The Panzer Neubaufahrzeug were first used as a propaganda tool with one being shown at the International Automobile Exposition in Berlin in 1939.
They next took part in the invasion of Norway with Panzer Abteilung z.b.V. 40 (40th Special-Purpose Tank Battalion) where the three armoured Neubaufahrzeuge were assigned to the unit alongside its Panzer I and Panzer II tanks. One vehicle was assigned to Kampfgruppe Fischer advancing north through the Østerdalen Valley, while the other two were assigned to Kampfgruppe Pellengahr advancing up the Gudbrand Valley.
Following the conclusion of the campaign, the commander of Panzer Abteilung z.b.V. 40 wrote about the Neubaufahrzeug tank's performance: "… The Neubaufahrzeuge were deployed with great success even in the mountains. Despite warnings in many official reports, all bridges, even those with limitations of less than 5-tons, could be crossed without problems. Also, the tanks could move through very narrow streets ...In most cases where Neubaufahrzeuge were sent forward, our artillery could not be deployed. The tanks, however, were able to fully compensate for the missing artillery... Effective fire was opened with the 7.5cm gun, overpowering any enemy."
One Neubaufahrzeug was lost during the campaign near Andalsnes on the evening of 22 April 1940 when it was destroyed by a 2 pdr anti-tank gun, from the British 148th Infantry Brigade, one of only two anti-tank guns that the brigade landed.
The remaining vehicles were stationed at Akershus fortress in Oslo through 1940 before they returned to Germany.
THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:
- 3x resin and metal Neubaufahrzeug Tanks
These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted.