DML are looking after fans of WW2 on the Eastern Front with the announcement of a RSO 03 artillery tractor.

The RSO, or to give it its full name, Raupenschlepper Ost, was a fully tracked artillery tractor developed in response to the poor performance of wheeled and half tracked vehicles in the snow and mud of the Eastern Front.

The name translates as "Caterpillar Tractor East", and was originally developed by Steyr in 1942. However, shortly after reaching the front, the vehicle became so popular that it was pressed into service in a variety of role in addition to the artillery tractor role for which it was originally developed.

Power was provided by a 3.5 litre V8 petrol or 5.5 litre diesel engine, giving a top speed of around 30 km/hr (18 mph for you non-metric types!). The RSO usually had a crew of two, and some 23,000 were produced by several firms before the end of the war.

DML have now utilised some of the sprues for their kit of the RSO mounting a Pak 40 and produced this kit. Only the chassis and running gear is carried over from the previous kit - all the other parts are new mouldings.

Included in this kit are the following features:

- Deutz 5.5 litre diesel engine and transmission
- Side panels and tailgate can be folded up or down
- New gearbox and accurate chassis
- Spare tracks provided for stowing on side panels
- Fully detailed driver's compartment
- Clear windshield
- Magic tracks

As a bonus, DML have included a kit of their previously released 5cm Pak 38 anti-tank gun, which should just about make this a diorama in a box - well worth waiting for.