Unimodel (UM)

Fire-throwing tank Flammpanzer 38(t) (Hetzer)

Picture from Henk of Holland website, used with permisison.

This is one of the Hetzer variants that UM released a couple of years ago. As UM provides the parts for all variants with every release, this not only means the modeler can pick up any box and build the variant he/she desires, but it also means that my previewing work is made very simple as I can simply refer to Simon Barnes' preview and Stephen Brezinski's article on the subject.
The options given to the modeler would then be to build either an early or a late gun tank, or to go for a flame-throwing tank. I am not sure if the latter existed in early and late version, but modeling-wise the kit would allow it.

Specific points I would like to add/iterate about this kit are

• the error on the rear hull sides; the place where the hull starts to narrow towards the rear should be level with where the roof starts to slope down for the engine deck; on the kit, however, it is set further back (details in Simon Barnes' preview);
• the raised panel lines on the engine deck (vide infra);
• the rim of the roadwheels is much too thick and the back is plain, while it should be hollow;
• the tracks do not look quite right;
• hatches are shut;
• the gun mantlet might be a bit too long and wide (not that you are supposed to use it in the Flammpanzer we have here);
• the overall dimensions of the kit, which are correct, unlike most other offerings on the market (untill the arrival of the Vespid kit).

Two marking options are suggested:
- Ardennes, December 1944
- Lake Balaton, March 1945

As usual, UM provides spare markings without the slightest hint how to use them. This time they are a Czechoslovakian flag, hull numbers, serial number and a data plaque.

Note: it seems that recently (2012) UM has addressed the issue of the raised panel lines:

Many thanks to Piotr Pyrczak for bringing this to our attention.

Scans of box and manual taken from Henk of Holland website, used with permisison.

Article Last Updated:
16 June 2011
23 November 2012
29 April 2013
01 June 2024