VM 1/35 Pz.Kfw-38(t) Reconnaissance variant
Aufklarungspanzer 140/1
Kit no. 359605

by Richard Eaton

Introduction

I really love small WWII 1/35 scale armor, As such, I have built many variants of the excellent Czech TNHP-S or German designated Pz Kw 38(T) type tank. Talk about versatility! These vehicles were used for everything from main battle tanks, to mobile artillery platforms, to tank destroyers. Imagine my delight, when cruising GreatModels Webstore, I found yet another interesting variant! The Sd Kfz 140/1 was a reconnaissance variation mounted with the Sd.Kfz 250 style 20 mm turret. Cool.

The History

The Czech built TNHP-S tank built from 1938 onwards was one of the most modern vehicles of its time. Production of the vehicle continued under German aegis after the occupation. This extremely robust and reliable type formed a quarter of German tank strength in the 1940-41 period. After replacement by later German designs this excellent chassis was modified and equipped to form a variety of expedient vehicles such as the PanzerJager Marder III, Jagdpanzer Hertzer, and Panzerartillerie Grille. The Hertzer variant soldiered on with the Swiss army until the 70s! A functioning Swiss Hertzer is preserved to this day at the Texas Guard Museum at Camp Mabry here in Austin, Texas. Not bad for a 1938 design I'd say.

A further Pz Kw 38(t) variant came into troop service during 1943 was the Aufklarungspanzer (recon tank) 140/1. These came about initially as a field modification. A new superstructure was fitted to 50 38(t) chassis that were under repair. On that was mounted a 2 cm Haengelafette turret formally used on various armored cars and half tracks. These vehicles (70 produced) were intended as replacements for the four wheeled armored car SD Kfz 222 and Sd Kfz 250/9 half track. This open turret was fitted a 2 cm KwK cannon and an MG 34 machine gun designed for both AA and ground attack purposes. These recon tanks were equipped with a Fu 5 (2 meter) and Fu 12 (star type aerial) radios.

Technical data

Crew: 4
Weight: 9.75 tons
Dimensions: Length - 4.51 m, width 2.14 m, height 2.17 m
Armor: turret 30 mm, front 50 mm, sides 15 mm.

In the Box

This 1997 kit, from VM in Russia, is of the standard Sd Kfz 140/1. This is the first Pz Kw 38(T) type variant produced by VM and hopefully not the last. It is molded like the Italeri kit so that the mold may be used to produce other variants in the future. At first glance my impression was that parts and detail looked a tad thick. Now that I am taking a closer look for this review I am quite impressed.

The parts consist of seven trees of hard gray styrene parts, one fret of brass PE parts, and a decal sheet. The styrene parts are crisp with little flash. There are some injector marks and sink holes but they are not overly offensive.

One large tree includes parts for the tank superstructure and turret. The guns are nicely detailed and all superstructure parts have fine rivet detail. The kit comes with an MG 42 machine gun. The turret gun mount and gunner's support include around 30 parts that look like they would build up to a high level of detail. These include transverse and elevating mechanisms and wheels that many kits leave out. This level of detail is important in an open toped vehicle like this. The turret top grenade shields can be poised in either the open or closed position and the kit PE parts provide six parts of netting material for these shields.

The other two large trees contain the hull components and interior detail. The hull sides and bottom have interior detail molded in. This details looks like it would be adequate with the right wash and drybrushing. The exterior hull has rather heavy rivet detail that might be a tad large for the scale. Not so much so that I will try and correct this but some might want too. There are six part that make up the transmission and 11 other interior parts for seats, controls, and the like. There are parts aplenty to supply exterior fixtures and equipment.

Finally there are four identical trees containing suspension, wheels, and individual track links. The wheels and drive gear are very nicely molded. The track links are the first individual molding I have seen in a kit for this vehicle type and are superb. Interconnect moldings seem fine and a dry fit of several links proved that it should be no problem linking them together. I wish I had a few more of these trees to back fit some of my other Pz Kw 38(T) types!

The kit instructions are printed in four languages. There are ample, extremely well done drawings showing assembly. All parts are numbered in the instructions and on the sprue. Two photos of the vehicle are also include. This is like a breath of fresh air compared with my last project, whose instructions, parts and fit were poor.

Decals for the kit include two types of crosses and three group markings. They appear to be quite thin and well registered. The decals are dated 1996 so they should be fresh.

Conclusion

Well, now that I put my glasses on and really gave this kit a going over I am quite impressed. Other than the slightly heavy hull rivets I am pleased with the parts. If you are into the Pz Kfw 38(T) variants (as I am) I am sure that you will like this late model beauty. Can't wait to start building now!

Source

F.M. von Senger und Ettrlin: German Tanks of World War II, Galahad Books, 1969.