Dragon 1/35 Pz.kpfw.I ausf A (modified)

Panzer I is the common name of a light tank that was produced by Germany in the 1930s. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen I (abbreviated PzKpfw I) and the tank also had the ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 101.

Intended as a training tank to introduce the concept of armored warfare into the German Army, it began design in 1932 and mass production in 1934. Despite the original purpose of the vehicle, the Panzer I saw combat in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, during the Second World War, and even in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Based on experience gathered during the Spanish Civil War the Panzer I and her crews would help shape the German armor corps which invaded Poland in 1939 and France in 1940. By 1941, however, old Panzer I chassis were being reused for production of tank destroyers. Furthermore, there would be various attempts to upgrade the Panzer I throughout its history and would continue to serve in the armed forces of Spain until 1954.

Ultimately, the Panzer I's performance in combat was affected by its relatively poor armor protection and light armament. Although this was to be expected from a tank never designed for a combat role, the Panzer I was not comparable to other light tanks of the era, such as the T-26. Although the Panzer I was an obsolete tank when put into a combat role, the Panzer I formed large portions of Germany's total tank strength in most major campaigns between September 1939 and December 1941. Ultimately, the small light tank would be overshadowed in importance by much more well known German tanks, such as the Panther or Panzer IV, but its important contributions to the early victories of Nazi Germany during the Second World War cannot be ignored.

This kit is every bit as detailed as what we expect from a modern Dragon ,it. There are no molding flaws at all in terms of sink areas, flash or ejector pin marks that will be visible once the kit is finished. The kit includes Dragon's Magic Track system of individual track links to add to the realism. Two small frets of photo etch are included for screens, straps and a radio rack. There is also a bag of brass rims for the road wheels.

The kit provides for the ability to have various hatches and covers open. Something the builder may want to take advantage of as this kit comes with a complete interior that includes drivers station, transmission and turret detail. This is a modified variant of the Panzer A and all of the additions that make it so are included on new sprues just for this version. Typical of modern kits, there are sprues from other versions included from which only  a few parts will be used so you'll have some bits for your spares box.

Instructions are very well done with the usual Gunze and Model Master paint references. There are some areas that will require the builder to either fill in a hole or open some up and those are clearly annotated in the instructions. This includes those parts that have an optional position. Markings are included for three Panzer Grey tanks. One is the box art tank from the western front in 1939/40, another is one that participated in the Norway invasion of 1940 and the third is from the Poland Campaign of 1939 with the large white crosses on the side. Decals are well printed and should provide no problems.

Though this builds into a small tank, it's high level of detail makes for a somewhat complex kit that needs to be built carefully. The Panzer I is a great addition to any early war tank collection and the quality of Dragon kits makes this one just that much more desirable.

http://en.wikipedia.org

October 2007

My thanks towww.dragonmodelsusa.com for the review kit. Get yours at your local hobby shop or ask them to order one for you.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

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