In Box Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
88mm Flak 36 w/Flak Artillery Crew
Copyright 2005
I paid $34.98 for this kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
It is available at Sprue Brothers for $67.99 or at Hobbylinc for $70.79 or at Kit Linx for $71.95 or Mega Hobby for $80.96 and 10 locations overseas on the web.
I paid $34.98 for this kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
It is available at Sprue Brothers for $67.99 or at Hobbylinc for $70.79 or at Kit Linx for $71.95 or Mega Hobby for $80.96 and 10 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 is a German 88 mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun, developed in the 1930s. It was widely used by Germany throughout World War II and is one of the most recognized German weapons of the conflict. Development of the original model led to a wide variety of guns.
The name applies to a series of related guns, the first one officially called the 8.8 cm Flak 18, the improved 8.8 cm Flak 36, and later the 8.8 cm Flak 37. Flak is a contraction of German Flugabwehrkanone (also referred to as Fliegerabwehrkanone) meaning "aircraft-defense cannon", the original purpose of the weapon. In English, "flak" became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire. In informal use, the guns were universally known as the Acht-acht ("eight-eight") by Germans and the "eighty-eight" by the Allies.
Air defense units were usually deployed with either a Kommandogerät ("command device") fire control computer or a portable Würzburg radar, which were responsible for its high level of accuracy against aircraft.The versatile carriage allowed the 8.8 cm Flak to be fired in a limited anti-tank mode when still on its wheels; it could be completely emplaced in only two and a half minutes.
Its successful use as an improvised anti-tank gun led to the development of a tank gun based upon it: the 8.8 cm KwK 36, with the "KwK" abbreviation standing for Kampfwagen-Kanone (literally "battle vehicle cannon", or "fighting vehicle cannon"), meant to be placed in a gun turret as the tank's primary armament. This gun served as the main armament of the Tiger I heavy tank.
In addition to these Krupp designs, Rheinmetall later created a more powerful anti-aircraft gun, the 8.8 cm Flak 41, which was produced in relatively small numbers. Krupp responded with another prototype of the long-barreled 8.8 cm gun, which was further developed into the anti-tank and tank destroyer 8.8 cm PaK 43 gun used for the Elefant and Jagdpanther, and turret-mounted 8.8 cm KwK 43 heavy tank gun of the Tiger II.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1936–1945 (Nazi Germany)
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, Finland, Slovak Republic, France, Greece, Republic of China, Brazil, Kingdom of Hungary, North Vietnam
Wars: Spanish Civil War, Sino-Japanese War, World War II, Vietnam War,
Designer: Krupp
Designed: 1928
Manufacturer: Krupp, Rheinmetall
Unit cost: 33,600 ℛℳ
Produced: 1933–1945
No. built: 21,310
Specifications (Flak 36):
Mass: 7,407 kg (16,330 lb) in mounted position
Length: 5.791 m (20 ft)
Barrel length: 4.938 m (16 ft 2 in) (56 calibers)
Width: 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Height: 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) (firing)
Crew: 10
Shell: Fixed QF 88×571mmR
Caliber: 88 mm (3.46 in)
Barrels: One, 32 grooves with right-hand increasing twist from 1/45 to 1/30
Breech: Horizontal semi-automatic sliding block
Recoil: Hydro-pneumatic
Carriage: Sonderanhänger 201 (Flak 18) and Sonderanhänger 202 (Flak 36, 37, 41)
Elevation: −3° to +85°
Traverse: 360°
Rate of fire: 15–20 rpm
Muzzle velocity: 840 m/s (2,690 ft/s)
Effective firing range: 4,860 m (16,250 yd) ground target, 8,000 m (26,000 ft) effective ceiling
Maximum firing range: 9,900 m (32,500 ft) maximum ceiling
Sights : ZF.20
The 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 is a German 88 mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun, developed in the 1930s. It was widely used by Germany throughout World War II and is one of the most recognized German weapons of the conflict. Development of the original model led to a wide variety of guns.
