RSO (GE276) Steyr-470 RSO/01, 1942-1943, V8 85hp full-track prime mover (RaupenSchlepper Ost). Raupenschlepper Ost, which literally means "Crawling Tractor - East", commonly abbreviated to RSO is a fully tracked, lightweight vehicle designed in response to the poor performance of wheeled and half-tracked vehicles in the mud and snow during the Wehrmacht’s first winter on the Eastern Front.

It was developed by Steyr during 1942 and used the transmission of the standard 1.5 tonne truck. The suspension was entirely tracked, though of crude design, which gave rise to excessive vibration in service. The suspension wheels were of steel, without rubber tyres, and with leaf springs. Ground clearance was good though and allowed it to keep moving even in the worst conditions.        The RSO eventually served in a wide variety of roles. RSO tractors were to replace all light half-tracked tractors.

They were mainly used to tow 5cm and 7.5cm Pak guns, light howitzers and even 8.8cm Pak 43 guns in Volksgrenadier units. Steyr, Klockner-Deutz-Magirus, Wanderer and others produced over 28,000 vehicles from 1942 to 1945. The original version had a pressed steel cab with a truck-like configuration (RSO/01). This was used for general transport duties. A drop-sided wooden-cab tractor designated the RSO/03 was also produced from 1944. Both types were used to the end of the war.

Specifications: Weight: 5200kg Crew: 2 men Engine: Steyr V8 3.5L 85hp Speed: Road 17.2km/h Range: Road 250-300km Fuel Capacity: 180 litres

In Flames Of War The RSO with full-tracked mobility allows the worst of terrain to be traversed, taking their weapons places trucks are just to slow and cumbersome to go.     They can be found as optional upgrades for many tow vehicles and transports in the German Grenadier Handbook in Stalingrad. Designed by Evan Allen Painted by Wayne Turner (Models normally come mounted on small bases)