Rubicon Models - Raupenschlepper Ost RSO01 or RSO03 Tracked Vehicle

Raupenschlepper Ost (Caterpillar Tractor East) was a fully tracked, lightweight vehicle used by the Wehrmacht in World War II.

After the Wehrmacht’s first fall and winter (1941–1942) on the Eastern Front, they found that the extremely primitive roadways in the USSR and seasonal mud required a fully tracked supply vehicle to maintain mobility. Steyr responded by proposing a small, fully tracked vehicle based upon its 1.5-tonne truck (Steyr 1500A light truck) already in use in the army. The vehicle was introduced in 1942 as the Raupenschlepper Ost (more commonly abbreviated to RSO).

Initially designed as a prime mover and artillery supply vehicle, it eventually served in a wide variety of roles. Immediately after the vehicle reached the Eastern front, the combat units started using it for general transport duties. It gave outstanding service due to its reliability, its ease of maintenance, and its capability to take over a variety of roles - in every kind of terrain - which other vehicles lacked. The four road wheels per side, all in a single line as part of a “slack-track” system with no return rollers, comprised a much simpler suspension system, much more able to handle the rasputitsa mud season and Russian winter conditions, without mud or snow freezing between the wheels of the complex overlapping/interleaved Schachtellaufwerk suspension systems that German half-track vehicles like the SdKfz 7 possessed.

The original version (RSO/01) had a pressed-steel cab with a truck-like configuration similar to the wheeled trucks. The next two versions – RSO/02 and RSO/03 – had a simpler, soft-top, slab-sided metal cab. All models had wooden, drop-side cargo beds typical of light trucks of the era. It was originally powered by a Steyr 3.5L V8 petrol engine, which in the RSO/03 was replaced by the Deutz air-cooled diesel engine. Approximately 23,000 RSO of all versions were produced.

Product Highlights:
- Option to build either a RSO/01 or RSO/03
- One-piece slide-mould cab for ease-of-assembly
- Open or closed rear trunk side panels & tailgate
- Optional rear canvas racks & tarpaulin top
- Optional snow/bog track extension pad
- Full detail track links
- Driver included

Note: Models supplied unassembled and unpainted

Standard Postage*: items are usually sent within 1-3 business days* (M-F).

Express Postage*: items are usually sent same business day (M-F) if order received prior to 2pm.*

New Zealand: items are usually sent within 1-3 business days* (M-F).

*Note: Signature on delivery is not included in above costs however is available on request.

*All items are sent with "Authority to Leave" by default

*Postage/Preparation times can be affected by other events/situations eg (and not limited to)

- Covid, Severe Weather Events, delayed arrival of orders, volume of orders, staffing,

- Please wait 4 business days from date of in-stock order or release date of product before contacting us to enquire about your orders fulfillment.

COMBINED ORDERS:

Please note that Gap Games will no longer combine separate orders. Postage MUST be paid on all orders requiring postage.

Should you wish to add items to an existing unfulfilled order please contact us on support@gapgames.com.au and we will endeavour to add these items.

Please note that we can not add additional items to orders that have processed to picking/packing stage.