Sd.Kfz. 6/2 3.7 cm Flak 36 auf Fahrgestell mZgKw 5t

Ace Digital Design Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
 

Summary

FirstLook

Even before WWII started the Germans began to prepare self-propelled artillery platforms to support the panzer divisions in action. This vehicle, based on the medium 5 ton halftrack chassis, was one of the first ones and between1939-1941 a total of 203 were reported produced. The 3.7 cm Flak 36 was very useful weapon with a useful projectile and range.

Ace has been around for a while now but as it is a Ukrainian company has obviously had some difficulties over the past two years. However, this kit was present at the 2024 AMPS show on the Squadron stand so I picked it up.

Once – and in some places still – derided as “Braille scale” when it comes to armor modeling, this kit and others like it now put a number of 1/35 kits to shame for their level of detail and accuracy. It also provides for much more attention to small details albeit some modelers grumble that parts can be too tiny!

Assembly is very much on par with larger scale kits. Ace has you start with subassemblies and then move on to the chassis. While German halftracks usually go nuts with wheels, Ace simplifies things by having the inner row as singles, the middle row as two linked three wheel sets, and the outers as again single wheels. The drivers consist of three pieces – drive, sprocket and outer ring. Torsion bars are used to join the sides together and more details are added to the chassis.

The front suspension is quite complex with some 19 parts less the front wheels.

The gun may be assembled just on its carriage or on its mounting with the option to show it towed behind the halftrack. An optional cargo body fitted to the carriage is provided for ammo and kit when the gun is mounted on the halftrack. The gun is fixed in elevation and one of two positions must be chosen during assembly.

The folding sides are not shown as folded down so some care will be needed if you wish to display them in this manner. No windshield is provided for the vehicle, but a simple rectangle of clear styrene will suffice here.

Four finishing options are provided: Luftwaffe field division Light Flak Unit 75, Guderian Panzer Group, Russia 1941 (panzer grey); 1st Flak Corps Light Flak Unit 75, 1941 (panzer grey); Wehrmacht winter 1941 (whitewash over panzer grey); and Light Flak Unit 71, 11th Panzer Division, fall 1941 (panzer grey). A sheet of decals with license numbers and other details is included.

This is a really neat little kit but the smaller parts will test the patience of some modelers.

Sprue Breakdown

R             2             Black vinyl tracks

D             84           3.7 cm Flak 36, ground mount, ammo clips

C             59           Body, cab sides, ammo bins, fenders, rifles, details

B             97           Wheels, tires, details

A             32           Chassis, hood, details

E              3             Etched brass