The name applies to a series of related guns, the first one officially called the 8.8 cm Flak 18, the improved 8.8 cm Flak 36, and later the 8.8 cm Flak 37. Flak is a contraction of German Flugabwehrkanone (also referred to as Fliegerabwehrkanone) meaning "aircraft-defense cannon", the original purpose of the weapon. In English, "flak" became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire. In informal use, the guns were universally known as the Acht-acht ("eight-eight") by Germans and the "eighty-eight" by the Allies.
Air defense units were usually deployed with either a Kommandogerät ("command device") fire control computer or a portable Würzburg radar, which were responsible for its high level of accuracy against aircraft.The versatile carriage allowed the 8.8 cm Flak to be fired in a limited anti-tank mode when still on its wheels; it could be completely emplaced in only two and a half minutes.
Its successful use as an improvised anti-tank gun led to the development of a tank gun based upon it: the 8.8 cm KwK 36, with the "KwK" abbreviation standing for Kampfwagen-Kanone (literally "battle vehicle cannon", or "fighting vehicle cannon"), meant to be placed in a gun turret as the tank's primary armament. This gun served as the main armament of the Tiger I heavy tank.
In addition to these Krupp designs, Rheinmetall later created a more powerful anti-aircraft gun, the 8.8 cm Flak 41, which was produced in relatively small numbers. Krupp responded with another prototype of the long-barreled 8.8 cm gun, which was further developed into the anti-tank and tank destroyer 8.8 cm PaK 43 gun used for the Elefant and Jagdpanther, and turret-mounted 8.8 cm KwK 43 heavy tank gun of the Tiger II.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1936–1945 (Nazi Germany)
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, Finland, Slovak Republic, France, Greece, Republic of China, Brazil, Kingdom of Hungary, North Vietnam
Wars: Spanish Civil War, Sino-Japanese War, World War II, Vietnam War,
Designer: Krupp
Designed: 1928
Manufacturer: Krupp, Rheinmetall
Unit cost: 33,600 ℛℳ
Produced: 1933–1945
No. built: 21,310
Specifications (Flak 36):
Mass: 7,407 kg (16,330 lb) in mounted position
Length: 5.791 m (20 ft)
Barrel length: 4.938 m (16 ft 2 in) (56 calibers)
Width: 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Height: 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) (firing)
Crew: 10
Shell: Fixed QF 88×571mmR
Caliber: 88 mm (3.46 in)
Barrels: One, 32 grooves with right-hand increasing twist from 1/45 to 1/30
Breech: Horizontal semi-automatic sliding block
Recoil: Hydro-pneumatic
Carriage: Sonderanhänger 201 (Flak 18) and Sonderanhänger 202 (Flak 36, 37, 41)
Elevation: −3° to +85°
Traverse: 360°
Rate of fire: 15–20 rpm
Muzzle velocity: 840 m/s (2,690 ft/s)
Effective firing range: 4,860 m (16,250 yd) ground target, 8,000 m (26,000 ft) effective ceiling
Maximum firing range: 9,900 m (32,500 ft) maximum ceiling
Sights : ZF.20
THE KIT:
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a 88mm Flak 36 in a snow-covered field by a forest, with a 6 man crew.
The gun is in a base of panzer-grey, with white squiggle bands on it as camoflauge. It has 10 yellow victory bands around the barrel followed by 25 white victory bands. The gun is off its carriage and that is sitting beside it.
The 6 man crew all wear light-tan uniforms and steel helmets that are white –washed. The knees of their pants are caked in mud.
Reading left to right:
The first crewman is standing and looking through a range-finder in both hands.
The second crewman is also standing and looking through a pair of binoculars.
The third man is bent at the waist over a wood ammo case and is removing a round for the 88mm from it.
The fourth and fifth men are standing and each holding a round for the 88mm.
The sixth man is seated and operating the gun.
The lower left corner of the box art says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains 589 parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. Box contains a model of one gun and 6 figures.
