Eduard 1/35 Sd.Kfz.7/1 (Late) Flak 38 20mm Detail Set First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | April 2010 | Manufacturer | Eduard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Sd.Kfz.7/1 (Late) Flak 38 20mm Detail Set | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 36106 | Media | Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Extensive detail set for the Trumpeter kit | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $30.00 |
First Look
 |
 |
Eduard from the Czech Republic is easily the most prolific producer of aftermarket details. Period. Their series of photo-etched detail sets have brought additional fidelity to otherwise bland subjects, and have taken even the best-produced models and kicked them up a notch or two with details that cannot be producedwith injection-molded plastic.
When Eduard first introduced the acetate-printed instrument faces that go behind their photo-etched instrument panels, this raised the bar on model cockpit reality as you could almost read the time on the aircraft clock.
In this release, Eduard has provided a very nice update for the Trumpeter 1/35 scale Sd.Kfz.7/1 half-track with the FlaK 38 20mm anti-aircraft gun mounted onto its bed. This set provides numerous details for the exterior as well as for the cab of the prime mover and a number of nice enhancements for the gun and ammunition trailer as well.
This set starts with the cab and provides some nice enhancements for the instrument cluster, dash board, and driver foot pedals. This set also replaces a number of styrene detail parts with more scale thickness parts rendered in photo-etch.
The detail enhancements continue outside the armored cab and around the chassis. The set provides numerous brackets and latches that are difficult to properly render in styrene. Eduard really does a nice job with the armored doors to the cab with interior sliding armor details for the side viewports as well as hinge detail for the doors.
The gun received a number of nice enhancements including the ammo clip guide, operating levers, and your choice of flash suppressor at the end of the barrel.
The ammunition trailer also receives some nice brackets and details to add visual fidelity to this new feature in the Trumpeter kit.
The instructions clearly show you how and where everything goes together. Plan on taking your time and plan on taking some time to get all of this together as this is not a project for an evening or a weekend (unless you're really experiencedand have the right tools).
When you're done however, your gun track will look great and you can display the interior open with pride. This set is definitely recommended for the experienced modeler!
My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!