6220, 2cm FlaK38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A, Flakpanzer I. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 344 styrene parts (plus 16 clear and 216 for track links), three stamped/etched brass parts, three etched brass frets, three stamped photo-etched brass parts, four water-slide decal marking schemes and ten pages of instructions in 20 steps.

This new kit is the second release of this rare vehicle by a major manufacturer this year. There were only 24 of these vehicles constructed as conversions of existing Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.As by the addition of a 2cm FlaK38, in 1941, well after the French Campaign of 1940. Although a rather insignificant vehicle, it is unique enough to warrant a complete kit, especially since it is a German subject; and we modelers all know that "German sells".

From the ground, up, the parts are all completely new; none are from previous DML kits of the Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B. The new tracks are of the individual-link type and must be carefully cut from five attachment points each and cleaned up prior to assembly. While they fit together quite positively using friction, glue will be required to keep them under control. The suspension system is all-new and features some parts that will remain movable after assembly; the wheels will rotate and the bogies will pivot. I recommend that the modeler fix the units in place after everything is in its proper location. If desiring to put the model on a base, plan ahead so the suspension system will properly follow the contours of your ground-work. One nice feature is a multi-part idler wheel that will properly represent the way the spokes intersect with the rim along with the channel that results on the inner rim surface. Another feature is the separate coil spring, which is the proper diameter according to drawings in the cited references.

The lower hull is a one-piece tub with integral side panels, which makes for ease of assembly. A separate bow plate/transmission housing is attached to the front, while a separate stern plate is attached in the rear. These parts are unique in that they more closely represent the actual configuration of the prototype than any other styrene kit previously issued. For instance, the rear plate, part D-2 has a curve where it changes its angle to meet the belly plate; all other kits of the Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A have a hard-edged bend. While extremely difficult to see in archival photos, and an ambiguous feature of the cited reference drawings (see below), photographs of museum examples show that DML's part is correct. Who knew?! Another point not properly represented on current (or past) Pz.Kpfw.I kits (both Ausf.A and Ausf.B-based) is the way in which the belly plate meets the bow plate/transmission housing. The bulges on either side are not a complete semi-circle; they are flat at the bottom. Or if you prefer, the belly plate extends out under these bulges, with the result that they are flat at the bottom. The kit part, D-10, while not "appearing" to be completely correct in this regard, is closer than any others to being accurate, especially after it is fitted in place.

Next are the fender units. Much like the DML Pz.Kpfw.IV kits, they are bare of tool and OVM locating holes on the upper surface, and have no knock-out pin marks underneath. The front and rear mud-flaps are separate multi-part affairs, while the tiny devices that hold the forward set to the fenders are separate parts, a rather remarkable bit of detail engineering. The instructions show which holes to open for this version, something that suggests that DML is not simply going to stop producing Ausf.A variations with this kit; other parts, marked as not for use also back up this supposition. Since the top of the vehicle is somewhat "open", DML has chosen to include some of the major interior components. So, floor plates and a rear bulkhead; driver's seat, instrument panel, hand and foot controls; transmission and battery compartment, as well as fully detailed multi-position vision devices (with clear styrene glass blocks) dress up the area very nicely. The superstructure front plate is represented by a remarkable, scale-thickness, stamped/etched brass part that includes weld bead detail and openings for view-ports; it drop-fits into two small strips that give it its proper orientation. The upper glacis plate has a separate transmission access hatch lid (featuring open bolt holes on the internal mounting flange, for a better look if it's removed), which along with a separate access panel on the gun mount, and the opened area just forward of it, will allow much of the interior to be viewed.

The gun platform has diamond-pattern non-skid tread-plate detail as well as nicely represented seat cushions and separate, multi-position side and rear panels. These can be modeled up in travel mode, or lowered in firing mode. The engine deck features etched brass side plates with this vehicle's unique perforations, while those on the rear plate are molded into the styrene. A very delicately-detailed spare gun tube container mounts at the extreme end of the deck, along with a vertical plate. Fine details abound throughout, beginning with exhaust mufflers whose fish-tail pipes have opened ends due to the intelligent use of slide molds. These are covered with perforated etched brass guards. An exquisite multi-part vehicle jack and mounts also includes a choice of wire-cutters that were mounted with it. Various tools are also provided, but unlike newer DML offerings, these have their brackets molded on; if using after-market etched brass brackets, some clean-up will be needed. Various head-and tail-lamps as well as a station keeping light and Notek black-out driving head-lamp are provided; the conventional head-lamp features a clear lens for added finesse. The hull rear plate receives a jack block and a multi-part, etched brass and styrene tow bar.

