Jacek Zabielski’s new monograph arrives as a welcome addition to the literature on early-war light tanks. The LT vz. 35—better known in German service as the Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)—has long occupied an awkward middle ground: important enough to appear in most general accounts of the 1939–41 campaigns, yet rarely given sustained, dedicated treatment in English. This book sets out to correct that imbalance.

Scope and Approach

The work covers the tank’s full arc: its origins as a Škoda design for the interwar Czechoslovak Army, technical development, production, and subsequent use by Germany, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, and other operators. Particular attention is paid to mobility, mechanical features, reliability, and the vehicle’s performance in the early Blitzkrieg campaigns in Poland and France, as well as its later service on the Eastern Front before obsolescence set in. The publisher notes roughly 260 black-and-white illustrations supporting the text.

ICM has done it again with a great combination kit containing three vehicles currently serving Ukraine against the Russian invasion. This boxing Military Vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (DS7205 – Diorama Set) has three complete kits: Ural-43203, BM-21 ‘Grad’ and SPz Marder 1 A3. From the ICM webpage for the Military Vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operate various military equipment, primarily consisting of Soviet-era models. Most of these vehicles have stood the test of time and remain effective for combat tasks.

For background information on the main figure, please see the review I wrote titled “Bandai Rosan Swordman”.

This set, like the Swordman kit, is part of the ’30 Minute Fantasy’ series. There are various Class Up Armor sets available for the different figures throughout the series.

The Kit

Included in the box are three trees: one is bright blue and the other two are silver. The silver trees are mostly duplicate parts from the man Swordman kit 5072036.

The assembly process guides you through a series of steps where you essentially take apart the Rosan silhouette figure. This means removing the head, the arms, and the legs.

As with all Bandai kits, careful study of the instructions in advance is very important because, depending on certain poses or accouterment features selected, you will need to vary the assembly.