In Box Review of Trumpeter 1/35th Scale
German Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E/F
Kit no. 01577
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2011
This kit was sent by Trumpeter to the Cybermodeler site for review. At that time the MSRP was $37.95.
I was on the staff there at that time and the manager of the site gave the kit to me.
It is available at Squadron for $32.00 or at Hobby Linc for $36,89 or at Sprue Brothers for $43.99 or at 1001 Hobbies for $31.99 or at Kit Linx for $35.95 and at one location overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2011
This kit was sent by Trumpeter to the Cybermodeler site for review. At that time the MSRP was $37.95.
I was on the staff there at that time and the manager of the site gave the kit to me.
It is available at Squadron for $32.00 or at Hobby Linc for $36,89 or at Sprue Brothers for $43.99 or at 1001 Hobbies for $31.99 or at Kit Linx for $35.95 and at one location overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), originally known as the ČKD LT vz. 38, was a tank designed during the 1930s, which saw extensive service during World War II. Developed in Czechoslovakia by ČKD, the type was adopted by Nazi Germany following the annexation of Czechoslovakia. With the German Army and other Axis forces, the type saw service in the invasions of Poland, France and the USSR.
Production ended in 1942, when its main armament was deemed inadequate. In all, over 1,400 Pz. 38(t)s were manufactured. The chassis of the Pz. 38(t) continued to be produced for the Marder III (1942–1944) with some of its components used in the later Jagdpanzer 38 (1944–1945) tank destroyer and its derivative vehicles.
The (t) stands for tschechisch, the German word for Czech; the Czechoslovak military designation was LT vz. 38 (Lehký tank vzor 38, Light Tank model 38). Manufacturer's designations included TNH series, TNHPS, LTP and LTH. The special vehicle (Sonderkraftfahrzeug) designation for the tank in Germany was Sd. Kfz. 140.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Light tank
Place of origin: Czechoslovakia
In service: 1939–1945 (Nazi Germany), 1938–1970 (Peru)
Used by: Nazi Germany. Romania, Kingdom of Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Peru, Iran
Wars: World War II, Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, Internal conflict in Peru
Designer: ČKD
Manufacturer: ČKD
Produced: 1939–1942
No. built: 1,414 (for Germany)
Mass: 9.725–9.85 tonnes (9.571–9.694 long tons; 10.720–10.858 short tons)
Length: 4.61 m (15 ft 1 in)
Width: 2.14 m (7 ft 0 in)
Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) (overall)
Crew: 4
Armor: 8–30 mm (Ausf. A–D), 8–50 mm (Ausf. E–G)
Main armament: 37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8
Secondary armament: 2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns
Engine: Praga Typ TNHPS/II water-cooled, 6-cylinder gasoline engine of 123.3 hp (125.0 PS; 91.9 kW)
Power/weight: 3.15 PS/tonne
Transmission: 5 + 1 Praga-Wilson Typ CV
Suspension: leaf spring
Ground clearance: 0.40 m
Fuel capacity: 220 litres (58 US gal)
Operational range: 250 km (160 mi) (road), 160 km (99 mi) (cross-country)
Maximum speed: 42 km/h, 26.1 mph (road), 15 km/h, 9.3 mph (off-road)
The Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), originally known as the ČKD LT vz. 38, was a tank designed during the 1930s, which saw extensive service during World War II. Developed in Czechoslovakia by ČKD, the type was adopted by Nazi Germany following the annexation of Czechoslovakia. With the German Army and other Axis forces, the type saw service in the invasions of Poland, France and the USSR.
Production ended in 1942, when its main armament was deemed inadequate. In all, over 1,400 Pz. 38(t)s were manufactured. The chassis of the Pz. 38(t) continued to be produced for the Marder III (1942–1944) with some of its components used in the later Jagdpanzer 38 (1944–1945) tank destroyer and its derivative vehicles.
