1:72 2 cm Flak 38 auf Panzer I Ausf. A

The real subject

The Panzer I Ausf. A light tank came about in the early 1930s as a training and interim type with only two machine guns in the turret. On the battlefield it grew obsolete quickly, but plenty of its chassis were left over, so they were turned into carriers for heavier weapons. One such conversion was a vehicle with an automatic cannon of 2 cm caliber: instead of the turret, an open platform with a Flak 38 cannon was set on the hull, able to fire in every direction. Only a few were built and they served in small numbers on the Eastern Front.

What the model represents

The whole machine in 1:72 scale, that is the Panzer I Ausf. A chassis as well as the cannon and its mount on the open platform. It is an unusual type that is missing from the ordinary display case of German equipment, and yet it stands exactly on the border between a tank and an anti-aircraft vehicle.

• 1:72 scale
• an improvised anti-aircraft vehicle on the Panzer I Ausf. A chassis
• armed with a 2 cm Flak 38 automatic cannon
• fits the theme of German columns and their protection from the air

Building and painting tips

Wash and degrease the parts before painting; a primer will then help the paint hold. Split the build up: first the hull with the running gear, then the platform and the mount. Fit the cannon barrel at the very end, because it breaks off easily while the model is being handled. The open platform leaves the inside visible, so paint the interior surfaces before you close them in.

Who it is for

For collectors of German equipment in 1:72 scale who are looking for a less usual type. The package does not contain paints or glue, unless stated otherwise.