Dragon 1/35 2cm Flak 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A Flakpanzer I # 6577

Even before WWII broke out, the lightly armed and thinly armoured Panzer I tank was considered obsolete.

Although the Pz.Kpfw.I didn't have a long combat history, its chassis proved suitable for uses other than those of a tank.

One such use was the Flakpanzer I, a self-propelled antiaircraft cannon.

It had the advantage of being armoured and possessing cross-country mobility.

The Sd.Kfz.101 Flakpanzer I was modified from Panzer I Ausf.A tanks by removing the gun turret and installing a single-barreled 2cm FlaK 38 gun.

The engine deck and hull were modified as well.

Only 24 such Flakpanzer vehicles were produced, and they were subsequently assigned to Fla.Bataillon 614(mot) in May 1941.

However, all had met their demise by the end of the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943.

Dragon has reengineered its 1/35 scale Flakpanzer I plastic kit in a new Premium Edition variant.

It builds upon the success of the previous kit, but it has received several important updates.

These include an improved storage box, which is reproduced with both internal and external details.

This storage box fits on the Sd.Ah.51 trailer, a piece of equipment that was normally towed behind the armoured vehicle.

Plus the kit features a new driver's seat and controls in the driver's compartment.

In addition, the frontal armour has received the Razor Edge treatment to give it a true-to-scale thickness. Several photo-etched parts give greater realism, including a photo-etched exhaust cover and spent-shell cage on the cannon.

To make the modeller's job easier, the kit employs Dragon's patented Magic Tracks.

This overhauled kit offers everything the modeller needs to repel marauding aircraft!

Features:
- New Flakpanzer I w/trailer realistically presented
- New frontal armour slide-moulded parts w/t greater detail
- Driver's visor can be assembled open or closed
- Newly tooled instrument panel w/t crisp detail
- Trailer w/well defined details
- Newly tooled large storage box can be assembled open or closed
- Trailer can be portrayed in transport or 'at rest' modes
- Slide-molded one-piece gun barrel w/t hollow muzzle opening
- Hole positions and shape of flash suppressor & muzzle brake subtly represented
- Three types of barrel (standard model, late model and Schwebelafette version) can be assembled
- New driver's seat and controls designed w/t intricate detail
- Cannon can be elevated in different positions
- 2cm gun shield for Flakpanzer
- Optional spent shell case frame w/t photo-etched net and pre-formed photo-etched spent shell case
- Gun cradle offers a great definition of detail-even weld seams are present
- Gunsight w/t well-defined details
- Battery case w/t interior details
- Case lid w/t photo-etched parts can be assembled open or closed
- Highly detailed towing assembly made from separate parts
- Toolbox with lock details made from slide moulds
- Side and rear armour panels can be assembled in transport or combat mode
- Authentic tread plate pattern on the platform
- Suspension assembly w/t great detail
- Photo-etched exhaust cover
- Lower hull is formed from multiple parts for greater detail
- Fenders w/t detailed tread pattern
- Transmission assembly made from multiple slide-moulded parts for superb detail
- Round base plate w/t authentic details
- Accurate weld seams on the sides of the gun platform
- Magic Tracks w/t great detail
- Floor layout w/t authentic patterning
- Engine deck accurately produced
- Removable transmission inspection cover
- Engine room front panel w/molded details
- Slide-molded spare barrel case w/t spare barrel moulded inside
- Road wheels featuring Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A Modified Verison
- Sprocket and idler reproduced in great detail
- Tightening hand wheels around the platform base have sharp detail
- OVM w/molded-on clasps
- Detailed slide-moulded ammo boxes
- Slide-molded ammo clips