Bronco Models 1/35 Hungarian 40/43M Zrinyi II 105mm Assault Gun Kit First Look
By Dave Manter
| Date of Review | October 2012 | Manufacturer | Bronco Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Hungarian 40/43M Zrinyi II 105mm Assault Gun | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 35036 | Primary Media | Styrene/PE |
| Pros | Great detail, photo etch side skirts, stencil provided for side skirts, full drivers compartment | Cons | Lots of small parts |
| Skill Level | Advanced | MSRP (USD) | $69.95 |
First Look
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When the German Army invaded Czechoslovakia, the Skoda factories were quickly put back into operation producing weapons for their new masters. One project under development was the Skoda T-21 medium tank, which was passed on to the Hungarians in 1941 to become the M40 Turan. In Hungarian service the tank was the basis for the M40/43M Zrinyi II 105mm Self Propelled Gun. Manfred Weiss produced the Zrinyi II from August 1943 to July 1944, producing between 40 and 66 vehicles. Armor was from 16mm to 75mm thick and a maximum road speed of 43 km/h could be attained. The Zrinyi was used on the Russian front alongside German forces, and most were eventually captured by the Red Army.
The kit consists of numerous, highly detailed parts in Broncos tan colored plastic. Detail and molding are of the highest quality. No flash is present. 3 sheets of photo etch detail parts are provided. The side skirts are provided in photo etch and are of the mesh type. A metal stencil is provided to help with the markings on the side skirts. Brilliant Bronco! Detail on the individual track links is as good as I have seen. The instructions are very well laid out and easy to follow. Decals are provided for 3 vehicles. They are:
- Overall green, 1st Battery, 1 Assault Gun Battalion
- Overall green, 3rd Battery, 1 Assault Gun Battalion
- 3 color scheme, 3rd Battery, 1 Assault Gun Battalion
Construction looks to be pretty straight forward and fit of the main components is good. The build will take some time due to the amount of detail but should present no problems.
My sincere thanks to DML for this review sample!