You were close, but it is neither US, African nor a DRG 05. The kit will build a Prussian T18, later Class 78 which was one of the most successful and long-living engines ever built in Germany. The first machines were built in 1912 before the Reichsbahn was formed and the last ones were scrapped in 1975. They were among the last active steam engines in Germany and outlived most "Einheitslokomotiven" from the 1930s. Twenty of these machines were sold in 1920 from Vulcan-works in Stettin to the kwStE, the "königlich württembergische Staatseisenbahn" in the independent state of Württemberg. At their delivery, the kwSte ceased to exist, they were labelled as Reichsbahn-engines. My kit will be built as one of these 20 machines 78 164, which was the last survivors of their kwStE class.
All remaining engines were concentrated in Rottweil and Aalen where they were attracting a lot of steam engine fans. Luckily, some picurtes of 78 164 exist, so I will build it in its 1969 condition.
The Kit has been manufactured in 1996 by Reinhart Uhde, one of the German pioneers in 7mm brass kits. The description is a very poor quality photocopy, so I contacted Mr. Uhde by e-mail and got a PDF description back from him within 6 hours!! The kit is obviously inspired by British kits and actually uses Slaters wheels. If you have ever wondered why Slaters has some continental wheel sets, here is the reason.
The kit is quite basic, I hope to find a supplier for brass castings for Prussian engines.
The frame is cut from the fret, but before I will start, I will carefully study the parts and how they play together. There might be some bad surprises hidden.
Michael