|
AN AFRIKA KORPS
COMMAND TANK
From The Libyan
Desert
in World War
II
The development of modern tank tactics continues
to fascinate military historians. The contribution of the German army in
World War Two was leadership from the attacking front with superior
communications between attacking tanks and supporting units. This allowed
for superior mobility, break-through of enemy front lines and continuous
attack dependent only upon the ability to maintain supply sources. This
concept was planned and the first tank for a commanding officer was the
Panzerbefehlswagen I (Command Tank) developed to train the German armored
forces. The little tank was designed in 1938 on the chassis of the Panzer
IA and IB. The armor was sufficient to with stand rifle and machine-gun
fire and little else. It was never envisioned as a combat vehicle but
because of the political impetuosity of Hitler in precipitating the war,
it was forced into combat 60 years ago when Hitler invaded Poland. The
vehicle served in France, the Balkans, Africa and in Russia both as a
command vehicle and an ambulance. (Click on images
below for full views)
The Kit is from the Zvezda Company of Russia using
injection plastic molds from the Italeri Company. Etched brass parts and
tubing and sheet styrene plastic was used for detailing. Construction
began by removing the Zvezda trademark from the hull bottom. The hull was
built as per kit plans except that small metal chain was added to the tow
bar, etched brass towing and lifting points and a metal muffler guard were
substituted for the kit parts.
The hull interior parts from the Eduard Company
include the driver’s and two crew seats in the fighting compartment, the
instrument panel, radio, steering levers and grab handles. Racks for
signal flags are also from Eduard. The signal flags were made from plastic
tubing and glue-soaked tissue. Although I cannot find any current
knowledge of the flag colors and their meanings, red, black, white and
yellow flags were made.
A simulated transmission, drive-shaft
and gear change lever were scratch built and gearshift gates were painted
in. The ventilator louvers for the fighting compartment are etched brass.
Latch details from the doors were replaced with etched brass. The cupola
hatch interiors are from Eduard as are the head cushions. A rear fire wall
was added to the fighting compartment from sheet styrene.
The interior was painted using ModelMaster buff
paint. Winsor and Newton burnt umber was used as a wash for providing
depth. The engine compartment was painted flat black and brass grills and
lifting points were added.
The vehicle exterior is from the kit except for
brass position light support and headlight blackout covers. The siren face
plate is also brass. Front and rear fender flaps are etched brass with
fine wire springs replacing the kit parts on the rear fenders. Tools are
from the kit with clamps and quick-release clamps from Eduard in brass. A
balsa wood jack block was substituted for the kit plastic
block.
ModelMaster enamel RAL 8020 Afrika braun was used
as exterior paint with Non-buffing metalizer Gunmetal for the machine gun
and tracks. ModelMaster rust was applied to the tracks, a flat black wash
followed and then the tracks were highlighted with steel paint. A similar
treatment was given to the tow cable. An oil paint black and burnt umber
wash was applied to the crevices and then dry-brushing with progressively
lightened shades of Afrika braun and Panzer Buff were used to highlight
details. The markings are of the 15th Panzer Division in Libya
in 1941.
th century.
Charles B. Payne,
Jr. | 