One side panel of the box shows color illustrations of features of the kit: a decal sheet of camouflage for the shield of the gun. However, it shows it as a base of green with yellow squiggles…odd! A second decal sheet of division markings. The 6 crewmen. 6 wood ammo boxes in 2 sizes. An Em.R. 1m artillery rangefinder w/chest-harness case. 6 rounds of 88mm ammo. 2 brass PE frets. Aluminum barrel for type 36 barrel (2 separated parts). Aluminum barrel for type 18 barrel. 88mm high explosive, practice and anti-tank type rounds. Metal chains. Metal recuperator and metal equilibrators.
Followed by a WARNING: When using paint or cement, do not be near an open flame and be in a well-ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English. Over: For modelers aged 10 and over. Not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. Importer for Europe is Italeri in Italy,In multiple languages, including English.
Copyright for this kit is 2005, over Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China. Kit was made there.
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a 88mm Flak 36 in a snow-covered field by a forest, with a 6 man crew.
The gun is in a base of panzer-grey, with white squiggle bands on it as camoflauge. It has 10 yellow victory bands around the barrel followed by 25 white victory bands. The gun is off its carriage and that is sitting beside it.
The 6 man crew all wear light-tan uniforms and steel helmets that are white –washed. The knees of their pants are caked in mud.
Reading left to right:
The first crewman is standing and looking through a range-finder in both hands.
The second crewman is also standing and looking through a pair of binoculars.
The third man is bent at the waist over a wood ammo case and is removing a round for the 88mm from it.
The fourth and fifth men are standing and each holding a round for the 88mm.
The sixth man is seated and operating the gun.
The lower left corner of the box art says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains 589 parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. Box contains a model of one gun and 6 figures.
One side panel of the box shows color illustrations of features of the kit: a decal sheet of camouflage for the shield of the gun. However, it shows it as a base of green with yellow squiggles…odd! A second decal sheet of division markings. The 6 crewmen. 6 wood ammo boxes in 2 sizes. An Em.R. 1m artillery rangefinder w/chest-harness case. 6 rounds of 88mm ammo. 2 brass PE frets. Aluminum barrel for type 36 barrel (2 separated parts). Aluminum barrel for type 18 barrel. 88mm high explosive, practice and anti-tank type rounds. Metal chains. Metal recuperator and metal equilibrators.
Followed by a WARNING: When using paint or cement, do not be near an open flame and be in a well-ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English. Over: For modelers aged 10 and over. Not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. Importer for Europe is Italeri in Italy,In multiple languages, including English.
Copyright for this kit is 2005, over Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China. Kit was made there.
The other side panel is covered with 16 black and white illustrations of parts details in the kit. This is a habit with Dragon on a lot of their kits, to cover the side panels and bottom of the box like this.
The bottom of the box has 19 more of these types of illustrations.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX;
The kit holds 22 medium-grey parts trees in 15 sealed clear cello bags.
Two decal sheets, a length of black wire and 2 brass PE frets in bags, taped to sheet of cardboard inside a cello bag.
A molded black plastic box that holds a turned-aluminum gun barrel, a length of brass chain, 5 brass ammo rounds and 5 aluminum tubes.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ½” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art. Over the parts-trees illustrations. Four parts on tree letter B and 3 parts on tree D are shown blued-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model. One part on tree letter C is also blued-out.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit, over a paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 9 gives a grand total of a whopping 36 assembly steps. Step 36 is assembly and painting instructions for the 6 crew figures, ammo boxes and rounds.
The bottom of page 9 shows a 4-view illustration of the gun in the box art scheme (already described above)
It says it was with an unknown unit, North Caucasus 1942/43.
Page 10 is a color and marking guide, showing four 3-view illustrations of the gun and one 2 view.
The first 3-view is overall panzer grey and you are to use the camouflage decal on the shields. It is shown on its carriage.
It was with the Fallschirm Pz.Div. “Hermann Goring”. Sicily 1943.
