Name: Jagdpanzer SU-85 (r) w/ Crew 1:35 Model Kit by MiniArt
Brand: SCH Models
SKU: MIN35229
Price: 49.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

Jagdpanzer SU-85 (r) w/ Crew 1:35 Model Kit by MiniArt

£49.99

Model Features

1:35 scale plastic model kit
Accurately represents the German-captured Soviet SU-85 self-propelled gun, designated Jagdpanzer SU-85(r) by German forces
Includes five highly detailed WWII German and Soviet crew figures for realistic diorama displays
Based on the Soviet SU-85 tank destroyer captured and reused by German forces during the Second World War
Highly detailed hull and fighting compartment with realistic armour texture and weld details
Accurate representation of the fixed casemate superstructure and 85mm main gun
Detailed suspension system with workable track links
Finely reproduced road wheels, drive sprockets, and idler wheels
Includes photo-etched parts for enhanced scale realism
Clear parts included where required
Detailed external fittings, tools, hatches, and stowage equipment
Includes authentic decal options for captured German-operated vehicles
Precision-moulded plastic parts for a highly detailed build
Ideal for Eastern Front collections, captured vehicle displays, or WWII armoured diorama projects.

Specifications

Brand: MiniArt
Scale: 1:35
Subject: Jagdpanzer SU-85(r) with Crew
Material: Injection-moulded plastic
Skill Level: Suitable for intermediate to advanced modellers
Paint & Glue Required: Yes (sold separately)
Recommended Age: 14+
Parts: 712 total parts
Plastic Parts: 627
Photo-Etched Parts: 75
Clear Parts: 10
Figures Included: 5 crew figures
Tracks: Workable individual track links
Model Length: Approximately 245mm
Width: Approximately 86mm

What's in the Box

Plastic sprues
Detailed SU-85 self-propelled gun hull and superstructure
85mm D-5S gun components
Workable track links
Suspension and running gear components
Clear parts
Photo-etched detail parts
Five detailed crew figures
Waterslide decal sheet with captured German vehicle markings
Illustrated assembly instructions

History of the Original Vehicle

The Jagdpanzer SU-85(r) was the German designation for captured Soviet SU-85 self-propelled guns that were pressed into service by German forces during the later stages of the Second World War. Originally developed by the Soviet Union as a dedicated tank destroyer, the SU-85 combined the reliable chassis of the T-34 medium tank with a powerful anti-armour weapon designed to counter increasingly formidable German tanks.

The Soviet SU-85 was developed in 1943 as a response to the appearance of heavily armoured German vehicles such as the Tiger I and Panther tanks. The earlier Soviet SU-122 assault gun, although effective against infantry and fortifications, lacked the accuracy and armour penetration required for dedicated anti-tank warfare. Soviet designers therefore adapted the proven T-34 chassis to carry the powerful 85mm D-5S gun, creating a vehicle capable of engaging enemy armour at longer distances.

Entering production in August 1943, the SU-85 featured a fixed-armour fighting compartment mounted on the front of the T-34 chassis. The removal of the turret allowed engineers to mount a larger gun while keeping the vehicle relatively low-profile and easier to produce. The design provided a good balance of mobility, protection, and firepower, making it an effective tank destroyer for Red Army armoured formations.

Powered by the reliable V-2-34 diesel engine, the SU-85 retained the excellent mobility characteristics of the T-34. Its wide tracks and Christie suspension system allowed it to operate across the varied terrain of the Eastern Front, while its 85mm gun gave Soviet crews the ability to defeat many German tanks at combat ranges exceeding 1,000 metres.

The SU-85's primary weapon, the 85mm D-5S gun, was capable of penetrating the armour of German medium tanks and could even threaten heavier vehicles under favourable conditions. It was supported by a 7.62mm DT machine gun carried inside the fighting compartment for local defence.

As newer Soviet vehicles entered service, particularly the improved SU-100, production of the SU-85 ended in 1944. However, many SU-85s remained in frontline service throughout the remainder of the war. Some vehicles were captured by German forces during combat and repaired for operational use, receiving the designation SU-85(r). These captured vehicles were typically employed in secondary roles, reconnaissance units, training formations, or alongside other captured Soviet equipment.

Captured Soviet vehicles were valued by German forces due to severe equipment shortages during the later years of the war. Vehicles such as the SU-85(r) provided additional anti-tank capability without requiring German factories to produce new equipment. Their use also reflected the increasingly desperate logistical situation faced by Germany as Allied and Soviet forces advanced.

The SU-85 was eventually replaced by the more powerful SU-100, but its contribution to Soviet armoured warfare was significant. It represented an important stage in the development of Soviet tank destroyers and helped establish design principles that would continue through later armoured vehicles.

The captured SU-85(r) is a particularly interesting subject for modellers due to its unusual service history, combining Soviet engineering with German battlefield adaptation. It provides a unique representation of the equipment diversity found on the Eastern Front during the final years of World War II.