Model Armour

This scene depicts a 17.Panzer division Grenadier Flak unit somewhere in the Czech lands in April 1945. The unit is staging a fighting withdrawl heading west in the hope of eventually encountering American forces rather than be captured by pursuing Russian forces.

It is dawn. For the moment all is quiet; Sturmoviks don’t fly at night. From daylight onwards the gun will be kept armed and someone will be sitting permanently in the aimers seat, even on the move. Unlike the 20cm Flak 38, this 3cm 'Jaboschrek' can spoil a Sturmovik’s day and anti-aircraft units are fiercely hunted down by Soviet aircraft.

The crew are hungry and haven’t eaten in 24 hours. They’ve managed to grab hot food from the company kitchen. There is never a guarantee that more will be available.

They are dressed in winter parkas with the exception of the driver who has acquired a Russian quilted Telegroika, at least as warm as the German parka. The Feldwebel wears a camouflaged jacket, normally only issued to actual combat troops. Amazingly the crewman bringing the food has managed to get hold of a new pair of Leibermuster trousers only just issued to German frontline troops fighting in Czechoslovakia.

Despite the profusion of jerry cans on the vehicle, only one is actually full and it’s a lottery as to whether fuel or 3cm ammunition will run out first for this crew.  They have no expectations about winning the war and survival is now their foremost preoccupation.

Full Build: Steyr 2000A 3cm. Flak.38/103 AA Gun Carrier