DML 6220: Flakpanzer I - 2cm Flak 38 auf Pz. Kpfw I Ausf. A
1/35 injection plastic kit with decals, PE and turned metal

The Flakpanzer I was constructed by mounting the widely used 20mm Flak 38 on the chassis of an early model Panzer I tank. About 24 of these anti-aircraft tanks were built, and they were used on the Eastern Front from 1941 until the surrender at Stalingrad. While there is limited reference on these AFVs, surviving photos and veteran reports provide a good indication of the their configuration and history. These photos show a high degree of consistency in the Flakpanzer I's appearance suggesting that they were a planned conversion. The Dragon kit compares favourably to these photos.

For the conversion, the hull of the Panzer I Ausf. A received a platform where the turret previously was, a new flat engine deck and the front superstructure was removed and replaced with a new design that was further forward. Three side plates were installed and were meant to be folded down as platforms for servicing the gun when in action, rather than for crew protection. The Flakpanzer I offered the crew negligible protection from small arms. A revised tow bar was added to the rear for pulling the Flak 38's Sd.Ah. 51 trailer. Ammunition was stored inside the tank hull (i.e. underneath the Flak) and in a box mounted on the trailer.

This new release from Dragon includes all new parts to build the Panzer IA hull and the distinct parts involved in converting it into the Flakpanzer. The gun and trailer are from the recent Flak 38 release and have new parts for the modified gun shield and trailer. Like with other new Dragon releases the parts are crisp and easy to remove from the sprues. A range of multimedia accessories including photo etch and clear vision blocks are included.

NEW HULL

The newly tooled chassis include a one-piece lower tub for the Panzer I Ausf A and a new sprue for the road wheels, idler etc. The lower hull is particularly detailed and features small details such as the contour near the belly plate, which are often missed in scale models. The suspension can be assembled with some articulation to allow for positioning on a diorama base either with the kit’s own tracks (while the glue dries) or with aftermarket workable tracks.

Photo etch parts are provided for the vertical side plates on the engine deck where the PE works very well as the panels were perforated. PE parts are also provided for the mesh exhaust shrouds, while preformed metal is used for the frontal armour around the driver’s compartment, where its thin profile gives an in scale appearance (the upper lip had a gap behind it).

Other features include:

Comprehensive interior, which includes the driver’s compartment, battery case, rear bulkhead and the transmission, which is made from multiple slide-molded parts.
Clear plastic vision blocks and a driver's visor that can be assembled open or closed.
Crisp detail for small fittings such as the rear tow bar, which is built from PE and injection plastic, the clear lens for a headlamp and flexible tube on the hull front.
The platform for the Flak has a diamond pattern antiskid plate, while the frontal armour has good detail for the weld marks and bolt heads.
· Side fenders with anti-skid pattern on the upper surface and a lip (fold) on the outer edge. There are no predrilled holes on the upper surface which combined with the inclusion of a set of tools without clamps would be ideal for modellers using aftermarket PE clamps. The out of the box build involves drilling holes in the pre-marked recesses on the fenders’ underside and using a set of tools with moulded on clamps.

· The front and rear fender flaps are separate pieces and the design lends itself to replacing them with aftermarket PE to depict battle damaged or to have them folded up.

The tracks are the traditional separate link system with 5 connecting points and no sink marks. While not workable, each link has 4 small plugs, which mate with slots on the adjoining links. This will ensure a precise alignment of the tracks.

FLAK 38
The gun has crisp detail and features a mix of slide-molding, multiple parts for items such as the main gun sight, and some photo etch.

The barrel is a single piece slide-molding with a hollow muzzle opening, while the flash suppressors on the side are represented by indentations. I expect that some modelers will replace this with an aftermarket metal one, however the kit barrel is crisper than several one-piece metal flak barrels that I’ve seen.

The injection plastic gun shield parts have tapering edges, no injection pin marks, detail for the brackets with nut heads and appear to be straightforward to assemble. The lower edges have been cutaway to clear the frontal armour and thus the Flakpanzer’s shield is different to that in the standalone Flak 38 kit. The gun platform has a round base plate with raised anti-skid dimples, and bolt heads and countersunk recesses around the outer rim.

Optional photo etch parts are included for the gunner’s small shield, but not the larger main shield. The spent shell case has PE mesh for the netting and for the lower netting there is pre-formed metal for quick assembly.

Alternative arms and plates allow the gun to be positioned at one of four angles of elevation, namely flat at zero degrees, raised 20 degrees, 40 degrees and 60 degrees, which effectively allow a modeler to choose a position in each band of elevation.

SD. AH. 51 TRAILER

The trailer is well detailed and for this kit and is loaded with the Flak’s cast metal base and the ammunition box. Detail includes the locks on the boxes and the finely cast taillights. The tyres are a two-piece injection plastic design with a recess where the valve was, hexagonal wheel nuts and a military tread pattern with large blocks extending onto the sidewalls. The tube frame for the trailer has some seam marks which can be quickly removed with a hobby knife. The ammunition box can be assembled either closed or open (several spare clips are included as are two small ammunition cases).

The weld marks going around the edge of the Flak’s base are visible in photos (and should not be mistaken for seams that need removing). The base also has several small grab handles cast onto it and the alternative plastic and PE parts for the hand wheels are both finely reproduced.

The trailer’s coupling can be left articulated allowing the trailer to be used in either the parked position or being towed by the Flakpanzer.

DECALS
A small crisply registered decal sheet by Cartograf containing markings for two Flakpanzer I, while 3 view outlines are included for two more vehicles. All vehicles are from Flak Abteiling 614 on the Eastern Front. The markings include the unit’s emblem of a musical drum with sticks on a black shield, white Balkan crosses and tactical numbers. Three vehicles are in overall grey and the third is in whitewash. Photos of white Flakpanzer show the crew wearing white sheeting as camouflage over their field coats.

RECOMMENDATION
The Dragon Flakpanzer I is a crisp kit which promises to build into an interesting model of this anti-aircraft tank. The kit is comprehensive and will meet most modeller’s expectations for accessories, while also providing a solid base for super detailing. Its strengths include the new hull, full driver’s compartment, inclusion of the trailer and preformed metal for the frontal armor. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord

"... It's an impressively thought-out model ..."

< full review here >
- Jim Rae

"... From the ground, up, the parts are all completely new; none are from previous DML kits ..."

< full review here >
- Frank De Sisto

"... The kit is beautifully engineered with "slide molding"..."

< full review here >
- Cookie Sewell