15cm s.IG.33 (Sf) auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf. B

Plastic model kit for building a 15cm s.IG.33(Sf) on Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B "Bison I"

• Scale: 1:35
• Aluminum gun barrel
• Individual-link tracks
• Includes vinyl and photo-etched parts
• Unassembled, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

With its thin armor and light armament - consisting of only two machine guns - the Pz.Kpfw.I was already obsolete as a tank by the start of the Second World War in September 1939. Nevertheless, it was still deployed during the early stages of the conflict.

Perhaps its greatest contribution to the German war effort was serving as the basis for a wide range of specialized vehicle conversions, including self-propelled artillery. It was recognized early on that mobile artillery could provide invaluable fire support to armored units. Consequently, a 15cm s.IG.33 infantry gun was mounted on a Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B chassis, creating the vehicle known as the s.IG.33 (Sf) on Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B. The gun was housed within a tall, box-like superstructure; however, the additional weight placed an excessive strain on the Panzer I chassis. The armor shield was only 10mm thick, offering protection solely from the front and sides, and there was no space for carrying spare ammunition. Ultimately, this ungainly and top-heavy artillery vehicle was not a great success; only 38 units were converted by Alkett in February 1940.

These vehicles saw service during the Battle of France and beyond, although as the war progressed, the 15cm s.IG.33 gun was subsequently mounted on alternative chassis.