Rats and Mice

In the middle of 2019 I saw that you could get a plastic model kit of a 1/144th scale German Ratte Tank. I was immediately interested as it is my favourite scale and I like silly tanks.

So I searched around for kit - Amazon Australia had one for $110 - not that interested, and then found BNA Models who had one for about $60 - too much but I couldn't resist.

So soon it arrived and I built it - together with the two Maus tanks that come with it.

The Ratte comes with four multiple Anti-aircraft guns which attach to the back.

So with no further nonsense here it is.

Here it is in its awesomeness. Together with some M48 Pattons. 

The two Mauses - or should that be Mise

The complete 512th Super duper heavy panzer battalion.

It is stupidly big, I don't know how anyone thought it would be a good idea.

I already had a few boxes of Revell Bundeswehr models, M48s, HS30 APCs and trucks. Together they make a potent force to stop the Soviet hordes in the mid-1950s.

I can just imagine the conversation with the American liaison officer.
Chuck   "Hans, what the hell is this, where did you get it!!!"
Hans     "Well, it is a Ratte - a super heavy panzer. We lost it at the end of the war, you know there was a lot of confusion then"
Chuck   "Lost it, how can you lose something like that. How did you find it! And how is it operating"
Hans    "The local hitler youth group, no I mean scout group, was on a field trip and they found it. They alerted the nearest village, and just by coincidence the 512th Super Heavy Panzer Battalion was having its annual reunion and were able to get it started. How lucky was that!"
Chuck "I don't believe a word but if it can stop the Soviet Guards Armoured Corp I don't care!"


To help justify its purchase, I made a VSF version for my 19C wars. Here the AA guns are taken off, replaced with the two Maus turrets and an engine deck of mysterious valves.

The escorting infantry will keep it out of trouble.

The engine deck and supporting gun turrets