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Panzerkampfwagen 35(T) Academy 1:35 History Originally designed and built for the Czech army the 35(T) or LT 35 as it was then known, wasn’t an immediate success. Once the shortcomings had been ironed out it did become very popular with the crews. This was Skodas first tank built with a turret, which mounted a 37mm gun and a co-axial machine gun. With the invasion of Czechoslovakia the German army took over 244 tanks of the 434 built, and designated them the Panzerkampfwagen 35(T). Used extensively in the blitzkrieg attacks in the invasion of Poland, France and even the opening attacks against Russia, it is said that the German Army wouldn’t have been successful had it not been for these tanks. Although being of bolted construction they could be dangerous for the crews in the event of a hit, which even though it may not have penetrated the armour it could sheer bolts off, which would act like shrapnel inside the tank. Most 35(T)s were retired from active service by 1942 and used instead as training vehicles. Countries such as Bulgaria retired their last training 35(T) in 1950. The Model The model comes in an attractive full colour box with a depiction of the tank trundling along a country track. Inside there are ten sprues, a separate upper hull and turret all in dark grey styrene. All the parts appear well moulded with no sign of flash or moulding pips. Moulded it detail is quite nicely done, with all the distinctive rivet heads around the tank depicted well. Being a fairly small tank construction shouldn’t take too long and the only area that will take care and attention will be with the link and length tracks, and the multiple bogies. To compliment the model Academy have also provided two crew members, which is quite a rare thing these days. Admittedly the driver only comes as the upper half whereas at least the commander is complete. Construction begins with the lower hull which is made up of the floor, hull sides, two piece front glacis plates and two piece rear bulkhead. Unlike most tanks this one has two sprocket wheels per side and each is made up out of four pieces, the two toothed sprockets, plus an inner and outer hub. There is a separate twin wheel just behind the front sprocket wheels and three two piece return rollers per side. The main bogies, of which there two each side are made up out of four two piece wheels, two axle frames an inner support structure and two leaf springs. When completed, these assemblies can be fitted to the lower hull, followed by the mud scraper that fits between the rear sprocket wheel centres. The link and length tracks, whilst slightly fiddly don’t look as bad as a full individual link track does, but what indy links there are do look quite fragile and are connected to the sprue at three points. What is quite a nice feature is that the upper length of track has track sag moulded in. Just ensure that the sag is where it should be on the return rollers when fitting. With the lower hull now complete the upper hull section can now be fitted, along with the sloping rear engine decking. The single piece fenders are then attached on either side, whilst at the front the two piece bow machine gun, drivers hatch covers, (posed open or closed), headlights, towing eyes and aerial bases are attached. Five Jerry cans are assembled out of their two halves and separate handles. Three are mounted onto a frame on the left side of the engine deck and two more, also in a separate frame are mounted on the rear of the left hand fender. If required there are five more jerry cans that can be built and fitted to the rear engine deck by a two piece frame. With the pioneer tools fitted to the left hand side adjacent to the turret ring and the main jack, wrecking bar and exhaust fitted to the right hand side, all that need adding before the hull is complete is the rear towing hooks and light fitting. The main gun is made up of a separate barrel, upper recuperating unit above and the two piece trunnion. This assembly is then thread into the slot within the mantle. The main turret part is fitted with the underside of the mantle mating point and four vision blocks around the commanders cupola. The upper turret is then fitted to the lower turret part and the gun/mantle assembly is attached. The commanders hatch come as inner and outer parts and the assembly can be pose either open or closed. With the turret complete it can then be slotted into the turret ring and rotated to suit. The kit comes with two ends of the tow cable and the kit does provide a length of white thread which will need to be painted if may be best to use a length of wire instead. The tow cable is wound round the two rear towing hooks. Decals The small decal sheet provides crosses and identification numbers for two vehicles, both in an overall panzer grey scheme. • Vehicle A01 of the 6th Panzer Division, France 1940 • Vehicle 735 of the 6th Panzer Division, Russia 1941 The decals are nicely printed but look like they will need some softening and setting solution to settle them down as they may be a little thick. Conclusion This is a great little kit with some nice details and yet nothing too taxing which could make for a pleasant break from more complex builds. I’m still not sure of the origin of this kit as it has been said that it is the old ICM kit reboxed. That said, the mouldings still look good and I can happily recommend the kit to all. Review sample courtesy of