GPM
Panzer 38(t)
scale 1:25
by Michael Cittadino
Photographs by the author
The vehicle
The PzKpfw was originally designed as a replacement for the
Czech LT vz 35 light tank and designated the LT vz 38, however none had entered
service at the time of the German occupation in 1939. The Germans redesignated
the tank and maintained production through 1942. In addition to German service
the tank was exported to East European satellites including Romania and Bulgaria.
The hull and turret were of rivited construction. Armament consisted of a 37.2-mm
main gun and 7.92-mm bow and turret mounted machine guns. Crew was four men
consisting of a driver and bow machine gunner seated in front and the commander
and main gunner in the two man turret. After outliving it's useful life as a
tank the chassis was used as the basis for a variety of vehicles including the
Marder and Hetzer tank destroyers.
The Model
This was one of my first card models and is still one of my favorites. Overall
a simple and straightforward model to build with good parts fit throughout.
The model sports an excellent weathered finish. The model appears to be another
GPM repaint of an older offering and while the drafting quality is not as precise
as the more recent computer generated models the hand drawn quality blends well
with the weathered finish. As with other older GPM armor models a commander
figure is also included. I would consider this model to be an excellent choice
for a first armor model.
