Our model depicts the version of the Hetzer seen mounting the 20mm Flak38 Anti-Aircraft Gun. It is not known how many of these rare AFVs were built, but photographic evidence shows at least one in Prague in early 1945.
This was Germany's first mass production tank with a total of 818 produced between 1934 and 1936 and first saw action in the Spanish Civil War with the Condor Legion and the Fascist Nationalist forces. Armed with just two 7.92mm MG13's, they later they went on see action in the early war years in Poland, Denmark, Norway and France being withdrawn from combat areas from late 1940. Finally, they were used in 1941 in both Finland and in the North African campaign.
Only 43 of this rare Panzer II with its distinctive suspension, were built in 1938 and saw action in Poland before being withdrawn for conversion to the PzKpfw. II Flammpanzer "Flamingo" . Later this chassis was used for the Marder II.
Numerically a very important tank for Germany at the beginning of the war they saw action with the Wehrmact in Poland, France, the Balkans and Russia and also with some of the other Axis forces including Bulgaria, Rumania and Slovakia. (See Aleran Decals for other nations of the Axis markings)
The 50mm L/60armed Ausf. L variant had increased armour (to 57mm) and front spaced armour. They were built between January and December 1942 with a total of 653 being built. They were supplied as replacements to units on the Eastern Front to replace losses but were also supplied to the newly formed Ist Panzer Division; the "LAH", the 2nd. "Das Reich" and the 3rd. "Totenkopf" SS Panzergrenadier Division as well as to the Grossdeutschland.
With the now obviously decreased effectiveness of the 50mm KwK39 L/60 gun against Soviet armour, it was decided to mount the short 75mm L/24 gun, with its ability to fire HE and HP, which was also fitted to Panzer IVs, to this chassis. The early vehicles were based on the Ausf. L chassis and differed from the later variant by having a split cupola, no turret spaced armour and a different exhaust. In total 700 were built or converted between June 1942 and August 1943.
This model depicts the late Ausf. N which also had the short 75mm L/24 gun fitted which due to the spaced armour on the turret made the barrel look stunted. These late vehicles differed from the early variant by having a single cupola lid, spaced turret and hull armour and the late exhaust. They were supplied as replacements on the Russian Front in time for the Kursk offensive. Others were supplied to the Hermann Goring Division and the 15th Panzergrenadier Division for the defence of Sicily.
Only 35 of these, the first of the influential Mark IV series built, went on to see action in Poland, Norway and France before being withdrawn from service in the spring of 1941. Our model captures the Ausf. A's distinctive clean lines and "Dust Bin" Cupola look.
A total of 229 of this variant were built between 1939 and May 1941 and went oA total of 229 of this variant were built between 1939 and May 1941 and is most easily distinguished from the earlier variants by the "stepped" superstructure. This version went on to see action in the Low Countries, France, the Balkans. The revised, upgraded version was used in North Africa and Russia, with the last few still in service in 1944. This is the earliest version which did not have a turret bin. The later type D, which also was Uparmoured, had the turret bin as standard. The final version of the Ausf D, 30 of which went to North Africa, also have turret bins and was heavily modified by being "tropicalized". n to see action in the Low Countries and France, the Balkans, North Africa and in Russia, with the last few still in service in 1944.
