1:35 Sturmpanzerwagen - A7V

Sturmpanzerwagen A7V in 1:35 scale (Tauro)

This plastic kit in 1:35 scale captures the Sturmpanzerwagen A7V, the very first German tank, from the end of the First World War. The model conveys its massive boxy hull, reminiscent of a mobile fortress with several machine guns and a gun in the front. It is an older mold that reflects the time when it was made, so building it makes higher demands on clean-up and on fitting the parts. For lovers of Great War equipment, though, it is one of the few ways to build this historic machine in this scale.

The real subject

The A7V was the first German tank intended for series production, created as an answer to the British and French tracked machines. A numerous crew was crammed inside the huge armored box, and the vehicle carried a gun at the front and several machine guns distributed around its sides. It was heavy, slow and hard to handle over broken ground, yet it became a symbol of the beginnings of tank warfare. The German army deployed only a small number of them during 1918.

Building and painting tips

With an older mold, count on careful clean-up of the parting seams and possible fitting of the joints. Assemble and paint the running gear and the lower areas before you close the hull up. Apply the base coat with an airbrush over a primer; the prominent riveted surfaces and edges positively invite being brought out with dark washes and light paint wear. Suggest the dust and mud of trench warfare with pigments on the underside and the running gear. Patience and classic weathering techniques will turn this unusual colossus into a striking piece.

Who the model is for

• For lovers of First World War equipment
• For collectors who want a rare and unusual subject
• For more experienced modelers used to older molds
• For makers of historical dioramas from 1917 and 1918

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