Sd.Kfz. 265 - Panzerbefehlswagen I

Manufacturer: ESCI/Ertl (Kit #8370; ESCI #8041; Revell/ESCI #H2341)

I planned to build this kit as a quick, out-of-the-box project. I should have known I couldn't do it. I started detailing one part, and then I had to do more ...

Generalizations:

I really like the looks of this kit. The vehicle is small and very simple to build. This kit shares the main sprue of parts with ESCI's Panzer I and Panzerjaeger I kits. There are small, additional sprues of parts in each kit for the unique versions. The only scale references I have for this vehicle are the kit instructions, and Squadron/Signal's Leichte Panzers In Action, which do not agree on size specifications. The kit is closest to Squadron's measurements. According to the book, the model should be 62.3mm long, 28.8mm wide, and 26.8mm tall. The finished model actually measures 61.0mm long, 28.0mm wide, and 28.0mm tall. I think the height discrepancy is due to the thick tracks.

For the most part, the fit of all the parts was very good. The exception was the upper to lower hull join. The rear hull plate is too tall, and must be shaved down a bit at the top. Also, maybe it was just me, but I could not get the left superstructure side doors to fit straight.

Inaccuracies:

• The hull shape where the engine deck meets the rear of the superstructure is incorrect, according to all drawings and color profiles that I have seen. I have seen only one, unrevealing, rear-view photo of this vehicle, so it's difficult to tell.
• There were two projections on the upper glacis plate, presumably representing eye rings for tow cables, but these should be removed. I'm not sure why they are there, considering that none of the Pz. I versions had these.
• The sprocket wheels have about half as many teeth as they should, consequently, each track link is larger than should be, and there are far fewer of them. I'm guessing that this was due to molding limitations when this kit was initially produced.
• The instructions have a couple of errors: the tracks are shown attached backwards (as I glued them); the two visors on the front of the superstructure are difficult to locate based on the instructions. Use the box art as a guide.
• The visor on the right superstructure wall is located too low on the wall. Again, use the box art as a guide.

Added Details:

• I replaced the commander's hatch handles;
• cut a groove down the center of the antenna storage rack;
• added a wire for the trailer hitch;
• and, rebuilt the muffler from styrene and brass mesh.

Should this vehicle have the air intake cover above the engine deck? I added it to hide the intake grate at the lower rear of the superstructure, because it needs more detail. However, I have seen no photos of any Pz. I variant with this cover. The Squadron drawings are the only place I have ever seen it.

There is a small hole on the right, forward hull at the base of the superstructure. This is an antenna mount location hole for the Pz.I version, and should be filled for this present kit (which I failed to do). For the ESCI/Ertl release with the hard plastic tracks, there are plenty of extra individual track links in order to reproduce track sag.

The kit comes with one commander figure. He is dressed in the early war uniform with Panzerschutzmutz hat, and is not too poorly detailed. I painted my kit in Polly Scale Panzer Gray, and used decals from my spares box. The decals in my kit were too old to use.