Fortschritt E 512 brown – limited 1:32 model

The Fortschritt E 512 combine harvester, developed from the E 510, was first presented to the public in 1968 at the Leipzig trade fair and at the time was one of the most efficient and reliable combines on the market. It was produced in the former German Democratic Republic by the state-owned company VEB Fortschritt Landmaschinen, the largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery of the 1960s. Imports to Czechoslovakia began in 1968, and a year later the E 512 won a gold medal at the Brno trade fair, which helped farmers prefer it over the Soviet SK-5 Niva and SK-6 Kolos. The E 512 was built until 1988, and more than 51,000 units were produced over two decades.

The Fortschritt E 512 was known for its robust construction, which ensured durability and a long service life even in demanding conditions. It was powered by a 77 kW (105 hp) IFA 4 VD 14.5/12-1 SRW engine, giving it enough power for demanding harvesting work at operating speeds of 1.4–20 km/h. A small number of slope-levelling E 512 AL machines with a 158 hp Perkins engine were also built for hilly terrain. Some E 512 combines were fitted with engines from other, mainly Western, manufacturers, which could differ in power, displacement or other parameters.

The header usually had a cutting width of 4.2 to 4.8 metres for smooth and efficient cutting. The combine had an efficient threshing system that separated grain quickly and with minimal losses, and a large grain tank that allowed it to work longer without frequent unloading. The unloading system was simple and allowed quick, convenient transfer of grain to storage or transport vehicles. The operator's cab was designed for comfort and a good view of the harvesting process, with clear, easy-to-use controls.

Some of the earliest E 512 machines had no closed cab, which made work very demanding because of the large amount of dust, so a modernised cab went into series production as safety standards tightened. Olive and brown paint was also used in production to reduce costs. Fortschritt combines are very reliable and many still take part in the harvest today, more than 50 years after they were built.

We now bring you the brown-and-white E 512 as a limited 1:32 resin model by the renowned manufacturer AutoCult, limited to just 333 pieces. The model comes in polystyrene packaging inside a special design box with a booklet numbered from 1 to 333. It is supplied without applied decals, but they are included, so you can add the lettering or the large Fortschritt logo yourself. Features include a tilting header, header and elevator that move up and down, a folding grain unloading auger and steerable rear axle, plus a transport trailer that can be hitched to the combine.