German pz.kpfw. And Ausf. F (vk 18.01) late 1:72 Flyhawk 3011

Plastic model kit: German Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. F (VK 18.01) Late 1:72 Flyhawk 3011

The Flyhawk 3011 model kit represents the German light tank from World War II - Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. F (VK 18.01) in 1:72 scale. This particular model is an excellent choice for military history enthusiasts and modelers who value precision and detail in their work.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:72
• Manufacturer: Flyhawk
• Catalog number: 3011
• Material: Plastic

History and historical background:

The Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. F, also known as VK 18.01, was a German light tank from World War II. Despite being designated as a modification of the Panzer I tank, the VK 18.01 was a completely new vehicle that had little in common with other variants of the Panzer I. This tank was created in 1942 as a light tank intended for storming fortified lines. In the same year, 30 units were produced (serial numbers 150301-150330). From 1943, it was used for anti-partisan operations on the Eastern Front and in Yugoslavia.

Construction and specifications:

• Armor: The tank had armor thickness of 80 mm at the front, 50 mm on the sides and rear, and 25 mm on the top and bottom. The armor was nearly impervious to contemporary anti-tank weapons.
• Engine: Maybach HL 45P, 6-cylinder, with a power of 150 HP (110 kW), with a four-speed gearbox and one reverse gear.
• Suspension: Specially developed Schachtellaufwerk suspension with overlapping wheels and torsion bar suspension.
• Armament: Two MG-34 machine guns of 7.92 mm caliber.
• Equipment: Five periscopes for the commander, a sight for the machine guns, a folding sight for the driver, and a FuG 2 radio.

Combat use:

The first tanks were sent to the Eastern Front in May 1942 with the 66th Special Tank Battalion near Leningrad. By September 1942, the battalion was assigned to the 12th Panzer Division. Eight Ausf. F tanks (along with two Panzer I Ausf. C tanks) were assigned to the 1st Panzer Division. Their performance was poor, as they were sent into situations for which they were not designed. Almost all Ausf. F models used by the 12th and 1st Divisions were destroyed by the end of 1943. Five tanks were used to fight partisans in areas occupied by the USSR by the 2nd Police Tank Company, all of which were destroyed by August 1944. The Ausf. F was also used to combat partisan activities in Yugoslavia.

Surviving examples:

Currently, two of these vehicles have survived in museums:

• One is located in the Military Museum in Belgrade.
• The other in Russia in the Tank Museum in Kubinka.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.