Description

This model was first inspired by my friend Dinesh when he started on the German Flakvierling, Sd.kfz 7/1. I decide to build a flak half-track as well except mine will be a lighter version. Italeri have come out a few Anti-Aircraft half-track recently and I have chosen the Demag, Sd.kfz 10/5 as it is one of the more well know German AA half-tracks.

The Kit is generally good with only a few flaws. Major error is the drive sprockets and the plastic track links provided from the kit, they are too big in terms of the scale. I solve this problem by cannibalizing parts from one of my DML, Dragon 's Sd.kfz 250 series kit. You might think I'm crazy but compare the price of getting the track link set from Modelkasten or Fruilmodel (the only companies that sells individual tracks and boy are they expensive !!!), its cheaper and also provides mw with spare parts for my future projects.

Other than that, the only flaw left is the sink marks at the gun shield and the flaps at the entrance of the vehicle. The rest of the kit is good especially on the details of the gun base and the seat. Details are excellent and I swap a few parts with Tamiya's old 2cm-flak gun kit to further improve it. Painting is done by spraying the whole model with Gunze Sanyo's Panzer gray. A lighter gray is then spray on areas to depict faded paint. The usual wash and dry brushing is then performed. I used oil paints for dry brushing for its ease of control.

A few things that you might be interested to know are how I get the kill marks, Nazi Air recognition flag and the rust effect. The kill marks and the flag are actually dry transfer which you can order from the following website, http://www/archertransfers.com. You'll be the judge on the price factor. The rust effect is obtained through using the "Instant Rust Set" by Modern Option. The source I got this told me that it's out of production already, but maybe you can try your luck through the net.

Reference for this vehicle is limited but the book by Schiffer Publishing, Military History no.43 does provide some good photos of it as well as the flak gun. I wish to thank Dinesh for his help, valuable feedback and suggestion and also Bernard, for helping me to take the photos. And finally, I dedicate this to my girlfriend, Chia-Ling who is now struggling alone in Osaka for her final years in University for her support to my hobby.