Developed and initially deployed as an anti-aircraft gun, the 88mm Flak gun, with its flat trajectory also proved to be potent in the anti-tank role in the Spanish Civil War, and was widely deployed by the German forces in both roles during WWII. The first version of the 88mm family was the Flak 18, which was introduced into service in 1933. The improved Flak 36, which is the subject of Dragon's latest release (May 2005) had a two part barrel which was cheaper to manufacture as the barrel lengths could be manufactured on smaller lathes (the longer Flak 18 barrel required specialised lathes as large as the barrel) and also offered benefits in that as the barrel liner wore out unevenly, only the worn length needed to be replaced at any one time. The Flak 36, which entered service in 1936, also featured improved limbers (trailers), which allowed for the gun to be quickly set up by lowering the base, without detaching the limber. This new trailer can be identified by the presence of twin tyres on all wheels and simpler more rounded wheel arches. The later Flak 37 differed from the Flak 36 principally in the gun layer’s controls. The 88mm Flak series were typically towed by the Sd. Kfz 7 half-track.

Contents

This kit’s contents are comprehensive with all new tooling for the gun and limber. The parts include a mix of injection molding which is crisp and in many cases done with side-mould technology, turned metal for the barrels (two types), equilibrators and the recuperator, metal chains, two sheets of decals and photo etch. A significant number of accessories are provided including six new figures of men in winter camouflage serving the gun, three brass shells, and two types of ammunition boxes (wooden and wicker). Overall the kit contains 589 parts. The sprues are designed to minimise the presence of visible sink holes, by use of small plastic nobs on the sides of the parts (I found these came of easier than usual but remember to take care). Interestingly several of the sprues are labeled Flak 36/37.

The instructions run to 36 steps of line drawings and are well laid out. The instructions clearly identify with both English language captions and symbols where the modeler has a choice in how the kit can be built.

The Flak 36 and Mounting

The gun is flexible in how it can be built and has considerable small detail such as the finely detailed traverse wheels and fuse setter. Features include:

• Slide molded one-piece shield, which has a thin profile and detail such as bolt heads and brackets on both sides. Some, but not all, edges are beveled. The separate armored viewing cover can be left open or closed.
• Two types of gun cradles, one for when the shield is fitted and the other for when it is absent. Choice of plastic or metal parts for both the two piece Flak 36 or earlier one piece Flak 18 barrel and respective breech blocks. Both metal barrels have counter sunk screw holes milled near their bases (this extra detail is costly to add and often missing on metal barrels) and also have hollowed out muzzle breaks. The plastic barrels also feature rifling, even though it is a tad over scale. Photos show that the earlier Flak 18 barrel was often fitted to the Flak 36.
• The underside of the turntable is well detailed, while the upper side has crisply detailed teeth and bolt heads.
• Option of being modeled either in-position or in draught for transport. The instructions show how the side legs and handles on the gun crew seat should be fitted in each mode.
• The height of the stabilising jacks can de adjusted to the ground’s contour and optional half-length securing spikes are also included.

Sonderhanger 202

The limber for the Flak 36, which was officially named the Sonderhanger 202, consisted of two structurally identical bogies. In this kit the limber comprise 14 of the construction steps and are a project on their own. The most noticeable feature of the limber unit is the sophistication of the mould designs.

The basic structure for each bogie is a single moulding, which incorporates both wheel arches and the chassis frame. This integrated approach eliminates the risk of the key shape being misaligned during assembly. The front and rear of each wheel arch has a horizontal seam line, which should be straightforward to remove.

Each of the tyres is assembled from 5 discs. The outer discs have the sidewall pattern and shoulder pattern, and the inner discs provide the tread pattern with the joins being the recessed grooves. This novel approach appears to be an effective way of reproducing the tread pattern of real tyres without the problems of cleanup and/or painting inherent with rubber or resin.

Other features of the limber units include complete suspension unit, workable towing beam, cable reels with cable (black cable is included), varying tools, metal chain for hitching the limber to the gun and brakes inside the wheels which have crisp hub detail.

Markings

Two water slide decal sheets are included. The larger sheet provides a range of markings specific to the Flak 36 including kill rings for the barrel, tally markings for the gun shield and two versions of the white “L” shaped width markers for the trailers. This sheet also includes decals to depict a hard-edged dark yellow and olive green camouflage scheme for those modelers who would prefer a ready-made solution over using an airbrush and masks.

The second decal sheet is from the Sdkfz 251/1 Ausf C (riveted version) and provides a large range of 75 divisional markings (division emblems for Panzer Divisions 1 through to 14), Balkan Crosses and shipping stencils for the 251 family. I certainly shall find the many spare markings on this sheet useful for other projects.

Painting and marking plans are provided for 6 guns including 3 from the Eastern Front, the Herman Goring Panzer Division in Sicily and 2 units from North Africa.

Figures

The Flak includes six crew figures serving an in-action gun. Three of the men are handling the rounds, one is seated serving as the gunner, another is standing holding a pair of binoculars and the last figure is standing using an Em. R 1m range-finder. All men are wearing the M1942 reversible winter parka with matching padded trousers and winter boots introduced for the winter of 42/43 and used until war’s end. Early versions of the parka were white on one side with field grey on the reverse, while later versions had camouflage patters (e.g. splinter pattern) on the reverse. The trousers are the early pattern as evident by the four-button fly and cut around the ankles. The figures are sculptured to Dragon’s current high standard as evident in the lifelike facial features and subtle differences in how each figure wears their uniform.

Ammunition

In aggregate this set includes sufficient munitions for a diorama, although I can imagine many modelers will add extra rounds and other accessories such as small arms. The inventory includes 3 brass shells (1 each of HE, practice HE and AP), 6 plastic shells, 2 injection plastic wooden ammunition boxes with internal detail, which can be modeled either open or closed, and four wicker ammunition boxes which also can be modeled either open or closed. Showing the kit’s attention to detail two of the wicker boxes contain 3 rounds, one contains 2 rounds and 1 empty spot, and the third is empty. A Photo etch fret (from the Tiger I) contains 24 assorted end pieces for the shells.

Recommendation

Dragon's 88mm Flak 36 is an impressive kit where the well planned use of mixed media and slide mould technology allows modellers to build an accurate and very detailed model. The inclusion of a well posed gun crew, a good stock of ammunition with storage boxes and the ability to adjust the jacks and other parts offers considerable potential for dioramas and ensures that the Flak 36 represents excellent value for money. This combination of finesse, and accessories resulted in this being the first kit review where I have awarded the full 5 stars. Highly recommended.

Footnote

Dragon have also released the six crewmen as a separate set German Flak Artillery Crew (item 6275). This set includes ammunition boxes and individual shells and extra parts, such as a second set of arms, for each figure allowing flexibility in the poses.

Thank you to Dragon Models for the review sample.

Review by Neville Lord.

User Contributed Notes