The second 3- view is overall wood-brown, with white victory marks on the right side of the front of the shield. It too is shown on its carriage.
It was with an unknown unit, Stalingrad 1943.
The third 3-view is in a camouflage of a base of mid-stone with grey squiggles.
It was with the 10th Pz.Div. Tunisia 1943. Also shown on its carriage.
The 2-view is overall grey, with a mid-stone shield. It is illustrated as being off its carriage.
It was with the 18th Flak Regiment (Luftwaffe), Libya 1941.
The fourth 3-view is in a splinter camouflage of mid-stone and grey.
It was with Pz.Gren.Div. “Grossdeutschland”. Eastern Front 1943.
The bottom of page 10 gives the decal application instructions, in 6 languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds the gun’s armed base support parts (30 parts)
The kit holds 22 medium-grey parts trees in 15 sealed clear cello bags.
Two decal sheets, a length of black wire and 2 brass PE frets in bags, taped to sheet of cardboard inside a cello bag.
A molded black plastic box that holds a turned-aluminum gun barrel, a length of brass chain, 5 brass ammo rounds and 5 aluminum tubes.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ½” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art. Over the parts-trees illustrations. Four parts on tree letter B and 3 parts on tree D are shown blued-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model. One part on tree letter C is also blued-out.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit, over a paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 9 gives a grand total of a whopping 36 assembly steps. Step 36 is assembly and painting instructions for the 6 crew figures, ammo boxes and rounds.
The bottom of page 9 shows a 4-view illustration of the gun in the box art scheme (already described above)
It says it was with an unknown unit, North Caucasus 1942/43.
Page 10 is a color and marking guide, showing four 3-view illustrations of the gun and one 2 view.
The first 3-view is overall panzer grey and you are to use the camouflage decal on the shields. It is shown on its carriage.
It was with the Fallschirm Pz.Div. “Hermann Goring”. Sicily 1943.
The second 3- view is overall wood-brown, with white victory marks on the right side of the front of the shield. It too is shown on its carriage.
It was with an unknown unit, Stalingrad 1943.
The third 3-view is in a camouflage of a base of mid-stone with grey squiggles.
It was with the 10th Pz.Div. Tunisia 1943. Also shown on its carriage.
The 2-view is overall grey, with a mid-stone shield. It is illustrated as being off its carriage.
It was with the 18th Flak Regiment (Luftwaffe), Libya 1941.
The fourth 3-view is in a splinter camouflage of mid-stone and grey.
It was with Pz.Gren.Div. “Grossdeutschland”. Eastern Front 1943.
The bottom of page 10 gives the decal application instructions, in 6 languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds the gun’s armed base support parts (30 parts)
Medium-grey letter B tree holds the parts of the gun (49 parts) Four parts are excess.
Medium-grey letter C tree holds the shield parts etc. (53 parts) one part is excess.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter D trees with hand wheels, supports, sights, etc. (29 parts ea.) Three parts are excess.
There are 4 identical medium-grey large letter E trees that hold carriage parts and 2 identical medium-grey trees, also lettered as E that hold the fenders of the carriage. (1 part ea.)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter F trees. They hold: leaf springs, tools etc. (63 parts ea.)
There are 4 identical medium-grey letter G trees. They hold wheels (10 parts ea.)
Medium-grey letter H tree holds metal ammo boxes. (12 parts)
There is no letter I tree.
There is no letter I tree.
Lettering jumps to the letter J tree. It holds 6 parts for the range finder.
Lettering jumps to the letter M tree. It holds wood ammo boxes (14 parts)
Lettering jumps again to letter Q tree. It holds ammo rounds etc. (12 parts)
Lettering jumps again to letter Q tree. It holds ammo rounds etc. (12 parts)
The un-alphabetized tree holds the parts of the crew figures. They are divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs.(53 parts)
The metal parts, wire and decals complete the kit’s content.
Great detail.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.