Hetzer (early version)
German Tank
Hunter
UM, 1/72 scale
S u m m a r y |
Catalogue
Number: |
UM 352 Hetzer (early
version) |
Scale: |
1/72 |
Contents and
Media: |
140 light grey plastic parts
on four sprues, 16 PE parts on one fret, decals for six or more
vehicles and a 4 page A5 instruction booklet with history, parts
plan, 11 clear build diagrams and 3 paint/decal drawings. |
Price: |
USD$9.96 online from Squadron
|
Review
Type: |
First Look |
Advantages: |
Highly detailed, The only
early production Hetzer in 1/72 scale and machine gun shield
plus side skirts in PE. |
Disadvantages: |
All hatches closed, late
production road wheels. |
Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended |
Reviewed by
Glen Porter
UM's
1/72 scale Hetzer is available
online from Squadron.com
First issued in 1944, the Hetzer was a very successful tank Hunter (Jagdpanzer).
With a very low profile, a 75 mm gun and a remote controlled MG it
could take on anything the Allies could throw at it. Even though
it's armour was quite thin, it was sloped at such an angle that it
gave it's crews good protection.
Although the Hetzer was based on the 38(t) light tank, very little
of this kit is from the earlier UM 38(t). Even the two
track/suspension sprues are new with only the tracks themselves,
bogies and a small number of add-ons carried over from the older
kit. Marketed as an early production model, the sprues also contain
all the parts for the Late Production Hetzer and the flame thrower
Hetzer.
Click the thumbnails
below to view larger images:
Therein lies the first minor problem. The early vehicles had road
wheels with 32 bolts securing the armour plate to the wheel, but it
was found that these bolts loosened in combat. Later vehicles had
the armour riveted to the wheels, and the number was reduced to 16.
Unfortunately, the kit comes with the late wheels only. You do get
the late and early gun mantlet, engine deck, idler wheel and
exhaust. You also get an optional non-perforated equipment box in
plastic and the perforated box on the PE fret as in the earlier
38(t)s.
All the parts are nicely detailed and flash is at an absolute
minimum, but care will have to be taken assembling the lower hull to
make sure everything is aligned or the upper hull will not fit.
The PE fret contains some very nice side skirt armour, (Shutzen, not
sure if that's the right spelling), the MG shield, a perforated heat
shield for the early muffler, periscope shields, guard supports and
the afore mentioned equipment box.
As usual for UM, they give you more vehicle markings than there are
instructions for, but I guess to many is better than not enough.
My one criticism of this kit, apart from the wheels, that is, the
hatches are all closed. Again, nit picking, as they shouldn't be
hard to open.
Esci's Hetzer was one of their best. This kit from UM, I believe,
will leave it for dead.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to
Squadron for the review sample.
Review and Images Copyright © 2005 by Glen Porter
Page Created 24 October, 2005 Last updated
25 October, 2005
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