Sd.Kfz. 4/1 Panzerwerfer 42 (early), 1/72 - Roden 712

The Sd.Kfz. 4/1 Panzerwerfer 42 was a German multiple rocket launcher, constructed on the half-track chassis of the Opel Maultier truck in 1943, using the rocketry system designed by engineer Rudolf Nebel. The Opel Maultier was converted into a well protected, fully armored vehicle with a crew of four people which could conduct fire directly on the battlefield. Usually, units consisted of firing vehicles and similar ammunition transporters. Overall, about 300 Sd.Kfz. 4/1 Panzerwerfer 42 cars were produced during 1943-1944 which were used on the Eastern Front, and in Europe after the opening of the Second Front in 1944. Soviet troops called this car "Vanyusha", echoing the name given to the Soviet BM-13 system, "Katyusha". In comparison with the BM-13 "Katyusha", the Sd.Kfz.4/1 Panzerwerfer 42 was more sophisticated and very different in its combat effectiveness, however its numbers were too low to make a serious impact on the war.