Mobelwagon 3.7 cm Flak auf Fast Pz.Kpwf.IV(Sf)

Bronco, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Andrew Judson

FirstLook

Border Model has been fairly active of late, bringing us some nice new releases to choose from, and here we are presented with another: a 1:35 scale Mobelwagon with a 3.7cm Flak for anti-aircraft purposes.

In 1943, it was found that more air protection was needed, with the Luftwaffe unable to provide cover, so the German High Command decided to step up and begin production of this vehicle, the Mobelwagen, essentially a Panzer IV lower hull with flack guns mounted on top. Initially they started with the 20mm quad Flak, but it proved not as effective due to the lack of range, so it was replaced with the 37mm Flak, a more powerful option with a bigger punch.

The earlier version as depicted in this kit was protected by box-like armour, initially 10mm thick and later 20mm. It could be opened to create a wider platform of closed for troop protection.

Most of these vehicles were based on the H or J variant of the Panzer IV, and no more than 300 were produced during the whole war.

The Mobelwagon was later made obsolete by the Wirbelwind and Ostend, which were both more powerful and offered better protection for their crew.

Looking inside the box, there are 11 sprues of grey plastic and the vehicle’s lower tub, with a total plastic count of 696 parts. There are 16 photo etched-parts on two small frets and a set of decals for three vehicles. There is also a 12 page instruction book, with well-illustrated and easy to follow steps to build, and three pages of colour profile drawings for the different schemes.

The parts themselves look very clean with little or no flash, although there seems to be a lot of holding points on some of the parts, or they are quite large, which means careful removal and maybe a little sanding. No biggie to me.

Sequence of construction is fairly standard, starting with the lower tup and hull, then the upper. The Flak gun is last to construct and then installed.

I like that the tracks are link and length with track sag included. They seem well detailed, athough I’m sure many may opt for workable aftermarket ones. Either way, it will look good.

As mentioned earlier, there are three choices for colours and markings as follows:

• Flak Artillerie Abt.9.9 PD “Hohenstaufen” Hungry 1945

• Heers-Flak-Artillerie-Abteilung 277.11.PD “Gespensterdivision” France Autumn 1944

• Unidentified Unit Germany 1945.

Conclusion

I quite like the offering Border has given us here, certainly a little update over the older Tamiya from some time ago.

If you like German armour, and a good quality kit, then this won’t disappoint at all.

Kit purchased by me from BNA Modelworld.