One of the continuing themes in German armored vehicle development during WW2 was the need for reconnaissance vehicles capable of operating with the armored forces and able to defend themselves; a second was a reluctance to abandon any serviceable chassis. These two themes came together in early 1944 when 50 PzKfw 38 (t) chassis returned for repair were given a new armored superstructure and fitted with the 2 cm Hängelafette 38 turret (also used on the Sdkfz 250/9 and 251/23 half-tracks and the 234/1 armored car).

The SdKfz 140/1 is VM's (of St. Petersburg, Russia) third release in this country, (the first two being the British Valentine and Bishop) and is a welcome addition which is long overdue. Opening the box-which has a very nicely done color drawing of the vehicle-you will find 7 parts trees moulded in a light grey colored styrene and one fret of photo-etched parts. Four identical sprues contain the suspension parts and a total of 160 individual track links. Two of the other sprues contain the basic hull and interior components, while the last tree carries the new armored superstructure and 2 cm turret parts; The kit also includes a set of flexible tracks for the individual link phobic. The company has designed the parts trees so that they only need to change out the seventh tree in order to produce the other three vehicles they evidently plan on this chassis; a PzBfw 38 (t) Ausf C, PzKfw 38 (t) Ausf G and an Instandsetzungs 38 (t).

All the parts are crisply and delicately moulded, with virtually no flash and obvious thought was given to the placement of the ejector pins, locating them either on the underside of pieces or in areas which will be at least partially covered by other assemblies. The instruction clearly shows each of the 12 construction steps with exploded isometric drawings annotated with individual assembly drawings as well as a complete range of construction technique icons and color call-outs. Decal placement is covered in a thirteenth drawing. The fenders are moulded separately from the body and are free from sink holes. The hull plates are covered with delicate and extremely well done rivet detail; some of the plates suffer from sink holes but none are located where they threaten to obscure detail. The decals include national markings, chassis numbers and markings for the Wallonie, Nederland and Reichsführer SS divisions.

Conclusion

After examining the kit I can't wait to start building. I have to commend MV on their choice of subject as well as for producing such a fine kit. The kit retails for $24.95 (US). According to VM they plan on marketing accessory kits which are obviously out-takes from the production kits, i.e. Set 1 - Suspension and track for 38 (t), Set2 - 2 cm Hängelafette 38 turret, Set 3 - Engine & Engine Compartment for 38 (t) and Hetzer as well as including a Maybach HL 120 TRM engine and PzKfw IV transmission with the Instandsetzungs 38 (t).

I will update this review after finishing the kit and let you know if my opinion of the kit holds up.