Background

The French and Indian War as the Seven Years War is known in the United States has gotten short shrift. Having grown up in a bi-cultural setting, French-Canadian and American, this period was barely, if ever, mentioned. Even in my college years, there was little said of this war. Most of us are only familiar with this period through THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. PBS did do a good documentary on the F&IW a few years back called THE WAR THAT MADE AMERICA and this is a good primer on the war and its impact.

The Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) was one of two light tanks seized by the German army when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia in 1938-39. Both light tanks were used to flesh out three German Panzer Divisions and were a very important element in the invasions of Poland (1939), France & the low countries (1940) and Russia in 1941.

The Czech firm Skoda was one of the leading producers of munitions, field guns and tanks in the 1930's. Their design of a light tank for the Czech army was the Lt Vz 35, which weighed 10.5 tons, had a 37mm main gun along with a 7.92mm MG in the turret and another 7.92mm MG in the front hull. It was the equivalent of the German Panzer III. When Germany took the Czech tanks they repainted them and changed their name to the Pz.Kpfw.35(t), the “t” being German for Czechoslovakia. The production line was never restarted and by early 1942 the few remaining tanks, with no spare parts, were withdrawn from service.

Once again, thanks up front to Eduard for sending us this set; It’s been a great upgrade, (as you will be able to see) and a worthy investment. Thanks also to IPMS USA leadership for entrusting such a massive endeavor to my feeble skills…

Here’s the final two sets for the build!