I don't model much armor, but occasionally when I shop for models in catalogs
& websites I'll run across panzer kits that are labeled with the term "Ausf". It's
been gnawing at my curiosity for months so I thought that this would be the perfect place to get the question answered. So, all you armor freaks out there,
what does "Ausf" signify in German & what is its translation in English. Also,
I'd like to ask you panzerheads about some things that I've heard mentioned about German armour. First is it true that alot of panzer models, especially the
heavier ones, were not mechanically reliable? And I've also heard several times that the Wehrmacht did not have specialized tank recovery units like the
U.S. Army did and often had to leave their knocked out tanks on the battlefield?
Enlighten me, please.