ModelCollect build notes

This is a photo of the ModelCollect Pershing II built and displayed incorrectly. Here it looks like the launcher can be moved with the warhead attached to the missile, and that is absolutely wrong.

Pershing II had two modes: launch and travel. In travel mode the rotating pallet (the assembly below the warhead) would slide back to support the warhead and radar sections. The splice between the warhead and guidance section would be separated into the cradle, then the pallet moved forward and the sections strapped down. Then the pallet is rotated so that the warhead is facing rearward and a cover is placed over the sections. The box just behind the rotating pallet is the hydraulic tank. Forward of the tank is the work platform. The work platform folds up in two pieces and is locked down. The truck then backs up to lock onto the kingpin, which is located to the rear of the hydraulic tank. Then the three leveling jacks are retracted and the erector launcher is ready for travel.

In the photo above, and others, it looks like the kingpin is under the front of the work platform; this is incorrect. Pershing was designed with a standard trailer length to be able to maneuver through the tight streets of German towns and through the forests.

In the above image, the kingpin is just visible behind the hydraulic tank. The ModelCollect version is missing the kingpin, which accounts for the confusion

The image on the right shows the launcher in the launch mode. The leveling jacks are down with the pads installed and the tires are off the ground. The front landing gear is up. The work platform is down and the warhead cradle is forward. The truck would be moved forward a few feet.

And that is another issue. the build instructions give the option to build the landing gear up or down by choosing E44 and E45 for down or E42 and E43 for up. And the leveling jacks can be built extended (F15, F16) or retracted (F13, F14). But the work platform can only be built in the launch position, which means the landing gear must be up and the leveling jacks extended.

To recap:

• • Build with E42, E43 and F15, F16

  • Display with the truck just forward of the launcher

  • Scratch build a kingpin