1:100 Flammpanzer 38(t)

The Flammpanzer 38(t) in 1:100 scale from Zebrano

It is a resin kit for experienced modelers, not an injection-molded plastic model. It captures the flamethrower conversion of the light tank destroyer on the 38(t) chassis in 1:100 scale. The small scale and the low number of parts make the model a quick project for a display case or an accessory to larger scenes and tabletop games, where 1:100 is commonly used. The manufacturer is the Belarusian firm Zebrano.

The real subject

The tank destroyer on the 38(t) chassis was a low tracked vehicle with an armored superstructure with sloping sides, built at the close of the Second World War. The flamethrower conversion replaced the main gun with a flamethrower, so the vehicle served a different purpose from the original antitank version. From the outside it is recognized above all by a different treatment of the front part of the superstructure and by a different construction of the barrel, or rather of the nozzle, which is the main distinguishing feature for a modeler.

Building and painting tips

First wash the castings in lukewarm water with detergent, so that the release agent is removed, or the paint will not hold. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a cutting disc, level the surfaces on abrasive paper and sand rather wet and with respiratory protection. It is glued with cyanoacrylate super glue; ordinary cement for plastic will not join resin. Apply a thin base coat before painting. In 1:100 scale choose lighter shades than with large models, because a small object goes optically darker. A light dry brush on the edges and a fine wash into the recesses help to pick things out, but dose the weathering sparingly.

Who the model is for

• modelers building equipment in 1:100 scale
• players of tabletop games who want a more detailed model of a vehicle
• those interested in less usual variants of vehicles
• more experienced builders used to working with resin

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted as a resin kit. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.