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The sprues for the tank in this kit are the same as that found in S-Model's ambulance version PS720093 plus an additional sprue for the ammunition trailer.
You can see the sprues and photo-etched frame in Francesco Giovagnorio's preview
here. My preview of the trailer can also be seen
here.
Based on the information and diagrams found in source [1], this kit appears to represent a Panzer I Ausf.A series 3 tank, identifiable by the small
access hatch on the front glacis plate, an engine deck with two large access hatches along with
a pair of filler caps, and the box on the rear vertical plate.
It also has the following series 3 features (parenthesis in the below list highlight my build modifications):
- Fire Extinguisher on left front fender (replaced with a better moulded one from my spares box).
- Reinforcing plates bolted to superstructure sides (supplied as photo-etched part PB1, but not added).
- Wire cutters on right front fender (provided as photo-etched part PB2, but not added).
- Transmission compartment vent (part A9). This is too short so I extended it by stealing the corresponding piece from the second copy.
- Armoured vision port on superstructure right side (not removed).
These features are not definitive, as there are numerous period photos showing hybridization of series features present on various Panzer Is.
I'll not go into much detail regarding my build of this model. What I wish to do is note some points I discovered during its construction not
mentioned in Francesco's review.
- There is a large gap one each side under the fenders between the lower and upper hull parts. I filled it with plastic sheet and sanded
it flush to the fender.
- There is a small gap on each side of the lower hull rear. I filled this with thin plastic sheet and sanded it flush with the
lower hull sides.
- Centering of the large top hatch (part A5) would have been easier if S-Model had added a tab along with a corresponding notch in the hull.
- If adding the trailer, it looks like you delete the photo-etched part PB4 and instead replace it with part T4
, which is added during the trailer construction. The instructions aren't entirely clear here (red arrows below).
It also appears that a couple of braces (white arrows below) should be added, and possibly the other hitch
(yellow arrow below) was retained with another brace running to it as well, shown by this photo below.
I made further modifications as follows:
- Shovel (replaced with a plastic one from my spares box).
- Horn (used kit part & drilled out its opening).
- Jack (used kit part).
- Added a Notek light from my spares box.
- Decals consist of only white outline crosses. They looked dodgy, so replacements were sourced from my spares.
The kit's tracks are its weakest feature. While the wheels, idler and drive sprocket are excellent, the track suffers from the awful bars across the track.
A web search located a set of 3D printed tracks to replace the kit's tracks. They come from a Chinese company named
Yao's Studio (item number LYTG72067, 1/72 Track Link German Flakpanzer I Ausf. A PS720094 Tank). Don't let the description fool you. This set
will fit any of the S-Model Pz.Kpfw.I models since they all use the same base sprues. Yao's Studio does not have a website other than an
eBay store located
here. They also print a wide selection of other 3D printed tracks for other S-model offerings, including S-model's Pz.kpfw.I Ausf.B kits.
Their link and guide
horn detail is head and shoulders above the kit's parts. All of the wheels are of the reinforced style and the track's
guide horns are solid. Even with all their good points, there was remedial work to be done.
The wheels suffer from print layers, especially on the drive sprocket and road wheel spokes. Road wheels also lack rim lines. The coupling bar running between the idler and rear bogies had some serious
low spots, so they were removed and replaced with the kit's plastic parts (A11/A12). The return wheels just hang in space. I added a small length of rod so they'd
touch the hull sides, where I could apply a small drop of cyano glue to attach them later. I found the hole for the drive sprocket was a tad too large. Fearing that any
wobble here might cause the track to sit non-vertically, I located a piece of plastic tube that fit inside the hole and reamed it out enough to remove the slack
with the sprocket axle.
One minor peeve: I feel there's a bit too much sag in the the track run.
But even with these issues noted above, these 3D tracks make a visually significant improvement over what the kit's provides.
References
[1] Panzer Tracts 01-1: Panzerkampfwagen I, Kleintraktor to Ausf.B, Thomas L. Jentz, Hilary L. Doyle, Panzer Tracts, Boyd, MD 2002 ISBN: 0-9708407-6-4
[2] Wydawnictwo Militaria 010: PzKpfw I, Janusz Ledwoch, Wydawnictwo Militaria, Warsaw 1993 ISBN: 83-86209-49-6
Review sample purchased by the author.
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