"1/56 scale Panzer 38(t)s" Topic

I have recently purchased some Panzer 38(t) models from Warlord and Rubicon.

Perhaps not surprisingly, there are some differences between them. I have posted up some comments and more photos on my blog at link for anyone who is thinking of purchasing and link

Just a note, the comment that the Aufkl & the Pz 38(t) are the same chassis is a little misleading. The Aufkl is based on the Hetzer chassis, which had a number of differences from the standard gun tank chassis. I will also add that the Aufkl is not an early war piece of equipment, but something very, very late-war. In fact, I don't think it entered service at all & represents a "fantasy panzer" or a "Panzer '46" piece of equipment.

During this era you are far more likely to find 4-wheel, 6-wheel (up to France) or 8-wheel armored cars in Aufkl units, or simply motorcycle mounted infantry. Tracked aufkl panzers would be something that started appearing later in the war, & never fully replaced wheeled armored cars.

Damon.

Thanks for the comments Garand. I'm always happy to learn and be corrected. ;-)

I had read that the Panzer 38(t), the later Hetzer and the Aufkl were all based on the Czech LT vz.38 chassis. Is that not correct?

For gaming purposes, I was using a bit of artistic licence with using the model of the Aufkl earlier than 1944, which is when I think it started to see service.

Do you have references you can share? Many thanks.

The best reference i know of is the book Leichte Jagdpanzer by Spielberger for the Hetzer.

The Hetzer was based off the Pz.38(t) but had a number of important differences. The suspension was the same, & the drivetrain, but major parts of the hull were altered, beyond the adoption of welding over rivets. Distinctively (& your model should show this) the hull was sloped on the bottom to give better protection against mines, with the suspension components mounted on "blocks" rather than flush against the hull. The tracks were also different, with little "ears" on the links to give better flotation.

Also keep in mind there were two different versions of the Aufkl based on the 38(t) chassis: the Aufklaerungspanzer 38(t) & the Aufklaerungspanzer Hetzer. The former was much more like the Panzer 38(t) save for some superstructure differences & the hanglafette 2cm.

Damon.

Thanks Damon. Someone else has posted a similar response on my blog, which has highlighted my misinterpretation of what "based on the chassis of the 38T" means (according to the source I used). I had understood this to mean that it was "built on", whereas it seems as though "derived from" might be a better interpretation.

I'll update my blog to correct the inaccuracy. I guess for the comparison between different manufacturers to be valid, I need to buy some more models of exactly the same vehicle from each.

Always good to keep learning though! ;-)