German Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer. 1:35 ET Models E35-128

[Shar2]

Etched set for German Jagdpanzer 38(T) Hetzer

1:35 ET Models E35-128

The Jagdpanzer 38(t) (Sd.Kfz. 138/2), later known as Hetzer ("baiter"), was a German light tank destroyer of the Second World War based on a modified Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t) chassis. The project was inspired by the Romanian "Mareşal" tank destroyer.

The Jagdpanzer 38(t) was intended to be more cost-effective than the much more ambitious Jagdpanther and Jagdtiger designs of the same period. Using a proven chassis, it avoided the mechanical problems of the larger armoured vehicles.

It was better armoured than the thinly armoured earlier Panzerjäger Marder and Nashorn with a sloped armour front plate of 60 mm sloped back at 60 degrees from the vertical (equivalent in protection to about 120 mm), carried a reasonably powerful 75mm gun, was mechanically reliable, small and easily concealed. It was also cheap to build.

Yet another set in the ever increasing range of detail sets from ET Models, this one is for the Tamiya JagdPanzer 38(t) Hetzer. Packaged in the usual manner of a card headed thick poly sleeve, in which there are two medium sized sheets of relief etched brass taped to a black backing sheet. One small brass sheet and one small etched nickel sheet are contained inside a small poly zip lock bag. In another small zip lock bag there are four end pieces for the towing cable and a length of silver coloured twisted wire to make up the cables themselves.

The construction begins with the front and rear mud flaps and foot plates. These come as flat pieces of brass and will therefore need a ballpoint pen run down each indented line, giving them a 3D effect of the treadplate. To the finished plates the strengthening ribs and brackets are fitted before the assemblies are fixed to the kit hull. As with preceding sets from ET there are numerous new straps and clamps for the engineering tools, jack, spare track links and the tow cable storage rack. There are also new brackets for the exhaust and silencer, headlights and aerial base. A replacement engine intake surround and grille are fitted to the rear of the hull, whilst a storage box with clasp is attached to the left hand footplate. Grab handles are provided for fitting all round the upper sides of the hull and steps for the rear hull. The curved periscope is replaced with a new brass item with attachment. The commanders hatch is provided with new internal and external hinges and locking mechanism, whilst the machine gun has new shields and a new sight. To finish off the set provides new side skirts with their respective hangers and brackets.

Conclusion
This set is quite small compared with some of the sets ET have released, but there is certainly enough here to appease most detail buffs. I think this would be a very good set for a novice PE user to get to grips with doing a full tank load, seeing as the Hetzer is only small anyway.
Highly Recommended.

Available soon from White Ensign Models in the UK


Review Sample courtesy of

[jose cesar]

Looks very good!