We complete the trio of new Hetzers in its popular series of 1/35 scale kits with the launch of the Vollkettenaufklaerer 38 w/7.5cm Kanone 51 L/24. What is significant about this kit – as with the other two German subjects, the Jagdpanzer 38 mit 2cm FlaK 38 and the 15cm s.IG.33/2 (Sf) auf Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer – is that it has never before been available in plastic kit. The Vollkettenaufklaerer 38 was originally an effort by Auto-Union to create a tracked reconnaissance vehicle suitable for Eastern Front operations. Auto-Union’s prototypes with an open-topped compartment appeared in early 1944, but they were never pursued. Czech company BMM followed up with its own version of a scout vehicle based on a Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer chassis, with a mock-up ready by September 1944. This example based on a modified 38(t) chassis featured a 7.5cm L/24 gun. Also known as the Gert 564 Pz.Aufklwg.638/12.
Product Details
- Scale is 1:35
- Rendered with high accuracy and authentic details
- New stowage boxes mounted on glacis and left-hand side of hull
- New driver vision port and headlight, and new gun shield
- Fully equipped fighting-compartment interior includes rack for 7.5cm ammunition storage
- One-piece upper hull plus new individual panels for armoured superstructure
- Well-defined exhaust and muffler with photo-etched muffler guard
- Full detail provided for 7.5cm Kanone 51 L/24 main armament
- Correct basket for spent ammo rounds
- Rifling inside gun barrel is finely reproduced
- Gun sleeve reproduced with correct detail
- Correct antenna mount included
- Intricate weld seams on hull/superstructure plates are stunningly replicated
- Transmission and final drive installed in front of vehicle hull
- True-to-scale stowage bin on left-rear fender
- Individual side-skirt segments have scale thickness
- Road wheels, sprocket wheels, idler wheels and suspension bogies all feature accurate details
- Upper track run is injection-moulded to reproduce realistic levels of sag
- Plastic injection "NEO Track" with pre-moulded lengths result in convenient assembly
