Pz.38(t) Ausf. G

History: In 1941 the German army placed an order for 500 more 38(t)s, which ended up being the "G" model. Construction was similar the previous series, although the manufacturing process was simplified, which resulted in fewer attachment points on the front plates. The plate in front of the driver was now held in place by 6 bolts instead of 13. Also on the "G", the Notek light was moved from the front fender to the upper edge of the front hull plate, where it was better protected.

[All of the gun barrels were drilled out.]

[The muffler was drilled out and dented up, and a fine chain was draped across the rear tow hooks.]

The 38(t) was renowned for its reliability and ease of maintenance, and the basic design was used as a starting point for a wide range of vehicles, some that continued to be produced after the war. Powered by a 150hp six-cylinder engine, it could reach 26mph road speed. It was armed with a Skoda 37mm main gun and two 7.92mm machine guns.

The Kit: I like these little UM kits. Decent detail, good molding, parts that fit, reasonable price, and a little fret of photo-etched thrown in for good measure. The down side is the hull is cast in pieces, and not a one-piece tub. This is common with Eastern kits, and really isn't that bad but a location pin or two would be nice. There was no real interior in the kit. Construction was pretty strait ahead with no real issues.

[The turret was also a multi piece assembly with no locating pins, and is kind of tricky to get aligned properly.]

[The photo-etched perforated toolbox provided a great finishing detail]

[The photo-etched parts also included the fender supports.]

The turret was also a multi piece assembly with no locating pins, and is kind of tricky to get aligned properly. All of the gun barrels were drilled out, and the muffler was also drilled out and dented up. The photo-etched parts included the fender supports, and the perforated toolbox, which provided great finishing details. Maybe my only complaint would be that the grill on the back deck was not included with the PE parts.

Finishing: The tank was primed with MM German gray, and then base coated with M.M. dunkelgelb. I then cut small random shapes out of tape and placed them on the model, before spraying a dark brown, followed by a German olive green. The whole thing was coated with Tamiya clear acrylic, and then the decals and a burnt umber oil wash were appled. Next I applied a dullcoat and drybrushed all three colors with oils.

[The tracks are link and length, and are the hardest part of the kit.]

The hardest part of the kit was the tracks. The tracks are link and length, and by themselves aren't bad, however the alignment with all of the wheels was problematic. The parts are just so small! There is also not much room below those fenders.

[On the left side, I placed a wooden box and a jerry can, both from an Academy kit.]

[On the right side, I put a helmet and a bunch of personal gear from a Preiser set in a little crate.]

The on vehicle tools are very nice and were another highlight of the kit. I opted to replace the jack block with a piece of wood, secured with a Grandt bolt. I also added some stowage. On the left side, I placed a wooden box and a jerry can, both from an Academy kit, and on the right side, I put a helmet and a bunch of personal gear from a Preiser set in a little crate. Lastly, a fine chain was draped across the rear tow hooks.

The base features some dirt from 3 Guyz, and a resin tree stump from Armond Bayardi. The grass is Woodland Scenics, and the rocks and pebbles are real. I picked up the pre-cut piece of wood base from a crafts store for just a buck or two, and gave it a light sanding before staining and spraying a polyurethane top coating.

[I opted to replace the jack block with a piece of wood, secured with a Grandt bolt.]

References:
Praga LT vz.38, Francev & Kliment, MBI, 1997
PzKfz 38(t) in action, Kliment & Doyle, Squadron Signal Publications, 1979

[The on vehicle tools are very nice and were another highlight of the kit.]