Final details before plastic on the Early, Mid & Late Jagdpanzer 38 (t) w/full interior from Takom

The final piece of the puzzle before we get to see plastic is with us in regards to Takom's new Hetzer series with full interiors. We look at all of the info in our preview...

Final details before plastic on the Early, Mid & Late Jagdpanzer 38 (t) w/full interior from Takom

Hetzers - Early, Mid & Late 

From Takom

Kit No's 2170, 2171 & 2172

1/35th scale

Photo etch included

Full Interior included

Clear top included (to see inside the tank)

We do know just a little more about these three kits from the box art supplied by Takom. We will look at them but first, a quick run-down the timeline of this tank....

The Subject: The Jagdpanzer 38(t) series...

A German light tank destroyer from the latter stages of World War II, the Hetzer was built on the 38(t) tank's Czech Skoda chassis. They were allocated to Panzerjager troops in both infantry and armoured divisions, and about 2000 were constructed. Some Hetzers were subsequently sent to Hungarian battalions and the Russian Liberation Army (ROK), which was formed from Russian POWs, towards the end of the war.

Top View of the Hetzer

The Hetzer was utilised by the Swiss and Czechoslovaks after the war and was named as the G-13 and ST-1, respectively. A total of 2,827 Jagdpanzer 38 were produced by BMM and Škoda. About 2,612 were Jagdpanzer 38 tank hunters, 14 were Jagdpanzer 38t Starr, 181 Bergepanzer 38 and 20 Flammpanzer.

"What's in a name?"

Some sources say the nickname given to this tank by the troops appears to be "Hetzer." General Guderian reportedly confirmed this in a memo to Hitler dated December 4, 1944. Confusion is also caused by the official title. The Panzertruppen utilised "Leichte Panzerjager 38(t)" at first, while the WaffenAmt used "Sturmgeschütz neuer Art mit 7.5 cm PaK 39 L/40 auf Fahregestell PzKpfw 38(t)". 'Jagpanzer 38 (Sdkfz 138/2)' was used as the common name in November 1944.

Jagdpanzer 38 assembly line in Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG plant, June 19 1944.

A vague breakdown of the Jagdpanzer  38(t) timeline during WWII.

-May 1944 version with all the features of an early Hetzer from either plant. Early versions of the exhaust system at the rear of the Jagdpanzer 38(t) had the pipe coming down the back of the vehicle into a tubular silencer box that ran along the top of the rear armour plate, mounted horizontally. 

-July 1944 version that has extra bolt heads on the mantlet. The muffler no longer has a perforated sheaf.

-September 1944 version made by BMM. This has the early rear idler, driver’s visor and exhaust, but the late toolbox, mantlet and engine deck. This is a mid-production version. September & October saw the phased introduction of several changes.

-December 1944 version made by BMM until the plant was captured. It has all late details including flame-retarding exhaust, revised road wheels, and simplified rear idler with 6 holes.

These three kits from Takom:

Although we wish these full interior(!) kits are in 1/35th scale, we do think they would sell so well in 16th scale also! Not since the Eduard kit has there been a full interior kit, and we think it is high time for these to come to the market in an upgraded and new design. 

Here are the CAD drawings showing you a little of them...

Jagdpanzer 38(t) Early Production Full Interior

From Takom

Kit No's 2170

1/35th scale

Photo etch included

Full Interior included

Metal Barrel is included

Clear top included 

Link and length track included

Four marking choices included

The box art is only part of the story. The CADs tell us a lot about this kit.

Jagdpanzer 38(t) Mid Production Full Interior

From Takom

Kit No's 2171

1/35th scale

Photo etch included

Full Interior included

Metal Barrel is included

Clear top included 

Link and length track included

Four marking choices included

Beautiful box art complements the CADs we saw earlier...

Jagdpanzer 38(t) Late Production Full Interior 

From Takom

Kit No's 2172

1/35th scale

Photo etch included

Full Interior included

Metal Barrel is included

Clear top included 

Link and length track included

Four marking choices included

The CADs tell a lot of the story of this kit.

That is all we have on these three for now - keep tuned for more info on the kits themselves. You can see more about Takom's kits on their website or on their Facebook page