Perfect Scale 1:35 Hotchkiss 81mm Morser Trager Full Resin Kit

Perfect Scale 1:35 Hotchkiss 81mm Morser Trager Full Resin Kit.

In August 1950 French Company Hotchkiss was ordered by the French general staff commission to develop two light armored tracked vehicles. One was a supply carrier (later CC2), and the other an APC for an half-platoon (later TT6). Both vehicles shared the same chassis and engine. In June 1953, the first two prototypes were delivered, and later three more, extensively tested in the Alps and North Africa. In 1954, there was an order for 50 pre-production carriers, which were further tested in the winter 1955/1956 and improved, receiving a sealed driver's compartment. However, the outbreak of the Algerian war prevented large-scale production.

In 7-8 November 1955 a delegation from the German Ministry of Defence examined the model. In May 1956, a contract was secured with Hotchkiss for 5 wooden mockups of the German-specs type plus two prototypes of mild steel and a test campaign. On 30 August 1956, the first order of 1975 vehicles came, known as the Schützenpanzer Spz 42-1, a modified armored personnel carrier which was to be the head of a whole family of vehicles introduced in the end of 1956, partly built in Germany.

To compare the tactical rôle of the Spz "Kurz" (short) with the contemporary Hispano-Suiza HS.30 these were often referred to the ww2 Sd.Kfz.250 and 251, respectively. Indeed the Kurz was given scouting and recce missions. In the end, it was armed with the same turret and 20 mm autocannon, making it an early IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle).