Sd.Kfz. 265- Panzerbefehlswagen I

Manufacturer:ESCI/Ertl (Kit #8370; ESCI #8041; Revell/ESCI #H2341)

I plannedto build this kit as a quick, out-of-the-box project. I shouldhave known I couldn't do it. I started detailing one part, andthen I had to do more ...

Generalizations:

I reallylike the looks of this kit. The vehicle is small and very simpleto build. This kit shares the main sprue of parts with ESCI's Panzer I and Panzerjaeger I kits. There aresmall, additional sprues of parts in each kit for the uniqueversions. The only scale references I have for this vehicle arethe kit instructions, and Squadron/Signal's LeichtePanzers In Action , which do not agree onsize specifications. The kit is closest to Squadron'smeasurements. According to the book, the model should be 62.3mmlong, 28.8mm wide, and 26.8mm tall. The finished model actuallymeasures 61.0mm long, 28.0mm wide, and 28.0mm tall. I think theheight discrepancy is due to the thick tracks.

For themost part, the fit of all the parts was very good. The exceptionwas the upper to lower hull join. The rear hull plate is tootall, and must be shaved down a bit at the top. Also, maybe itwas just me, but I could not get the left superstructure sidedoors to fit straight.

Inaccuracies:

• The hull shape where the engine deck meets the rear of the superstructure is incorrect, according to all drawings and color profiles that I have seen. I have seen only one, unrevealing, rear-view photo of this vehicle, so it's difficult to tell.
• There were two projections on the upper glacis plate, presumably representing eye rings for tow cables, but these should be removed. I'm not sure why they are there, considering that none of the Pz. I versions had these.
• The sprocket wheels have about half as many teeth as they should, consequently, each track link is larger than should be, and there are far fewer of them. I'm guessing that this was due to molding limitations when this kit was initially produced.
• The instructions have a couple of errors: the tracks are shown attached backwards (as I glued them); the two visors on the front of the superstructure are difficult to locate based on the instructions. Use the box art as a guide.
• The visor on the right superstructure wall is located too low on the wall. Again, use the box art as a guide.

AddedDetails:

• I replaced the commander's hatch handles;
• cut a groove down the center of the antenna storage rack;
• added a wire for the trailer hitch;
• and, rebuilt the muffler from styrene and brass mesh.

Shouldthis vehicle have the air intake cover above the engine deck? Iadded it to hide the intake grate at the lower rear of thesuperstructure, because it needs more detail. However, I haveseen no photos of any Pz. I variant with this cover. The Squadrondrawings are the only place I have ever seen it.

There is asmall hole on the right, forward hull at the base of thesuperstructure. This is an antenna mount location hole for thePz.I version, and should be filled for this present kit (which Ifailed to do). For the ESCI/Ertl release with the hard plastictracks, there are plenty of extra individual track links in orderto reproduce track sag.

The kitcomes with one commander figure. He is dressed in the early waruniform with Panzerschutzmutz hat, and is not too poorlydetailed. I painted my kit in Polly Scale Panzer Gray, and useddecals from my spares box. The decals in my kit were too old touse.