Would anybody be interested in a 38(t) GB? Plenty of variations to choose from. Start date to be announced, maybe few weeks from now to alow you to get the models and then 6 months to build them.
Cheers…
Added on Jun 5th 2010
The rules:
Any scale as long as it is based on the 38(t)
Starting date is June 15th 2010…you have 6 months to build all 38(t)s you have ever wanted to
Thats’ all…
Participants:
SuppressionFire...Italeri 1/72 scale Hetzer
Geist…Grille M
Castelnuovo… Ausf D
Detailfreak…Hetzer
bbrownii…Marder III
Hedorah59… E or the F
matt hill…let us know when you decide
Julez72…Marder III Afrika Korps
PANZERJAGER…Marder III mit Pak 39(r) by Tamiya
eptingmike…1/48 Tamiya Hetzer
bufflehead… Italeri Pz. 38(t) ausf D
MTMARINE04… Hetzer Command Version from Dragon 1:35
If not for the slower summer build season and other GB commitments I would be interested.
I have always wanted to build a Hetzer tank destroyer. Somewhere in my stash 3000 miles away is a DML 1/144 38(t). If I find the beast when back there in a few weeks I will find room to bring it out to build for your GB. I am sure there is less than 12 parts including PE. Should be able to git R’ done in unreasonable amount of time including scratch built details and my usual odd-ball techniques.
If I return with the 38(t) count me in! (will let you know around mid July)
Ooooooo… which one of those do you have? The ‘G’ with the Interior?? Or the new E/F (??) 2-in-1?? I’m dyin’ to see one of the DMLs built up… not that I want to influence your decision…[whstl]
Well, ther seems to be a bit of an interest for the 38(t). So why don’t we start on June 15th 2010 and run it for 6 months…give or take? Sounds reasonable? I have added the list and the rules on the firs post.
I know there were many interesting variants in the years between the Czechoslovakian produced 38(t) and the German ultimate tank destroyer. Many will argue there were more powerful versions like the Jagpanzer, Jagtiger and Jagpanther. Yet the Hetzers compact design and dangerous 75mm gun proved to be the best formula for success.
It is the 2-in-1 kit, and since it is my newest acquisition it is the one I am leaning towards building first (Unless something elses new and cool comes out soon before the start of this build [;)] ).
No pictures, just paste 'Evolution’ over a 38(t) and a arrow pointing to a Hetzer. Let me explain further:
The annexation of Czechoslovakia by Germany captured industry including the iron works that produced the 38(t) Despite popular belief the Germans never have superior numbers of tanks going into the invasion of France, the 38(t) was given a coat of paint, some stowage was ‘Germanized’ and it served them well as the basic vehicle was mechanically reliable & of sound design.
Operation Barbarossa pointed out the 38(t)'s flaws as the turret, armor and main gun were to small to be effective. The need for anti-aircraft mobility seen some of the 38(t)'s with the turret removed and a 20mm Flak gun mounted on the hull. The desperate need for more anti-tank mobility and improvisation by the German manufactures developed the Marder series of anti-tank guns. One version mounted captured Soviet 76 mm pac 38 (r) weapons on the 38(t)'s reliable hull & drive train.
The Marder series of anti-tank weapons were very successful, yet lack of crew protection, thin armor and a high silhouette were its Achilles heel. The Germans had great success with conversions and then production of larger tanks without turrets. The ‘Jag’ series began with the Jagpanther. Its thick sloped armor and lower silhouette made it a lethal anti-tank weapon. Also with no turret the vehicle could mount a larger gun, the Panther fielded a 75mm L/70 high velocity cannon, the Jagpanther fielded the famous 88mm L/56
Bigger is not always better and the evolution seen a Jagtiger in limited numbers. (around 50 produced) Fielding a 120mm L/90 Its Achilles heel was a all ready over worked drive train with now tons of added weight to move, slow speed and a huge target for roaming allied aircraft. The idea was successful in the development of the Panzer IV, a more powerful 75 mm L/70, low silhouette and reliable drive train made the Jagpanzer L/70 very lethal.
Back to the 38(t)
Its final expression of battlefield lethality was called 'the Hetzer’ (Jag 38(t) wouldn’t sound cool enough) This design fielded a 75 mm L/50? cannon, VERY low silhouette. Mobility, speed, armor was excellent. At this point in the loosing war Germany was on the defensive, the Jag series was well suited to this roll of ambush tactics.
