The SdKfz 124 Wespe (German for "wasp") was developed as a means to provide panzer divisions with their own integral artillery support (along with its larger cousin the Hummel), and was created using the obsolete Panzer II hull along with the standard 105mm howitzer of the German army, in an open casemate at the rear of the hull superstructure. The superstructure was lightly armoured, with 10 mm armour plate (enough to stop small arms fire) and was open at the top and to the rear.
Entering service in early 1943, the Wespe fought its first battle at Kursk, where it very quickly proved its worth through reliability and effectiveness. The Wespe proved so effective in fact that all other production of vehicles based on the Panzer II hull was cancelled, and redirected to Wespe production. Production ran until late 1944, when the factories were over run, though the vehicle remained in service until 1945, though does not appear to have seen any post war service.
The majority of vehicles served on the Eastern front, however they also fought in the western and Italian theatres, though entered service too late to see service in Tunisia or Africa, and were assigned to the first battalion of artillery regiments of the Panzer divisions of all branches of the German military.
It also played a large role during the Allied invasion of Normandy and the struggle to stem the tide on both fronts towards the German heartlands. Indeed there were around 300 Wespes still in service when the war came to an end.
This pack contains:
- 1 SdKfz 124 Wespe
- 2 Crew
Note: Models supplied unassembled and unpainted. Resin and metal parts.
Scale: 28mm.
