German Light Tank Pz.Kpfw.35(t)

Academy has produced a state-of-the-art kit of the Panzer 35(t) in what one might call in todays modeling language a non-hi tech model. There are no photo etched parts in this kit, or turned aluminum barrels, and the plastic parts count is low by the standards of others such as Bronco. This, however, does NOT mean that this is an inferior kit in any way. In fact, what it does make it is an eminently buildable kit, a bit of fresh air in todays 1000-part model market. The parts are molded in gray plastic, with very nice surface detail. The plastic is rather soft, but this is not a detriment in any way. The parts felt a bit greasy to me, so after the model was constructed but before the painting began, I have it a nice bath in some warm water and Simple Green all-purpose cleaner. As for visible ejection pin marks, there were only a couple, and they were easily filled with liquid putty and sanded smooth. The kit comes with injection molded link and length tracks, with the upper run on each side already nicely pre-sagged The fit of all the parts was exemplary. All that was required was careful test-fitting of each part with the next and, if needed, a little trimming and/or sanding. The only use of putty occurred in Step 8 of the construction sequence, with the construction of the two-part muffler, Parts E16 and E4. Nothing major at all, and immediately fixed.