R3 Rheintochter on Flak 41 Carriage

Kit # 72195

Peview by Rob Haelterman

1. History

Rheintochter was the name of a series of German surface-to-air missiles developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig during World War II. While the R1 model is relatively well-documented, the R3 is more elusive. What seems to be sure is that externally the R3 differed quite a bit from the R1. [1] claims that six trial missiles were fired.

2. The kit

2.1. Packaging

The packaging of this kit is a major disappointment. There is no label, no image, only a piece of cardboard with the kitnumber, not even the name. To add insult to injury (or vice versa), half of the parts are packaged in a ziplock bag which is too large to keep them steady during transport and, lacking any protection, three of my parts arrived broken. Some of the smaller parts come in an extra small bag and arrived unscathed.

 

2.2. Parts

The resin parts are shown below. I also show a picture from Henk of Holland which shows how they should arrive.

It took me a while to realize that, not only were some parts broken, I was also missing six parts: the two foldable arms for the carriage and its 4 pads. Fortunately I was going to use the missile as a self-propelled Flak and didn't need the Lafette, or this would have been catastrophic.

Picture above from Henk of Holland website, used with permission.

2.3. Quality of casting

Detail is generously provided, while casting quality is generally very good, with some exceptions.
The area between the wheels and the fenders is just an accumulation of resin, which is unavoidable if the wheels and fenders are going to be cast as one piece. The molds of the wheels seem to have shifted, which will be a major source of extra work.
The body of the missile requires some clean-up, but will probably turn out all-right.
Other parts are (at first sight) flawless, except where they were broken.

 

2.4. Instructions

None are given. Luckily we have these pictures from Henk of Holland to work with. Given the low number of parts (even when augmented with extra broken parts), this will be sufficient to assemble the model.

Pictures above from Henk of Holland website, used with permission.

 

2.5. Accuracy

As I lack reliable scale drawings or pictures of the real deal, I will refrain from commenting on accuracy.

References

[1] Christopher, John. The Race for Hitler's X-Planes (The Mill, Gloucestershire: History Press, 2013)

Review kit purchased by author.

This model can be purchased from

Article Last Updated: 16 November 2016