Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A 4.Serie/La.S. (Smart Kit)

As Germany attempted to rearm in the 1930s in the lead-up to WWII, the military leadership relied heavily on the Pz.Kpfw.I. Some 1,493 examples of all types were built and these light tanks served in the early campaigns even though they were supposed to be just training platforms. Mass production of the Ausf.A commenced in April 1934, with this version having four road wheels per side, and production continued until June 1936. To conceal its true function, Germany originally labeled these vehicles as Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper (“agricultural tractor”, La.S.). The fourth production run (Series 4) was the final type in the Ausf.A family. The Panzer I featured a rotating turret with two 7.92mm MG13 Dreyse machine guns. The vehicle was thinly armored with just 13mm steel at its thickest point. It operated with a crew of two men. The small and vulnerable tank was eventually phased out in favor of better and heavier designs.

Dragon is offering a fine 1/35 scale Smart Kit of a 4.Serie/La.S. version of the Panzer I. The kit depicts a vehicle slightly later in origin than the Early-Production Panzer I Ausf.A released earlier (Item No.6289). Indeed, this Ausf.A variant is a welcome addition to Dragon’s Panzer I lineup as it utilizes some high-quality components from previous kits, but mixed with a range of brand new elements specifically introduced for this 4.Serie tank. These modifications include a newly tooled engine deck that’s made with the aid of slide molds, and the louvered hatch that’s positioned near the rear of the deck. The kit has the correct suspension and transmission inspection cover for this variant. The track links may be tiny but they’re perfectly produced via Magic Tracks with no need for time-consuming cleanup. The Panzer I may have been small in size, but this model kit possesses an enormous stature in terms of quality and ease of construction.

Models are supplied unpainted and some assembly is required.