info? I have the book, and appears this.

[IMG][/IMG]

The version for Gordon Brown is correct? and The info for Panzer tracts is incorrect? really is this?

Who have the reason?

cheers.

If panzer Tracts say its a VK 5.01 then thats good enough for me.
So my kit will be a VK 5.01 (Katchen).
My best, Gordon.

I agree, Gordon. I use Panzer Tracts text and photos as guides for building, as Tom Jentz always grabs the source archive photos and measures all the vehicles, verifing manufacturer's data, etc.

If you call it the VK 5.01 or a Kitten, either way I am buying it (or two) in small scale that is!

One suggestion will be to produce the VK 5.01 munitionschlepper version as well. I think it will be usefull for dioramas, etc.

I also have several more b/w photos of Kitten's that have the road wheel layout as yours depicts, but with some differences on the hull fronts and rear. Let me know if you are inteested in them. Maybe they are other firm's versions of it?

-Tony

all of the B/W photos show the trial version and there is no clear shot of the inside. The ETO write up about it said it was configured as a ammo vehicle or prime mover. If it is a prime mover, it needs to have bench seats for the gun crew.

I think the real question was the naming of it. And Gordon has already stated he will call it the VK 5.01 ("Katzchen").

If call "kaetzchen" to all trial vehicle used how munitionsschleper o APC in late time of war Have 4 variants. From me exist only 1 Kaetzchen and this based in 38t.


Appears other 3 in images 1 for BMM


other for Auto union


And the VK5.01

Cheers.

You are right, there were 4 versions (and thanks for posting the photos, these are the ones I told Gordon about a few minutes ago).

I have the same books you are referencing but I am at work so can't cross-reference other books I have on the Pz 38(t) from Spielberger and Schiffer Pubs, etc. so I am not sure of the origins of the origins of the nickname: "Katzchen" (little kitten). If "Katzchen" was only to describe the Pz 38(t) version, you would be 100% correct. But I am more inclined to believe it is the nickname given to describe this series of SPW, as made in prototype/trial vehicles by the 4 manufacturers.

Best regards,
Tony

This is not a What if. Because one o two trial vehicles was build. It`s a diferent thing. In the books, appears the nickname kaetzchen only for 38t version. This not says used for all vehicles with the same configuration used this name. Because this the 251 series was called Kaetzchen. From my opinion, this Vk 5.01 is an vehicle with your name, and not with the name to other.
I think this is more a publicity name for sells, what The real name for a vehicle.


cheers.

PD: what do you think? Sells more a "Kaetzchen" or an Vk 5.01? I think this is the reason for a Cromwell used this name is Pure commercial.

I would like to congratulate Cromwell Models on their 25th Anniversary and to thank them for producing so many beautiful models of subjects that are not normally available.

Cromwells new model of the VK 501 looks fantastic.

The VK 501 or Kaetzchen puzzle is interesting so I decided to examine the evidence we have available. Zeke already referred to Panzer Tracts No.17 Gerpanzerte Nachschub Fahrzeuge (Armoured Supply /Ammunition Vehicles). In this book Jentz and Doyle have given a lengthy and detailed coverage of the VK 501. There are several pages of the history of development and two complete multi-view sets of Hilary Doyles drawing. The first drawing shows the proposed initial design mentioned by Tony. The second drawing shows the VK 501 Trial vehicle that was produced. The photos show both versions. All the evidence in the primary documents reproduced by PT says that Weserhuette was the development company. There is NO mention of the firm Auto-Union or the name Kaetzchen so it is clear that the VK 501 has nothing to do with the latter.

An abandoned VK 501 Trial vehicle was found by the Allies in 1945 and is covered by the ETO Report No.286 and is reproduced in Tech Intell Volume 1 compiled by Jeffrey McKaughan Some of the photos in PT 17 are from this report.

Cromwell's nice model of the VK 501 appears to be based on Hilary Doyles second drawing.

The evidence on the Kaetzchen is in Panzer Tracts No.20-2 Paper Panzers. There is one of Doyles multi-view drawings of the Aufklaerungsfahrzeug Auto-Union which the text infers is based an Auto Union drawing of 1 June 1944. The text is brief but declares that this is Aufklaerungsfahrzeug is based on their (Auto Union) Kaetzchen. When you compare Doyles drawing of the VK 501 and his drawing of the Aufklaerungsfahrzeug Auto-Union (based on Kaetzchen) you can see that both vehicles are somewhat similar in appearance but the Auto Union is much larger and has many different components and layout.

Fred

Please, who posted for my email scan on this themes "VK 5.01/Kätzchen" from this publications (PzTracts) ? Pls...
THX
Braņo

Well done Gordon and my congratulations on the success of Cromwell. As for this, your latest offering, I am delighted it looks great. Gordon please continue to keep us all posted as I for one want one of these on my worktable as soon as they are released. Cheers Doug.

Hi Sticky.

25yrs Trading B***** H***, thats a long time for a cottage industry manufacturer. It just goes to show your doing some thing right.

I recall the first time I met you in Edinburgh at a Wargames show and obtained your Merkava and M109 both in 1/76th scale. Unfortunately both these kits are long gone, But I recall I was very very impressedwith the qualitt of the casting. This has led to a long term friendship, I cant recall the date but it must have been over 20 yrs ago now.

As Tony says I think it would be good to release this I Braille as well, As per our recent chat, I still think you should do it in Braille even thought its not my thing I think it would be a good seller.

One think not generally known is that it is also Gordon and Annes 25th Wedding anniverary on Monday as well, I am still amazed Anne puts up with Him. LOL, But with out the Support of Anne. Modelling would be a sadder hobby.

For those of you who are unlucky enough not to have met Anne she is a real star, great fun and always willing to laugh, Loves animals, curries and of course the odd tipple of a Wee Vodka.

Congrats to the both of you on both succes's.

All the Best for the Future.

Ian

to the two of you! (and of course to Cromwell Models...!)

-tony

Aw shucks, many thanks one and all.
1984 was quite a year for both of us, married, bought our first house, Anne opened a hairdressing salon and I started Cromwell Models.
I'm off now to buy Panzer Tracts.
Our thanks again, the Broons.