Arsenal/Halinski model 8-9/96
Sd. Kfz. 7 - (German 8 ton semi-tracked artillery tractor)

The half-tracked tractor climbs to the crest of the hill amongst whistling bullets, towing the heavy 36 Flak gun. The gun-layer runs alongside using the solid vehicle as a shield while the driver cowers in his seat. Having ridden aboard, the infantry hastily disembark to obey the order to unhitch and position the gun. The shield is lowered, the side frames are crossed to support the gun. Hurriedly wedges are driven under the wheels of the cart. Ammunition is fetched, the cartridges carried in wicker panniers. Someone screws on the gun sight, just as the enemy tanks crawl into view on the edge of the battlefield.
The wine of Ju87 sirens and rumble of battle tanks was not as common as during Blitzkrieg. Already a new strategy of more static warfare had evolved for the artillery and lines were sometimes not moved for months. The catchword of this type of warfare was "mobility" in that the artillery had to be ready at a moments notice to move where needed. Besides the theoretical usefulness for Blitzkrieg they were used before infantry attacks and to support motorised warfare. The reality of war rapidly created truly flexible and innovative ways of supporting tank and infantry assaults. Soon all armies of the world possessed some type of gun mounted on tank-like chassis, and thus needed antitank artillery.
The development program of the German army was intense in the early thirties, anticipating a new generation of designs for semi-tracked artillery tractors. They had replaced the previously used method of hitching as well as the dependence on road networks.
Divided into categories according to load pulled (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 18 ton) and the task they were intended for, 6 types were manufactured. The most well known (but in fairness not the best) production type was the 8 ton artillery tractor Sd.Kfz. 7. It was designed by the firm Krauss-Maffei of Munich. Between 1934 and the end of 1944 more than 6100 were produced there in four successive versions (KMm 8 to KMm 11). Sd.Kfz. 7 was licensed to be produced by 4 German firms as well as by the Austrian firm Sauer and in Italy by Brede. Total production was 12000 units.
The construction of the tractor was based partly on modification of the large, heavy frame from the front part of conventional truck-tractors, with added track propulsion in three groups of doubled wheels on each side at the back (KMm 11). Typically a Maybach 62 TUK engine mounted in front provided 140 horsepower transmitted through a two-disc dry clutch and 4-speed main gearbox with auxiliary 2-speed gearbox. Interestingly a sharp turn was achieved by only slight turning of the front wheels to an angle of 10-15 degrees: In a turn power was transmitted differentially with more power going to the outer track and less to the inner one.
Sd.Kfz. 7 KMm 11 had a total mass of 11.5t and was designed to tow the s.FH18 howitzer of 15cm calibre, or the 10cm gun or most famously the universal 8.8cm Flak gun.
Besides its basic functions it was used as a chassis for mounting a group of four 2cm antiaircraft guns (Sd.Kfz. 7/1) as well as 3.7cm antiaircraft guns (Sd. Kfz. 7/2).
One variant had a cooled, armoured cabin. Another had the  rear part replaced with an armoured control centre for V2 rocket launching  - thus these vehicles participated in the start of the rocket age.
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This model is designed for experienced modelers. It is an effective and attractive model, not too difficult or complicated to build, but assembling certain parts e.g. wheels and almost a hundred caterpillar track links is time consuming and requires patience, perseverance and precision. It should perhaps not be taken on by the more inexperienced model builder.
Sketches and photos show you clearly how to assemble wheels and tracks. The best way to do this is the "group method" i.e. to cut out several elements, then assemble them as sub-units.
Parts on areas of the part sheets marked with the letter "K" and parts 57a, 57b, 60a, 60b, 61a and 61b (sides of seats and supports) must be glued onto 0,8-1,0 mm thick cardboard.
Do stick to the given diameters of circular parts which are wound into a spiral e.g. bushes, axles, hubs, wheel rims, etc. Cut any excess strip off after rolling them.
If the chassis is made with moving parts, wheels have to be protected from falling off by gluing parts 5a, 4b, 10c, 47d to the axle ends. Because of this axles should stick out about 1 mm from hubs.
Front wheel axles (46) must be joined to the steering bushes using 1 mm thick wire wound around the steering bushes (51b). The other two steering bushes (51d) should be linked together with thin wire of such a length that the wheels are parallel to one another and to the long axis of the vehicle.
Building the vehicle body is easier but also requires skill and imagination - it is not impossible that some alterations, bending or cutting may be required during fitting and shaping of the vehicle sides, seats and engine covers. The engine covers must be scored and cut along the line joining both parts, leaving them uncut only where the hinges are, so that the covers will easily open and close. After scoring, the edges must be inserted in the slots in part 74. This part which joins the front and back of the engine compartment, must be adjusted so that the distance between front and back partitions is 44 mm.
A model of this class requires your customisation to make it as real as possible:
e.g. cut out small doors so that they can open/close, paint and paper over cardboard edging, and the white exposed areas underneath, cut out black painted holes in wheel discs, glue on imitation rivets and embossing. The printed reserve areas of colour can be used as you wish. It is advised to use soft 3-4 mm wire, shape the exhaust pipes and paint them and the silencer with rust coloured paint. Paint also signs of ageing and usage e.g. dirt, smoke smudges, leaks, etc.
The army emblem was placed on the left front mudguard (77) and on the back of the vehicle (53b) above the number plate (83a). If the unit fought in North Africa, additional emblems of "Afrika Korps" were placed on the right front mudguard (76) and right hand side of the rear of the vehicle (53).
If you are building the set of transporter and the cannon, the hauling attachment (94) should be built. Glue part 94a1 on 1 mm thick cardboard, glue it together. Cut out hole (for part 94c). Trap 94a1 (slots cut out) by gluing from both sides part 94a, from top and bottom glue part 94. From the front insert part 94a2 which is also glued on 1 mm cardboard (combined thickness 2 mm). Using the part 94c join the attachment to the cannon (parts 97, 97a - Military Model 01-02-1996) and using parts 94d, d1, d2 join to the tractor (35). Assemble all other elements as in the diagrams.
Znad jednostki = unit markings
Rezerwa = spare card
Dol = hole
Wyciac po sklejeniu = cut out after gluing