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Spiros Pendedekas
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Italeri 1/35 Nebelwerfer 41

June 2, 2022 · in Armor · · 14 · 1.8K

Hi Everyone!


This is my Nebelwerfer 41.
The Nebelwerfer 41 (15 cm NbW 41) was a German multiple rocket launcher, utilizing 15 cm Wurfgranate 41 projectiles. It served during WWII with units of the “Nebeltruppen”, which were German Chemical Corps units that not only had the responsibility for poison gas and smoke weapons, but were also used to deliver high-explosives during the war. The name “Nebelwerfer” is best translated as "Smoke Mortar", with Allied troops nicknaming it “Screaming Mimi” or “Moaning Minnie” due to its distinctive sound.

Like virtually all German rocket designs, the Wurfgranate 41 projectile was spin-stabilized, in order to increase accuracy.

Unusually, the rocket motor was in the front, the exhaust venturis being about two-thirds down the body from the nose, with the intent to optimize the blast and fragmentation effect of the rocket as the warhead would still be above the ground upon detonation. However, this proved to greatly complicate manufacture without much improvement and it was not copied on later rocket designs.

About 6000 NbW 41s were built, together with almost 5,500,000 Wurfgranate 41s.

Well preserved survivors can still be spotted at museums today.
Yours truly by no means being an armor guy, still believe the Italeri kit is a nice representation of the Nebelwerfer. The build took only a day to fully commence, with painting done by hand "just like old times".
Should you like to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/misc/vehicles/germany2/pen41.htm

Happy modeling!
Reader reactions:
5  Awesome

14 responses

  1. Beautiful @fiveten! Quick builds like this: I like it a lot, including the weathering! I really would not want to be on the business end of that thing (maybe in 1:35 I would not care though). I mean scale 1-1, of course... Take care my friend!

  2. Really nice armor, Spiros @fiveten
    Your handpainting skills are great, smooth finish and nicely weathered.

  3. Looks good, Spiros. Any plans for a vignette to go with it?
    @fiveten

  4. Hold on? Where are the wings?

    You are a many of many talents @fiveten !

    Great stuff. I really hope it heads towards a vignette. Such a great build deserves it!

  5. Great build, Spiros.
    Did you say' "by no means being an armor guy"? Looks like you're ready to start a new shelf for building.

  6. A great job on one nasty little weapon.

  7. Wait a minute, you didn't cross over to the dark side, did you, Spiros (@fiveten). I have heard it said that you can make anything fly if you can get it going fast enough, but this would be a challenge. Looks great, even it it doesn't have wings. My Dad was in armor in WW2, so I have a soft spot for armor, particularly Shermans, Panzer IIIs and IVs. Well done, buddy. Cheers.

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