The complete kit of the previously-released 2cm FlaK38 is included, minus the stamped/etched brass gun shields; etched brass parts are included for the small shield that covered the gunner and his sight. However, this kit retains the etched brass screens that are used to depict the mesh that was mounted on many guns to catch spent shell cases. In reality they were stretched over frames, so DML has already pre-shaped the relevant parts to make assembly quite easy. There are other bits of brass to detail the remainder of the kit. These include parts for the gun as well as the turntable.

The remaining parts for the entire gun, cradle, turntable and Sd.Ah.51 trailer are molded in conventional styrene plastic. Of course, DML uses slide-molds where appropriate for such things as the gun tube. This allows the flash suppressor to be molded with an open bore as well as the appropriate holes and slots. Properly cleaned and painted, this will easily rival a comparable turned metal/laser-cut item. To this is added one of three different types of receiver covers so that the modeler can depict slightly different production variations. There are choices of etched brass or styrene parts to depict the shell ejector port on the gun's side.

The turntable can be constructed to allow the gun to rotate 360-degrees in azimuth. The gun cannot freely elevate as that would have compromised scale accuracy. DML's designers instead provided tailored parts that will allow for four positions of the gun tube. They are zero-degrees, 20-degrees, 40-degrees and 60-degrees of elevation. When the modeler gets to this stage in construction, be sure to follow the instructions carefully so the proper parts are used. Also note that the seam around the edge of part A71 belongs there, since the prototype item was welded together at that point. It will require some finesse during clean-up since the sprue gates are attached to the seam itself. Handle with care!

The Sd.Ah.51 trailer can be depicted with the "landing gear" either deployed or retracted. It is nicely detailed and includes separate handles, a tool locker that can be shown opened or closed, racks for ammunition magazine containers and nicely done wheel/tire assemblies. These last also include the tiny air inflation valves. To this is mounted the entire gun platform, upon which is then mounted a field-expedient ammunition locker. The locker has a separate lid and can be shown opened or closed, while it can be partially-filled with the accessories described next. These include a pair of spare gun tubes in their opened carrying case, separate spare 20-round ammunition magazines (slide-molded for maximum detail on all faces) and two slide-molded ammunition magazine carrying boxes, with magazine inserts if depicted opened. There is also an anvil-shaped accessory device (parts A-32 and A-33) whose purpose eludes me. There are no spent shell cases for the shell catching screens, but appropriate brass rod can easily be cut to length for that purpose.

The kits markings for the only unit to field these guns, FlaK-Batallion (mot.) 614, are printed in Italy by Cartograf. They are crisp and in register. Kompanie markings are given (a musician's drum within a shield) as are Tac numbers and white-outline Balkenkreuz national insignia. Limited references confirm two of them as accurate. The instructions depict specific markings for two vehicles, while two other un-marked Flakpanzer Is are also depicted; one in winter whitewash, the other in overall Dunkelgrau.

The instructions are in the conventional line-drawing style and are (as usual) quite busy; I could not find any problems with them. Molding and detail on the styrene parts are first-class with no visible ejector pin marks of shrinkage to be seen. The fit of major components was excellent, which I confirmed by dry-fitting a large number of them (NO, I did not build the entire kit!).

I have no reliable plans depicting the gun in its entirety, or this vehicle configuration. Only those seen in the Jentz/Doyle title on Flakpanzer in the Panzer Tracts series shows that the parts in the DML kit match the profile of the gun mounted on an Sd.Kfz.10. In particular, the proportions and length of the gun tube and its receiver match perfectly. I referred to Panzer Tracts 1-1 for relevant details of the chassis and that book's few 1/35th-scale plans (most are in a less-useful 1/24th-scale) show that DML's kit is well within acceptable tolerances regarding dimensions; the suspension system is "spot-on". The other quoted sources allowed me to further analyze various general features of the gun and the tank chassis; for instance the photo feature of the Ausf.A in Axval, Sweden, confirmed the rounded contour of the rear plate.

Extra-special thanks must go to DMLs advisor on this project, Ed Kusiak, for his time spent answering several questions I had regarding the kit, for the visual references he provided to me, and for the on-line resources he directed me to.

If I said this was the most accurate Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A chassis on the market, tied to the most accurate 2cm FlaK38 on the market, it will most certainly seem like hyperbole. I am sure someone will further analyze the kit and find "major" errors that I may have missed. So be it! In the mean time, the rest of you "SGFs" can simply enjoy this fine model!

Highly recommended.

- Frank De Sisto