The (t) stands for tschechisch, the German word for Czech; the Czechoslovak military designation was LT vz. 38 (Lehký tank vzor 38, Light Tank model 38). Manufacturer's designations included TNH series, TNHPS, LTP and LTH. The special vehicle (Sonderkraftfahrzeug) designation for the tank in Germany was Sd. Kfz. 140.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Light tank
Place of origin: Czechoslovakia
In service: 1939–1945 (Nazi Germany), 1938–1970 (Peru)
Used by: Nazi Germany. Romania, Kingdom of Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Peru, Iran
Wars: World War II, Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, Internal conflict in Peru
Designer: ČKD
Manufacturer: ČKD
Produced: 1939–1942
No. built: 1,414 (for Germany)
Mass: 9.725–9.85 tonnes (9.571–9.694 long tons; 10.720–10.858 short tons)
Length: 4.61 m (15 ft 1 in)
Width: 2.14 m (7 ft 0 in)
Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) (overall)
Crew: 4
Armor: 8–30 mm (Ausf. A–D), 8–50 mm (Ausf. E–G)
Main armament: 37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8
Secondary armament: 2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns
Engine: Praga Typ TNHPS/II water-cooled, 6-cylinder gasoline engine of 123.3 hp (125.0 PS; 91.9 kW)
Power/weight: 3.15 PS/tonne
Transmission: 5 + 1 Praga-Wilson Typ CV
Suspension: leaf spring
Ground clearance: 0.40 m
Fuel capacity: 220 litres (58 US gal)
Operational range: 250 km (160 mi) (road), 160 km (99 mi) (cross-country)
Maximum speed: 42 km/h, 26.1 mph (road), 15 km/h, 9.3 mph (off-road)
THE KIT:
Trumpeter is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Macau, China. They make all manner of plastic model subject kits in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E/F moving across a grassy plain with 2 German infantry-men running beside it.
The tank is overall Panzer-grey with a large white number 833 on the sides of the turret. The commander is standing in the roof hatch of the turret. He wears a black Panzer uniform with a side cap.
The two infantrymen are running. They wear field-grey uniforms with steel helmets. Both are armed with Mauser 98K carbines. In the background there is a burning tank, that I cannot identify. Sorry !
The lower right hand corner of the box art says: Detailed scale kit for adult collectors to assemble. Actual model may vary from image on box. WARNING: Not for children under 3 years due to small parts. In English and Chinese.
One side panel of the box has a one-paragraph history of the tank, followed by a one paragraph history of the 38(t) in English, followed by a color side view illustration of the tank in the box art scheme. A color illustration of the brass PE fret in the kit is shown also. Kit made in China and Trumpeter’s street and web address in Macau, China are supplied.
Trumpeter is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Macau, China. They make all manner of plastic model subject kits in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) Ausf. E/F moving across a grassy plain with 2 German infantry-men running beside it.
The tank is overall Panzer-grey with a large white number 833 on the sides of the turret. The commander is standing in the roof hatch of the turret. He wears a black Panzer uniform with a side cap.
The two infantrymen are running. They wear field-grey uniforms with steel helmets. Both are armed with Mauser 98K carbines. In the background there is a burning tank, that I cannot identify. Sorry !
The lower right hand corner of the box art says: Detailed scale kit for adult collectors to assemble. Actual model may vary from image on box. WARNING: Not for children under 3 years due to small parts. In English and Chinese.
One side panel of the box has a one-paragraph history of the tank, followed by a one paragraph history of the 38(t) in English, followed by a color side view illustration of the tank in the box art scheme. A color illustration of the brass PE fret in the kit is shown also. Kit made in China and Trumpeter’s street and web address in Macau, China are supplied.
The other side-panel of the box shows the one paragraph history again in Chinese, followed by another color side-view of the tank in a wave-pattern camouflage of sand and dark-green, with a black and white German cross on the sides of the turret. Followed by: This product is not a toy. This product is suitable for ages over 14 only, in multiple languages, including English.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 14 tan parts-trees, the tan hull tub part, a brass PE fret, the decal sheet and the instructions. Nothing is cello bagged.
Tan letter A tree holds the top sections (8 parts)
This kit holds 14 tan parts-trees, the tan hull tub part, a brass PE fret, the decal sheet and the instructions. Nothing is cello bagged.
Tan letter A tree holds the top sections (8 parts)
Tan letter B tree holds: the fenders, tools, shovel, head light, muffler etc. (52 parts)
Tan letter C tree holds the turret parts and gun barrel etc. (33 parts)
There are 2 identical tan letter D parts trees. They hold: the road wheels, drive sprocket, idler wheels, spare track runs, leaf springs etc. ( 26 parts ea.)
Lettering jumps to the 5 identical tan letter T trees. They hold one style of individual track links. I am not sure if they are the early or late style ones.
A second set of 4 identical tan letter T trees the other style of individual track links. Again, we are not told if these are early or late style ones. (23 parts ea.)
The tan hull tub part is next (1 part) It is housed in a cardboard position, that is it’s size in one corner of the box.
The brass PE fret holds air intake screens etc. (9 parts)
There is a single-sheet in the kit, printed on both sides in color, on slick-coated paper. It is a painting and marking guide. One side shows as 5 view of the 38(t) in the box art scheme (already described above)
The other side shows another 5-view of the 38(t) in the wave pattern camouflage scheme (also already described above).
The other side shows another 5-view of the 38(t) in the wave pattern camouflage scheme (also already described above).
The decal sheet completes the kit’s contents.
There are no crew figures included. The only interior detail is the cannon breech inside the turret.
The detail is very good,
Recommended.
The detail is very good,
Recommended.