| Introduction: |
Following on from their conversion for the Steyr Type 2000A Flak38 AA Gun Carrier (set #LW 35029), Leadwarrior have released this conversion for the late war Steyr Type 2000A mit Flak38/103 "Jaboschreck" built on the strengthened Steyr Type 2000A which featured the duel rear wheels and reinforced rear springs for the additional weight.
This conversion is again designed for the Tamiya Steyr Type 1500A (kit #35225) with this set converting the kit into the Steyr Type 2000A with regular length chassis but with the duel rear wheels and reinforced rear springs. This version also has the cut down cab and shorter sides to the rear bed so as not to hinder the gun in action and is also designed to use the Dragon 3cm Flak 38/103 Jaboschreck (kit #6353) with the round mounting base in the rear bed ready for the Dragon gun.
The 3cm Flak 38/103 was built on the same carriage as the 2cm Flak38 but did not according to most documentation see action until quite late in the war, possibly late 1944 or early 1945 and no photos exist of this particular vehicle conversion but is described in some documentation with this conversion based on those reports.
| The kit: |
The set has 61 parts in light cream resin cast to the highest standards with the large cargo bay floor and sides cast perfectly flat without any hint of warping or other blemishes. There are no air holes present on any of the parts and just fine resin film to be removed from some parts while others have the usual casting blocks that are quite easy to remove.
The detail on the parts is also very good with subtle wood grain effect on the rear bed floor and side panels and clean details on the smaller parts, the usual care is needed when cleaning up the parts due to the finesse but there are real issues. The resin is also a little softer than some which makes cleaning up easier but it is also easy to remove too much resin in the process so take care during cleanup so as not to damage any parts.
The set provides a full rear tray with floor and the four sides plus the underside chassis mountings with additional smaller parts for the crew seats and supports, a new driver’s cab floor, rear wall and doors plus additional rear springs and wheels for the duel wheel layout. The Tamiya kit cab interior parts are added to the resin floor with only minor kit modifications required as most resin parts simply replace the kit parts.
| Assembly: |
This is fairly straightforward as far as resin sets go with the rear tray parts fitting together easily as all the parts are cast perfectly square and free of any distortions, some of the longer panels had minor warping lengthwise but are easily pulled into line when fitted to the other parts so is not really an issue.
The lower tray bed chassis parts interlock with each other making for trouble free alignment and attaching this to the undersides of the floor is also quick and easy. There is an additional panel fitted to the bottom of the underside ammo storage 'box' which again fits neatly into place without any trimming required.
The folding side panels have fine hinges cast on the lower edges and care is needed with these as they are quite fragile and three were missing from my parts but thankfully the broken bits were still in the plastic zip lock bag and quickly glued back in place. Inside the tray is the central round base for the Flak gun which has excellent bolt head detail and an additional round bracket for good detail definition as well as the two folding crew seats that can be shown raised or lowered plus separate doors for the lower ammo storage area below the bed and you can show these open or closed as you wish.
There is also the rear convoy light and number plate parts added along with the side tray latches added from the fine resin parts provided and again care will be needed in handling these parts.
Added to the undersides of the tray bed is a storage box and jerry can rack that is made up of 4 very fine resin parts that will need care during cleanup and assembly but there shouldn't be any real problems if due care is taken. The set provides 3 resin German style gerry cans with separate grab handles and filler spouts but you will have to use a forth jerry can from the Tamiya kit to fill the rack which is designed for the 4 jerry cans.
For the Tamiya kit chassis there are the additional rear springs and mountings which again are all very straightforward to fit without any traps but the exhaust pipe will have to be altered to end just before the modified springs which again is easy to do.
Fitting the second rear wheel for the duel wheel layout required a little work as the additional resin wheel just sits flush against the kit wheel but should have a small gap between the wheels. This can be achieved by adding a small washer made from thin card and modifying the brake drum part (B46) so it still holds the poly cap in place. The new duel wheels fit to the kit axles without any further modifications and add a different look to the kit.
The cab floor has the driver’s foot pedals cast in place like the Tamiya kit and has nice tread plate pattern included with locating holes and lugs to take the seats and driver’s levers as well as separate side panels and doors. Included in the set is a new full bench seat as fitted to later Steyrs in place of the two individual seats and this fits easily in place on top of the Tamiya kit parts B21 and D10.
These parts fit together easily but there was a fit problem attaching the kit firewall bulkhead (part A26) to the resin sides and floor which leaves some gaps around the forward edges that can be filled with thin card and while these are a bit out of sight after assembly will still need attention.
The fit of the cab to the kit engine compartment is straightforward as this fits to the firewall bulkhead (part A26) the same as with the normal kit and the cab floor and rear tray fit easily to the kit chassis. There are no locating pins for these parts so make sure you line them up correctly while being glued in place but other than that no other problems arose.
Finally there is a spare wheel mounting for the front bumper grill as this was not carried under the rear tray in the normal fashion on this vehicle and this again fit easily in place with the Tamiya kit spare wheel used.
Also included are two replacement hand wheels for the Dragon 3cm Flak 38/103 to replace the incorrect hand wheels in the kit for an added update.
Image showing the Dragon kit hand wheel, the rear wheel and the replacement resin wheel.
Actual FlaK38/103 image courtesy AFV Modeller Magazine
| Instructions: |
These are exploded view line drawings similar to mainstream kit instructions and are much cleared than the photos type instructions used on many resin sets. This makes assembly very simple as there is no confusion at all where things go with all part numbers called out along with a part layout diagram again with part numbers.
The instructions also clearly indicate when Tamiya kit parts are to be used listing the kit numbers which again make things very clear and the assembly sequences are easy to follow but you should still study the instructions before hand as you would with any to eliminate any problems.
| Conclusion: |
The standard of resin casting is again superb with finely rendered details and no blemishes to deal with and while assembly is straightforward there is some minor work needed as mentioned above but nothing out of the ordinary for resin conversion kits.
The fit of the full rear tray parts is superb and went together like a normal plastic kit for a relatively easy conversion.
This conversion is a perfect companion to the earlier 2cm Flak conversion for anyone wanting a different home for their Flak guns.
Highly recommended 8/10
| Resin parts and Instruction sheets: |
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Detail Images
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