Italeri 1/35 Demag 7 German Half-track with Pak 38 Kit No. 6383
MSRP: $29.00 |  | History The one-ton half-track, Demag 7, was used by the German Army all over Europe and North Africa during WWII. Due to its excellent cross-country characteristics and its sturdy design, the D7 went through a number of modifications to accommodate anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns which were needed throughout the war. This version, equipped with a Pak 38 50mm gun, was one of the first to be used on the Eastern Front. The engine and the driver's compartment were protected by armor plates which were generally field conversions. What's in the box? The kit comes in a tray and lid type box. Inside the box are five panzer gray colored plastic trees of parts, the decal sheet, and the instructions. Large parts tree letter A holds: the vehicle's bottom chassis and front fender piece, seats, fire wall, hood pieces, front wheels and tires, steering wheel, suspension and leaf strings, radiator, floor board with transmission molded into it, dash board, chassis sides with bogie arms molded in, head lights, notek lamp, etc. (67 parts) The next parts tree for the vehicle is letter C and it holds: the drive sprockets, road wheels and link and length type tracks (70 parts). The third parts tree for the vehicle is letter D and it holds: jerry cans, steel helmets, gas mask canisters, tools, a bucket, armored hood and radiator covers, spare tire, folded roof tarp parts and various body panels etc. (90 parts) The first tree of parts for the Pak 38 is lettered as A on the instructions, but not on the parts tree. So, refer to the parts tree drawing for this on the plans. It holds: the inside shield, elevation and traverse wheels, sides and cradle parts (20 parts). The second, and final parts tree for the Pak 38 is lettered as B on the instructions, but - again - not on the tree. It holds: the outside shield, the gun barrel, the barrel trough, rounds of two types of ammo, an ammo case etc. (28 parts) The instructions are a single large sheet that accordian-folds out into 10 13" x 7 1/" sized pages. Page one of the instructions gives the vehicle's history in six different languages, including English. The bottom of the page gives some general warnings in the same six languages. Page two begins with parts tree drawings of the parts for the vehicle only and explanations of the alphabet letters, used throughout the assembly drawings, that indicate what colors to use. The bottom of the page gives the first of 14 total assembly steps for just the vehicle itself. The bottom of page no. 7 shows the two parts tree drawings of parts for the Pak 38 only and then re-starts assembly steps of 1 through 4 total for just the Pak itself, with the 4th assembly showing the mating of the Pak to the vehicle. Page 9 of the instructions gives us three different paint and markings schemes: An unknown unit, Russia 1944. A vehicle with the 57th Infantry Division, Russia 1942. And another vehicle of a second unknown Unit* Russian winter 1941/42. (*The division marking for this one is a large white letter "G" which I know indicates the Guderian Kampfgruppe). The tactical markings are a wedge shape on wheels, which indicates an anti-tank motorized unit. A search of some good books, on the subject of this vehicle, would probably show some other markings and theatres that this vehicle served in. So, you probably would not be locked in on the Russian Front only for markings. The 10th page of the instructions gives some general information, in no less than 20 different languages, concering the kit. This is followed by a mail in coupon, to use for obtaining any missing parts from Italeri. Conclusion This kit is very well molded and free of any flash. It looks like it will really make up nicely into a welcome addition to any armor modelers display shelf. Highly recommended. I bought my kit at the local hobby shop. | 
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