Bronco ModelsTrumpeter
Sd.Kfz.6/2 3.7cm FlaK36
auf Fahrgestell Zugkraftwagen 5t

1:35 kit comparison
Bronco Models Kit No. CB-35043 - Trumpeter Kit #05532

Chapter 1: Chassis
Chapter 1: Chassis:
There is not a lot of accurate reference around showing the configuration of the Sd.Kfz.6 BN 9 chassis, especially the inside arrangements and as a consequence both kits has a mixture of the chassis details. Both kits have the chassis moulded as a single part with the torsion bar and other cross members as one to form the basis for the remainder of the kits. There are small size differences between the two kit chassis and the available plans but nothing to get too excited over.

BroncoBronco: Detail on the chassis is nicely done with well defined suspension mounting detail correctly offset axle locating holes (upper and lower) on each side of the chassis with additional upper halves of each suspension channel, you do need to take care when fitting these to not mix up the location as it’s easy to misinterpret the instructions.

The rear chassis cross members are correctly depicted for the BN 9 chassis with perforated upper and lower panels and the perforated inner support beams although these should be angled outward slightly and not parallel as indicated, the parallel beams were used on earlier chassis.

Included are the two angled fuel tanks but a notable omission is the two compressed air tanks located between the rear suspension channels but as these are completely hidden after assembly not such a big deal. The large winch assembly should have round holes around the rim of the top guide disc and not the rectangular holes included on the kit part, also the winch mounting is not correct for the Sd.Kfz.6 but depicts that of the later Sd.Kfz.7 but again this is hard to see after assembly.

On the rear panel the multi-part tow cable guide is nicely detailed and builds into an excellent replica of the real item with twine for the tow cable and a small plastic hook to add to the end of the cable. The tow hitch also well done as is the compressed air bracket but there should be a series of 14 small grease nipples under the tow hitch which could be added as per the original.

The front suspension is made up with large mounting plates plus some very small parts and the single leaf spring requires the moulding lines to be removed, this is then trapped between the two mounting plates. These have small pins that fit into the springs but you need to trim about 0.5mm off the end of each pin for a proper fit.

There is an issue where the length of the main axle is 4mm short (2mm each side) meaning the track of the front wheels sits too far inside the fenders after assembly and you will need to lengthen the axles accordingly. This is fairly straightforward thankfully, just cut the ends from the axle and insert a 2mm plug (allowing for the saw thickness) as per the image below, the sprue runners are the exact diameter of the axle so the 2mm plug can be cut from a section of sprue. The steering arm (part F61) will also need to be lengthened by the same 4mm to fit to the widened steering brackets with the rest of the assembly as per instructions.

Modifications to widen the front axle as above
Bronco

The suspension linkages are nicely done but need a little care during assembly, although the two moulded on damper cylinders are undersized. There is a separate steering rod with V stabiliser bar and linkages added to the left chassis side, these are all fixed in place as the wheels are not steerable after assembly.


TrumpeterTrumpeter: Detail on the chassis is quite basic in comparison with fairly plain suspension mounting detail  but correctly offset axle locating holes (upper and lower) on each side of the chassis with additional upper halves of each suspension channel, you do need to take care when fitting these to not mix up the location as it’s easy to misinterpret the instructions.

The rear chassis cross members are incorrectly depicted for the BN 9 chassis without the perforations in the upper and lower panels as they should and  the inner angled support beams are not correct based on available reference data for the BN 9 chassis.

Included are the two angled fuel tanks as well as the two compressed air tanks located between the rear suspension channels while the large winch assembly has the correct round holes around the rim of the top guide disc although a little oversized but as this is hidden after assembly not such a big deal.

On the rear panel the multi-part tow cable guide is very poorly represented lacking most of the detail of the real item with the tow hitch and compressed air bracket both oversized but there is the series of 14 small grease nipples included under the tow hitch which is correct.

The front suspension mounting plates are quite large and differ from those in the Bronco kit but as there isn’t any clear reference available on this area it’s difficult to determine which is the correct configuration. The suspension linkages are also a little oversized but you get separate damper cylinders with the front axle the correct width with separate steering rod with V stabiliser bar and linkages added to the left chassis side, these are all fixed in place as the wheels are not steerable after assembly.

Detail images
Sd.Kfz.6/2
Click for large views
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Page created July 12, 2011



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