Cyber-Hobby 1/35 Flakpanzer T-34, previewed by Scott Van Aken

Cyber-Hobby 1/35 Flakpanzer T-34

KIT #:	6569
PRICE:	$60.00 SRP
DECALS:	One option
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	Smart Kit

One thing about the military during WWII, the various opposing armies were not shy about using the captured vehicles of the other side. In the case of Germany, it was a major part of their military. As they were not able to produce the quantities of Russia, UK or the US, the use of captured weaponry of all types was widely done.

This resulted in some rather unique vehicles. One was the use of a turret-less Russian T-34 as a mobile anti-aircraft platform by grafting onto the hull a 20mm Flakvierling 38. This was a one-off conversion and as far as I can tell, was used in 1943/44 somewhere on the Eastern Front.

THE KIT

Continuing with the unusual armor variants, we have a combination T-34 chassis with a quad 20mm anti-aircraft gun atop it. There are a number of new features for this and the kit includes Smart Tracks, which will enhance the over all kit by having a proper sag to the tracks as was typical on the T-34. Here is a list of its features:

- New scale-thickness fighting compartment armor has extra-thin edge
- Cannon can be freely posed at different angles
- Newly tooled gun mounting platform
- Gun sight and hand wheels w/well-defined detail
- Gun cradle offers great detail definition
- Spent-shell cage made from photo-etched part
- 2cm Flakvierling 38 cannon w/accurate detail
- Slide-molded one-piece gun barrel w/hollow muzzle
- Newly tooled gun mounting platform
- Upper-hull glacis w/weld detail
- Engine-deck rear plate and engine cover plate have full detail
- Ammunition boxes w/fine detail
- Realistic idler w/great detail
- Optional photo-etched parts for engine-cover grills available
- Engine-deck louvers finely represented by photo-etched parts
- Fenders presented in finely detail
- One-piece lower hull offers easy assembly
- Running gear finely reproduced
- Detailed suspension system
- Suspension arms realistically recreated
- Finely detailed Magic Tracks

Instructions are typical of Cyber-Hobby kits in that they are well done and very detailed. There is some minor modification needed in terms of cutting away some small details, but that is about it and this is clearly shown. There is one painting option as shown on the box art. This is a tank from s.Pz.Jg.Abt 653 during 1943. A small sheet of decals is provided but the painting guide does not show them being used.

Now we have another neat and unusual piece of armor for you. It is not something I'd ever heard of but I can guarantee that it will be a conversation piece and an enjoyable build. You need to get yours soon as I see several on-line retailers have sold out.