Panzer 38(t) Ausf G in 1:35 scale

Even though this is supposed to be a wargaming blog, I'm really into these larger scale tank models now. I have to admit it is a very nice facet of our wonderful hobby which until now I had only touched upon occasionally. My latest model is a 1:35 scale Panzer 38(t) Ausf G from Hobby Boss. These early tanks proved to be very resilient and even though production was discontinued around 1942 (they had become hopelessly obsolete by then), they continued serving practically until the end. The 38(t) hailed originally from Czechoslovakia - the "(t)" in its designation stands for tschechisch which is german for czech according to wiki - and even though it stopped being used as a front line tank mid way during the war, it's hull and chassis formed the basis of the Marder, Hetzer and Jagdpanzer 38. It's four large road wheels are unmistakable! 

 

This kit from Hobby Boss is extremely well produced. Parts fit perfectly, are extremely well moulded and highly detailed. It's a pity that the only interior detail is in the turret and the interior of the hull is completely devoid of detail. I even had to scratch build a partition in case light from one end of the hull would be somehow visible at the other. Seems to me a bit nonsensical to put detail in the turret but not in the hull as going for an open turret hatch would surely reveal the empty hull interior below. The version I opted for is a 1944 Bulgarian army vehicle painted entirely in dark yellow as was also customary for the Wehrmacht in the later war years. It seems the Bulgarians had only ten 38(t)'s delivered during the war. I was not aware the Bulgarians used a black cross insignia on their tanks, very similar if not identical to the markings the fascists used in the Spanish Civil War in pre-WW2 years. So you see, you also get to learn stuff apart from enjoying the build!

 

The extensive riveting on the wheels, hull and turret made for a lot of painstaking washing and highlighting (each rivet was individually washed with oils and highlighted in a buff colour) but it is such an outstanding feature on the model that it seemed a shame not to invest some more time on it. In the end I was quite pleased with the way that turned out.  Weathering and general polluting was with the usual AK pigments and washes.

 

Panzer 1 Ausf A in 1:35 scale finito!

 It's been some time since I last posted - a mixture of other priorities, working at my desk, carrying out loads of home maintenance and sheer downright disinterested laziness. Maltese summers are punishing - this one particularly so - and drains most of one's energies except to go to the beach or drink ice cold beer when it gets a bit cooler in the evening. The Euro Cup and Olympics didn't help either!

But enough excuses. The reason I am writing again is that finally - and I stress the word finally - I have managed to finish my Hobby Boss 1:35 scale Panzer 1 Ausf A.  It's been four months in the making (shame on me!) but here it is at last.

I opted for the German Grey version - the 'Negrillo'

The hatches were left open so that at least some of the interior remained visible

The driver's hatch allows a decent interior view

I tried to give a heavily used look to the tank

Starboard wheel assembly showing accumulated dust and grime

Port view. All dust weathering was done with AK pigments

The hull was weathered with a combination of oil washes and AK pigments

Tamiya panel liner and ink washes brought out the open hatch details

Top down view showing commander's position

View through the driver's hatch

I must say it was a shame to lose a lot of the interior detail but unfortunately that's how it is with AFV's. The engine cover although not cemented is firmly kept in place by the exhaust pipes and rear viewing port and if removed it can easily scratch or break some parts. So again, all the engine detail is lost from viewing -  thank goodness I took loads of pics before sealing it in!  Still haven't decided if I should put the model on a base. Probably I will but I just want to get it out of my hair now and start something else straight away while the mojo's back.

Hope it won't be another five months to the next post!!!

Panzer 1 Ausf A in 1:35 scale wip

If I really had to exert myself to find some sort of positive side to the pandemic it would be that the longer indoor hours are ideal for larger scale modelling or gaming projects. For the last few weeks I have been busy at my latest build - a 1:35 scale Pzkpfw 1 from Hobby Boss. Now this model is a bit different from most since it has a full interior build - hull, turret, and engine - so really it's two builds in one, internal and external. 

The kit - it is such an early model of the Pz1 that there is also a SCW variant

The interior is highly detailed but from my research I soon realised that I would have to make some additions. All external viewports needed to have latches, hinges, and rivets added and furthermore all electrical wiring in the crew and engine compartments was missing.  But the main headache was the interior colour. I have come across a lot of confusing references - some entirely in Ivory (the Germans used a colour called Elfenbein), some entirely in a dark hull red colour, some claiming a mixture of both with the lower hull in red while the upper hull and turret in ivory. Others mentioned a light blue differential while others still added a dark green differential since the Germans were cleverly passing their early tanks on as agricultural tractors to circumvent the Versailles treaty conditions!  Actually all these colour schemes were in force at some time or another but it is not always clear at which point they were employed between 1935 and 1945. I decided to do a Spanish Civil War vehicle and my final choice fell on an entirely Elfenbein interior but to be honest I am still not sure if I made the correct decision.

 

As for the build itself this is a really excellent kit and very few parts proved problematic to fit. When it came to finishing the interior I imagine any vehicle in which a crew is spending long hours would end up pretty messed up after a few days on campaign. So I tried to give a very dirty appearance to the interior with all types of oil, fuel, mud, and assorted grime on the lower hull flooring.  I hope I haven't overdone it but I doubt anyone would wipe their boots clean before entering a tank! The driver's feet position I messed up particularly badly seeing that it would have been constantly trodden upon and I also added rust, paint chipping and grime to both the floor and side wall. I reasoned the worst of the wear would be in the lower hull, getting less and less grimy further up in the upper hull and turret. 

Lower hull with transmission in centre foreground and driver's position on right

The Pz1's Krupp M305 engine is beautifully rendered

 

Lower hull driver's position

Lower hull interior. The port latches, hinges, and rivets are all built from scratch

 

Turret interior with suspended commander's chair. Again, all port structures are from scratch

 

The two MG13 7.92mm machine guns are highly detailed

Next to the ammo rounds in the upper hull I noticed what seems to be a toolbox which I couldn't possibly leave empty. So I quickly ordered a toolset in 1:35 scale from Mathomodels and filled the box with tools. I think it came out very nicely.

 

Mathomodels photo etched tool set. Cool!

The tools snug inside their box next to the ammo rounds

With the interior practically done it's now time for the exterior

 

I still have to do some pipework around the radiator in the engine compartment and a few touching up here and there but I consider the interior mostly done. I will now move on to the tank's exterior and hopefully upload the next post with the finished model. There are two Spanish Civil War colour versions and still haven't decided if it will be the full dark grey 'Negrillo' or the later three colour camouflage pattern in sand, green, and brown.  Jury's still out on this one!

 

Until next time, keep well.