Bronco 1/35 German 88mm L71 FlaK 41 - Part 1
By Don Barry
Kit #CB-35114
MSRP: $70.00 USD
Let’s face it, boys and girls, we asked for this. This gun is a big, complex kit, loaded with fine detail and tiny, “fiddly bits”, just what we’ve always wanted from kit makers. It takes 2 pages of the 34 page instruction book just to show the 22 plastic sprues, not including the photo-etched frets and separate trailer units. The book actually tells you this is a kit with “exceptionally fine detail” that will “require a little more care during assembly”, and I don’t think they’re kidding. The instructions show 55 assembly steps, which include the range finder and case, as well as ammunition and shipping tubes and crates. This gun used the same dual-wheeled trailer units as the earlier Flak 36/37, so these are supplied by Dragon; I would guess as a cost saving measure on Bronco’s part. This is not going to be an in-depth review, as construction has started, and a complete build review will soon follow.
Packed in a sturdy box, the sprues are bagged to prevent scuffing and part loss. A full color rendition of the box art, suitable for framing, is included, and is shown on the magazine-style instruction booklet as well.
Slide molding is used throughout, though the barrel is still 3 pieces. An icon table is provided, relating to filling or opening holes, bending of pieces, optional parts, etc. Paint colors are called out during construction and at the end, referencing colors from Humbrol, Tamiya, Mr. Color, and Mr. Hobby. Small detail assemblies are often shown larger, and in color, to aid in accurate construction.
As stated earlier, construction starts immediately, stay tuned for further details. It is gratifying to see kit manufactures tackle these big artillery pieces. Bronco’s website shows another FlaK 41, in ground combat mode, and sporting the winter 88 mm gun crew found in the Dragon FlaK 36/37 kit. No release info as of this writing, though. The ultimate would have to be the Zwilling (twin) FlaK 40 128 mm gun mounts, as used on the huge flak towers in Berlin and other major cities. Any takers out there; Bronco, Dragon, AFV Club, anybody,...?
My sincere thanks go out to Stevens International for providing this review sample. I guess this kit rates a fresh #11 blade if anything does.
Happy modeling!