Academy 1/35 Pz.Kpfw.35(t) Kit First Look

By Dave Manter

First Look

The prototype was ready for testing in the summer of 1935 and testing by the army commission began. After testing, the Czechoslovak army decided to accept it as its standard light tank under the designation LT vz.35. The first LT vz.35 tanks the army accepted from Skoda was on December 21, 1936.

After the German occupation, the Wehrmacht confiscated 244 LT vz.35 tanks, which represented an important improvement in their tank strength, as these tanks were comparable to the PzKpfw III. Though the Germans immediately accepted the LT vz.35, renamed PzKpfw 35(t), into their Panzer divisions, they did not order their renewed production. Between 1939 and early 1941, the 35(t) was involved in all of the major campaigns. The tanks were officially retired at the beginning of 1941, but the 6th Panzer Division used 149 of them for its parts of the invasion of the Soviet Union. The chassis was used for a few artillery tractors.

This 100% new kit by Academy consists of 312 beautifully molded parts in grey styrene. There is no flash present and seam lines are minimal. Decals are provided for 2 vehicles. They are:

• 6th Panzer Division, France, 1940
• 6th Panzer Division, Russia, 1941

The parts feature incredibly fine detailing and the molding is some of the best that I have ever seen. What really stand out for me are the rivet details and the amount of detail on the track links.

Construction begins with the lower hull and it is made from several flat panels. Test fitting here shows just how well this kit is engineered! Fit is perfect! Next up is the suspension and track links. The boogie units are highly detailed. The track is provided as link and length and has the track sag molded into the top run. Fitting of the upper hull and all of its details are next and the kit gives you the option of leaving the drivers hatch open or closed. The turret is up next and here again the commander's hatch can be open or closed. 2 figures are provided to place into the open hatches if you want to. They each have optional heads. The extra jerry cans are provided for the Russian conflict version.

This kit looks amazing in the box! The details are as good as they get and the molding is first rate. The attachment points on the parts trees are very fine and will make clean up fast and easy. The track links are molded as well as I have ever seen and with the sag molded into the top run, these will be more than adequate. Overall, this kit will make Academy a major player in the armor world!

My sincere thanks to MRC for this review sample!