In Box Review of Tom Modellbau 1/35th Scale
37mm L/45 Bofors Anti-tank Gun
Kit no. T35007
BY Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1990’s
Out of production
BY Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1990’s
Out of production
HISTORY:
The Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun was an anti-tank gun designed by Swedish manufacturer Bofors in the early 1930s originally for Swedish use. It was exported to several countries during the 1930s of which several bought licenses to produce it themselves.
The gun was used in several conflicts but most of its fame comes from its use in the Spanish Civil War and the Winter War where it was used very successfully against light tanks and armored cars among other targets. Beyond its use as an infantry gun it was also used as the main armament in several armored cars and tanks such as the Dutch M39 Pantserwagen and the Polish 7TP to name a few.
As the armor of tanks was increased during World War II the gun very quickly became obsolete as an anti-tank gun but was still used effectively as an infantry support gun for the entirety of the war, and well into the Cold War. This was due to its high fire rate, great mobility and effective high explosive shells.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Anti-tank gun
Place of origin: Sweden
Designed: 1934
Manufacturer: Bofors
Produced: 1935 –?
Mass: 370 kg (816 lbs.)
Length: 3.04 m (10.0 ft.)
Barrel length: 1.6 m (5 ft. 3 in) 45 calibers
Width: 1.09 m (3 ft. 7 in)
Height: 1.03 m (3 ft. 5 in)
Shel: fixed QF 37×257 mm. R
Shell weight: .74 kg (1 lb. 10 oz.)[1]
Caliber: 37 mm (1.45 in)
Breech: vertical sliding-block
Carriage: split trail
Elevation: -10° to 25°
Traverse: 50°
Rate of fire: 12 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity: 800–870 m/s, (2,625-2,854 ft./s)
Effective firing range: 4,000 m (4,374 yds.)
Maximum firing range: 6,500 m (7,108 yds.)
The Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun was an anti-tank gun designed by Swedish manufacturer Bofors in the early 1930s originally for Swedish use. It was exported to several countries during the 1930s of which several bought licenses to produce it themselves.
The gun was used in several conflicts but most of its fame comes from its use in the Spanish Civil War and the Winter War where it was used very successfully against light tanks and armored cars among other targets. Beyond its use as an infantry gun it was also used as the main armament in several armored cars and tanks such as the Dutch M39 Pantserwagen and the Polish 7TP to name a few.
As the armor of tanks was increased during World War II the gun very quickly became obsolete as an anti-tank gun but was still used effectively as an infantry support gun for the entirety of the war, and well into the Cold War. This was due to its high fire rate, great mobility and effective high explosive shells.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Anti-tank gun
Place of origin: Sweden
Designed: 1934
Manufacturer: Bofors
Produced: 1935 –?
Mass: 370 kg (816 lbs.)
Length: 3.04 m (10.0 ft.)
Barrel length: 1.6 m (5 ft. 3 in) 45 calibers
Width: 1.09 m (3 ft. 7 in)
Height: 1.03 m (3 ft. 5 in)
Shel: fixed QF 37×257 mm. R
Shell weight: .74 kg (1 lb. 10 oz.)[1]
Caliber: 37 mm (1.45 in)
Breech: vertical sliding-block
Carriage: split trail
Elevation: -10° to 25°
Traverse: 50°
Rate of fire: 12 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity: 800–870 m/s, (2,625-2,854 ft./s)
Effective firing range: 4,000 m (4,374 yds.)
Maximum firing range: 6,500 m (7,108 yds.)
THE KIT:
Tom Modellbau is based in Neubranderburg, Germany.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a 37mm L/45 Bofors anti-tank gun with a 2 man crew (crew not included in the kit), posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
The gun is overall olive-green. The figures are illustrated pale and ghost-like. They both wear British style helmets. One man is standing and leaning on the shield and looking over it. The other man is pointing with his right arm and holding a pair of binoculars in his left hand. He is kneeling on one knee.
Side panels show a small color repeat of the box art, followed by the Tom logo. One side gives Tom’s street address, telephone and FAX numbers in Germany.
Tom Modellbau is based in Neubranderburg, Germany.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a 37mm L/45 Bofors anti-tank gun with a 2 man crew (crew not included in the kit), posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
The gun is overall olive-green. The figures are illustrated pale and ghost-like. They both wear British style helmets. One man is standing and leaning on the shield and looking over it. The other man is pointing with his right arm and holding a pair of binoculars in his left hand. He is kneeling on one knee.
Side panels show a small color repeat of the box art, followed by the Tom logo. One side gives Tom’s street address, telephone and FAX numbers in Germany.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains one dark-grey parts tree and 2 hard-rubber black tires in a sealed clear cello bag with the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet, printed on both sides in 6” x 8 ¼” format.
The face side begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art and a repeat of Tom’s address, telephone & FAX numbers.
Below is the history of the gun in English and German.
The reverse side gives one large exploded drawing to use for assembly.
The tree is not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. It does, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on it. Bad move Tom!
It holds: the gun parts, shield, axle, wheel hubs etc. (51 parts)
This kit contains one dark-grey parts tree and 2 hard-rubber black tires in a sealed clear cello bag with the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet, printed on both sides in 6” x 8 ¼” format.
The face side begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art and a repeat of Tom’s address, telephone & FAX numbers.
Below is the history of the gun in English and German.
The reverse side gives one large exploded drawing to use for assembly.
The tree is not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. It does, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on it. Bad move Tom!
It holds: the gun parts, shield, axle, wheel hubs etc. (51 parts)
The 2 black hard-rubber tires completes the kits contents.
There are no crew figures or decals included. The lack of a decal is not a problem, because I pretty much think the gun was never marked. However, the lack of a crew is un-forgivable.
Otherwise- recommended. Nice detail throughout.