A 1/35 Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer 'Late Version'...

This new arrival from Academy features a late model Hetzer.  This is not one packed with internal detailing, just the basic external vehicle itself, with nicely done detail all there to see.  Track is done in the link-and-length style, with two sprues holding the parts, one to complete each side.  One piece of etch metal for an engine deck grill and two nicely animated crew figures, as seen in the box art.  Also on the hull roof is the remote operated mounting for an MG42.  Transfers provided are quite basic, with the national crosses.  We haven't built this yet so assume fit of parts will be to the usual good standard Academy set, it certainly looks good from examining the box contents.

What makes this unusual to my recall is the way Academy have provided for the Ambush Pattern camouflage scheme.  Most of us will be familiar with the 3-colour German camouflage scheme  often seen on these little tank destroyers, but what Academy have done, as well as give a plan of the scheme in the instructions, is to also have provided masks to put on for spray painting the pattern onto your model.  In the album below which illustrates all the kit contents you will see what looks like a sheet of yellow paper.  Not practical to picture it any better at this stage, but this carries the pre-cut stencils, which if you look at the associated plan, are numbered, showing you where to position them on the model in order to create the complete pattern.  It is the first time I can recall finding stencils such as this in a kit as boxed, rather than buying stencils from an after-market producer such as Eduard.  Well done to Academy for going for this, along with using the link and length track option, which I have to admit I particularly like.

Our thanks to Pocketbond, who are the importers for Academy kits in the UK.