LARS-2 German Rocket launcher

The original West German LARS (Leichtes Artillerie Raketen System) was mounted on a Magirus-Jupiter truck chassis, but was upgraded and re-mounted on the MAN KAT-1 6×6 high-mobility truck chassis, starting in 1980.  All 209 original systems were upgraded by 1983.

The 110mm rockets had a firing range of between 6.5 and 25 km, with a reloading time of 15 mins.  A full salvo could be fired in 18 seconds.  Trajectory determination and adjustment of the rockets was carried out using an improved Contraves FIELDGUARD radar system (FERA), mounted on a separate KAT-1 chassis (forthcoming model).

A number of options are provided in this model set.  Two basic versions are provided, a first for integrated printing using an SLS resin printer, and a second, disassembled version for FDM printers.  These are made available in separate zip files, as there are small differences between versions to suit the particular printing limitations.  Versions of the rocket launcher in travel and firing position are provided, and reinforced chassis options are also provided for more robust war gaming use.

A total of four integrated versions of the main body are provided for resin printers; a pair of each in travelling and firing positions (normal and reinforced). Rocket launchers are provided as a separate part in the firing positions to permit rotation and alignment.  This launcher should be taken from the fdm files, as it is identical.

The disassembled versions for FDM printing comprises of the following parts:

1. The main chassis, in both higher-accuracy and reinforced versions (two designs). This is common to all models.
2. The base rear area, in travelling and firing modes (two designs)
3. The wheels (common; six will be required). These can be printed simultaneously, but removal of supports in the central area that interfaces with the chassis axles can be tricky.  The alternative is to print with no supports, but this may need to be done one wheel at a time to avoid adhesion and alignment issues.
4. The cab, in two variants. The first is designed for printing vertically, the second with a separate roof for horizontal printing.  Neither is ideal, but this is a limitation of the FDM printing process.  The wing mirrors are fully supported, but may well break during removal of supports.  The mirrors can be replaced using super glue or rapid-setting epoxy.
5. The launcher in travel configuration. Removal of some supports needs to be carried out carefully, as some are undercut and deep.
6. The launcher in firing configuration. Again, removal of the supports needs to be undertaken with care, as some parts are fragile.

The product is offered for personal, non-commercial use under the Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).

The model files were generated on Microsoft 3DBuilder, and run through ideaMaker to reduce or eliminate the number of non-manifold or wrongly oriented faces before posting.  The designs have been optimised for 1:100 scale (or larger) printing, but are unlikely to work well at smaller scales e.g. N-gauge, and almost certainly will not print properly at 1:200 scale.