T-Model TK35001 - 1:35 Ssyms Structure Upgrade PE Set

T-Model photo-etched structure set for the heavy Ssyms flatcar in 1:35

T-Model TK35001 is a photo-etched set for upgrading 1:35 models of the German 80 ton Ssyms heavy flatcar produced by T-Model. The fret carries structural elements of the car's frame and lattice work — precisely the parts that on the prototype consist of thin, open profiles and that have to be thickened when moulded in plastic.

Replacing those areas with parts made from thin metal sheet changes the way the finished model reads: the lattice gains realistic thickness and sharp edges, and the whole frame takes on the lightness of the riveted and welded prototype. The set is aimed at modellers who want to raise the level of detail on their flatcar before placing a heavy tank on its deck in a diorama.

What's in the box:

• Photo-etched fret with structural elements of the Ssyms frame and lattice work

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: TK35001
• Manufacturer: T-Model
• Intended for: T-Model 1:35 models of the 80 ton Ssyms flatcar
• Type: photo-etched detail set
• Material: photo-etched metal fret

Photo-etched parts – thin, delicate detail beyond injection moulding

Photo-etched parts are made by chemically etching a thin metal sheet, usually brass or stainless steel. The pattern is exposed onto a light-sensitive coating and the acid removes the metal outside the outlines of the parts. The result is detail a fraction of a millimetre thick — lattice work, walkways, steps, grab handles, brackets and mesh — components that would have to be considerably thickened to be moulded in plastic at all.

Preparation starts with separating the parts from the fret. A modelling knife used on a hard surface such as a piece of glass or a metal plate works well here: the part stays flat and the attachment tab comes off cleanly. The remaining stub can be smoothed with a fine file or high-grit sanding paper.

For bending, a photo-etch bending tool is convenient, though simple folds can be made with a metal ruler and a razor blade pressed along the fold line — many parts carry etched half-depth grooves that help produce an even edge. For assembly we suggest cyanoacrylate glue applied sparingly, for example with a sharpened toothpick; modellers with soldering experience may prefer to solder larger structural assemblies for a very strong joint. Degreasing the metal and using a primer with good adhesion to metal before painting is worth considering.

About the prototype – Schwerer Plattformwagen Ssyms:

The Ssyms was a six-axle heavy flatcar of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, riding on two three-axle bogies and designed for loads beyond the capacity of ordinary four-axle flatcars. In practice it became the standard means of moving German heavy tanks by rail, carrying the Tiger I, Tiger II, Panther, Ferdinand/Elefant tank destroyers and the Sturmtiger.

Loading a Tiger I called for a separate procedure: the tank was fitted with narrow transport tracks and the outer row of road wheels was removed so that it fitted within the railway loading gauge. Only after arriving at the unloading point did the crew refit the wide combat tracks and complete the running gear. This distinctive transport configuration is one of the most frequently modelled subjects in railway dioramas featuring German armour.

With a capacity of 80 tons and running on standard 1435 mm gauge track, the Ssyms could be used across the entire continental rail network, which is why it appears in scenes from virtually every front where the German heavy tank battalions fought.

Prototype specifications (Ssyms):

• Type: heavy flatcar (Schwerer Plattformwagen)
• Operator: Deutsche Reichsbahn
• Axle arrangement: six axles, two three-axle bogies
• Capacity: 80 t
• Track gauge: standard, 1435 mm
• Typical loads: Tiger I, Tiger II, Panther, Ferdinand/Elefant, Sturmtiger

About the manufacturer – T-Model:

T-Model is a Chinese manufacturer of scale models and modelling accessories based in Beijing. The brand is known mainly for 1:72 and 1:35 subjects covering modern American vehicles and German World War II railway rolling stock. Its range includes plastic kits as well as accessories: photo-etched sets, thin wooden decks, masks and decals. This makes it possible to buy both a railway car and its upgrades within a single brand.