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Sdkfz 10/5 Flak 38

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Introduction
Throughout WW2 the German armed forces constantly looked for innovative ways to mobilize light Flak guns initially for anti-aircraft protection and later on for additional increased firepower for ground attack. One such innovation was to mount the Flak 30 on the rear area of an Sdkfz 10 1 ton towing tractor which resulted in the Sdkfz 10/4 variant. Later versions had the Flak 30 replaced with the more efficient Flak 38 and received the designation Sdkfz 10/5 as a result. This build utilizes the venerable Italeri kit # 371 “Demag D7 with Flak 38 Sdkfz 10/5” along with Model Kasten K-31 workable tracks, Armorscale Flak 38 aluminum and brass barrel, Eduard PE detail set, and the DML kit #6288 2.0cm Flak 38 for the gun itself.

Lower Hull, Interior, and Front Half Details
The Italeri kit is not a complex kit with only three sprues of parts, one of which is devoted wholly to the Flak 38, but is deceptive in its initial impression in terms of the amount of work it needs. The first step begins with the driver’s area interior insert and I used the Eduard PE set to add missing detail in the form of the floor boards and pedals. The Eduard PE parts for the drive axles were also added along with the fire extinguisher holder and a spare FE from the spares bin. Step 2 dealt with the lower hull underside and I used Squadron White Putty to fill the visible ejector marks and sanded it smooth. The front steering wheel suspension was added taking care to insure the axle sat level to avoid problems later on.

Step 3 added the sliding inserts and rails for the driver’s compartment and I also took the opportunity to remove the molded on fender support brackets and sanded the area smooth. The driver’s compartment insert was also installed at this point and the driver’s steering wheel left off for easier detail painting in later steps.

Step 4 added the frame for the glass windshields along with the supports for the engine compartment hood. The tabs on the side of the windshield frame were removed and sanded down to avoid problems with the Eduard PE armored cab cover that would be installed later in place of the kit parts.

Step 5 added the side stowage bins and engine exhaust/muffler covers along with the hood for the engine compartment. I removed the large over-scale hinge on the hood with a sharp #11 blade and once the covers were glued in place, added the Eduard PE hinge with liquid glue and careful pressure to keep it aligned properly. The kit hood latches were also replaced with Eduard items and the remaining parts of the front suspension added once the tow hooks and radiator grill were added to complete this step.

Step 6 and 7 were skipped due to they deal with the road wheels and track installation, something I would do much later. Step 8 however dealt with the install of the armored cab cover, so the Eduard PE parts were removed from their fret and bent into the necessary shapes and angles to fit over the cab and windshield frame. I installed the armored sliding visor covers in the closed position and added the side reinforcing brackets to complete its details. Test fits showed that some of the molded on detail on the hood compartment side needed to be removed to allow the cab to line up correctly so this was done and sanded clean. The armored cab was installed using Gator Grip glue where it mated up with the windshield frame and liquid glue along the sides where it contacted the fenders.

Step 9 installed the front headlights and I drilled out their blackout slits with a finger drill to provide better detail/depth to them before their installation. The Notek light on the left fender was installed using the Eduard PE parts for the base of the mount and the Italeri light modified by cutting away the elements of its base that weren’t needed to join the two together. I also replaced the kit parts for the turning indicators and the driver’s mirror with the Eduard parts and a length of brass rod for the mirror mount arm.

Rounding things out for this section, I installed the rifle rack cases as called for in Step 11. The cases were assembled without the rifles and installed in position on the front fenders. Some putty work was needed to fill gaps on their support legs and I added their missing hinge detail using the Eduard PE parts and liquid glue.

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About the Author

About Bill Plunk (wbill76)
FROM: TEXAS, UNITED STATES

Like many, I started out in the hobby as a kid building airplanes to hang from my bedroom cieling. I took a long break from the hobby, returning in 2001 with an interest in armor inspired mostly by online gaming. WW2 armor, 1/35 scale, is my preferred genre with a special taste for the stranger vehi...


Comments

Looks like another winner from Wild Bill Plunk.
DEC 06, 2010 - 10:25 AM
Thanks Bill and of course thanks to Darren as well for the effort in putting this one together.
DEC 06, 2010 - 12:55 PM
Bill, Excellent Work!!!! Looks fantastic! So just out of curiosity, I have a question for you. What did the completed kit cost with all the AM/PE and the DML 20mm AA gun versus what the base kit itself cost? I only ask out of curiosity and amusement. Over on the New CH Tiger I topic there's a bunch of chatter about the cost of new kits, but when you stop to think about all the money spent on extras for these kits it makes the newer kits look down right cheap in comparison. Thanks and again, outstanding job!
DEC 07, 2010 - 03:04 AM
Sean, That's a great question to ask and thanks for the comments! The kit itself IIRC I picked up for around $20 a few years back and the rest of the stuff I accumulated here and there until I had it ready and ultimately was ready to build it. All told, including the original kit purchase, the cost of this one came to around $80 or so give or take since I used MK tracks and also included a replacement AM barrel for the DML Flak 38.
DEC 08, 2010 - 11:38 AM
Good article again Bill. Lots of little bits of useful info and what to look out for. Don´t suppose theres any point mentioning a figure for this one????
DEC 08, 2010 - 12:26 PM
I'd think someone had snatched you and replaced you with an impostor if you didn't at least make the suggestion Frank!
DEC 08, 2010 - 02:55 PM
Another great kit by Bill !! It's been awhile since I got a look at your builds ! I have 3 Demags on stash, not that one, I agree with the cost benefit issue with the AM parts. Great work on that old Italeri kit
DEC 09, 2010 - 09:16 AM
Thanks John, appreciate the comments!
DEC 09, 2010 - 12:15 PM
I think its high time all us armor/figure/diorama guys got together and had an intervention so you get the push/support needed!
DEC 09, 2010 - 01:29 PM
I think its high time all us armor/figure/diorama guys got together and had an intervention so you get the push/support needed! [/quote] I'll second that! Come on Bill, all the COOL kids are doing it!
DEC 10, 2010 - 02:30 AM