In Box Review of Tristar 1/35th Scale
German 20mm Flak 38 Figure Set
Kit no. 35013
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2004
I paid $15.95 for this kit years ago at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
The kit is available at Kit Linx for $13.55.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2004
I paid $15.95 for this kit years ago at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
The kit is available at Kit Linx for $13.55.
HISTORY:
The Flak 30 (Flugzeugabwehrkanone 30) and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm anti-aircraft guns used by various German forces throughout World War II. It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun, but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war.
It was produced in a variety of models, notably the Flakvierling 38 which combined four Flak 38 autocannons onto a single carriage.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Anti-aircraft weapon, Anti-materiel and anti-personnel weapon
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: April 1934–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany & Finland
Wars: World War II
Manufacturer: Rheinmetall-Borsig, Mauser, Ostmarkwerk
Unit cost: 3500 Reichsmark
Produced:1934–1945
No. built: more than 144,000
Variants: 2 cm Flak 38, Gebirgsflak 38, Flakvierling 38
Mass: 450 kg (992 lbs)
Length: 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in)
Barrel length: 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) L/65
Width: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Height: 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
Crew: 5
Shell: 20×138mmB
Caliber: 20 mm (.79 in)
Elevation: -12°to ±90°
Traverse: 360°
Rate of fire: 280–450 rpm (cyclic), 120–180 rpm (practical)
Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective firing range: 2,200 m (2,406 yds) (anti-aircraft)
Maximum firing range: 5,783 m (5,230 yds) (ground range)
Feed system: 20 round box magazine
The Flak 30 (Flugzeugabwehrkanone 30) and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm anti-aircraft guns used by various German forces throughout World War II. It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun, but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war.
It was produced in a variety of models, notably the Flakvierling 38 which combined four Flak 38 autocannons onto a single carriage.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Anti-aircraft weapon, Anti-materiel and anti-personnel weapon
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: April 1934–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany & Finland
Wars: World War II
Manufacturer: Rheinmetall-Borsig, Mauser, Ostmarkwerk
Unit cost: 3500 Reichsmark
Produced:1934–1945
No. built: more than 144,000
Variants: 2 cm Flak 38, Gebirgsflak 38, Flakvierling 38
Mass: 450 kg (992 lbs)
Length: 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in)
Barrel length: 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) L/65
Width: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Height: 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
Crew: 5
Shell: 20×138mmB
Caliber: 20 mm (.79 in)
Elevation: -12°to ±90°
Traverse: 360°
Rate of fire: 280–450 rpm (cyclic), 120–180 rpm (practical)
Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective firing range: 2,200 m (2,406 yds) (anti-aircraft)
Maximum firing range: 5,783 m (5,230 yds) (ground range)
Feed system: 20 round box magazine
THE KIT:
Tristar is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped end opening type box.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a color illustration of a 4 man German gun crew manning a 20mm Flak 38 gun, that is in a large grassy field.
All the men wear panzer-grey uniforms with steel helmets and black jack boots.
Reading left to right, the 1st man is squatting and holding a 20mm steel ammo can in his right hand.
The 2nd man to the right is kneeling on both knees and pulling a ammo clip out of another steel 20mm ammo can.
The 3rd man is perhaps an officer. He is standing and pointing up to the sky with his right arm. He has a pistol holster on his belt and a pair of binoculars in his left hand.
Next to the left is 2 men manning the Flak 38. One man is seated on it and turning the elevation wheel.
The last man is standing behind the gun and looking up.
The cover art says that sculpting and figure design was done by Yoshitaka Hirano. The kit project was supervised by Hiroyuki Nakada and illustrations were done by Yuji Asano.
The box contains 5 figures and the 20mm Flak 38 is not included in the kit.
One side panel says the kit is ready to assemble and a precision model. Cement and paint are not included. Modeling skills helpful if under 10 years of age.
Below this is Tristar’s Japanese office address, its phone and FAX numbers, E-mail and web addresses.
Tristar’s address in Hong Kong, China is also provided, with the telephone and FAX numbers and E-mail address.
Kit was made in China.
Tristar is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped end opening type box.
I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a color illustration of a 4 man German gun crew manning a 20mm Flak 38 gun, that is in a large grassy field.
All the men wear panzer-grey uniforms with steel helmets and black jack boots.
Reading left to right, the 1st man is squatting and holding a 20mm steel ammo can in his right hand.
The 2nd man to the right is kneeling on both knees and pulling a ammo clip out of another steel 20mm ammo can.
The 3rd man is perhaps an officer. He is standing and pointing up to the sky with his right arm. He has a pistol holster on his belt and a pair of binoculars in his left hand.
Next to the left is 2 men manning the Flak 38. One man is seated on it and turning the elevation wheel.
The last man is standing behind the gun and looking up.
The cover art says that sculpting and figure design was done by Yoshitaka Hirano. The kit project was supervised by Hiroyuki Nakada and illustrations were done by Yuji Asano.
The box contains 5 figures and the 20mm Flak 38 is not included in the kit.
One side panel says the kit is ready to assemble and a precision model. Cement and paint are not included. Modeling skills helpful if under 10 years of age.
Below this is Tristar’s Japanese office address, its phone and FAX numbers, E-mail and web addresses.
Tristar’s address in Hong Kong, China is also provided, with the telephone and FAX numbers and E-mail address.
Kit was made in China.
Other side panel repeats Tristar’s Hong Kong address, FAX no., E-mail and web addresses, followed by 3 color box arts of other Tristar figure kits: Kit no. 35010, the German 20mm Flak 38, Kit no. 35011, 5 German Afrika Korps figures and Kit no. 35012, 7 Russian Tank Crew Figures.
The bottom of the box serves as the painting and assembly instructions.
Shown are color illustrations of the fronts and backs of each of the 5 figures. Below them is a suggested color listing of Tamiya, Mr. Color and Humbrol brands of hobby paints, in Chinese and English.
Shown are color illustrations of the fronts and backs of each of the 5 figures. Below them is a suggested color listing of Tamiya, Mr. Color and Humbrol brands of hobby paints, in Chinese and English.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 2 medium-grey trees in 3 sealed clear cello bags.
Trees are not alphabetized.
The 1st medium-grey tree holds: 3 figures. Two are full-bodied. One of them has a separate lower left leg. The other man has both his lower legs separate. The third man has a separate torso and legs. All three have separate heads and arms.
Also on the tree is a pistol holster and pair of binoculars (22 parts)
The kit holds 2 medium-grey trees in 3 sealed clear cello bags.
Trees are not alphabetized.
The 1st medium-grey tree holds: 3 figures. Two are full-bodied. One of them has a separate lower left leg. The other man has both his lower legs separate. The third man has a separate torso and legs. All three have separate heads and arms.
Also on the tree is a pistol holster and pair of binoculars (22 parts)
The 2nd medium-grey tree holds: 2 figures. One is full bodied with a separate right shoe, arms and head. The other figure has seperate head, torso, arms and legs. Also on the tree is the 2 steel 20mm ammo cases and 2 ammo clips and 5 steel helmets. (21 parts)
There are no decals in the kit.
There are no decals in the kit.
Highly recommended.