Dragon has just announced a new Pz. Kpfw Ausf E/F 2n1#6434 in their ever growing Smart Kit series

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

This looks great. Nice size for the shelf, interesting subject, and if the interior is there you can leave everything open, and unlike the larger kits this still has magic tracks instead of DS. As for me I like the panzer gray.

Now I know the Tristar kit is supposed to be the bee's knees and I've read the comments about the inherited problems (something about a radio), but I like the looks of this kit. Definitely added to my wishlist.

Dunkelgrau and lots of rivets - I love it!

In a nut shell ... can´t be better!

Maby another38（t）E/F can be been this year

Anyone know the timeline for this one transitioning to the Ausf. G?

What I posted on ML:

Hopefully they corrected the cooling ribs of the machine guns.

And please somebody should tell Dragon that the radio is not mounted on the drive shaft. Only on the Marder III the radios are on the drive shaft. On the gun tank one radio is located on the left side behind the radio operator seat. There is an armoured ventilation opening and the radio is mounted in front of it That´s the reason for the ventilation opening.

On page 76 of the Militaria book on the 38(t) series (#241) you can clearly see the attachment points for the rack.
In the MBI book it´s on page 22 and 23.

Thomas

Production of the G began in Oct '41. The E started in Nov '40 and the F in May '41. Since the Ausf designation for the 38t was assigned based on orders placed and not necessarily on actual design changes, you get the E/F designation as they were essentially the same vehicle just with different order quantities/dates.

Thanks, Bill. So presumably their earlier kit would be good for Barbarossa and this one for France, 1940?

Bill,

The E/F missed France 1940 since that campaign ended in June vs. Nov when E production began. The E/F was the main 38t variant on hand for the start of Barbarossa while the G orders starting in Oct were increased as a result of that prolonged campaign (and combat losses) with production continuing until late '42 when production shifted away from the gun tanks due to obsolescence. The G was the most numerous one produced and eventually became the platform for the Marder III, Grille, etc. when those orders were placed as the series "H" contracts.

Is there, then, a kit for Rommel's 7th Pz. Division which used 38(t)s?

Bill,

Your best bet is the Tristar Ausf B, it has markings for 25th Pz Regt, 7th Pz Div France 1940 as well as same unit but Eastern Front 1941.

Thanks!

I think it's great that DML are releasing this kit. There is just something about the vehicles based on the 38(t). Dare I say sexy..I dare...I dare. I can't get enough of them! I have the Tristar Ausf. B and E/F kits. They really are unsurpassed in quality.
I will probably get this kit and the DML Ausf. G as well.

Great time to be a modeller!

Jeff