Tamiya 35099 - 1:35 Flakpanzer Gepard

Plastic model kit of the German Flakpanzer Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun in 1:35 scale

The Gepard combines two things that rarely go together: the weight and armour of a main battle tank and the precision of a radar-directed air defence system. Tamiya 35099 reproduces this Bundeswehr vehicle in 1:35 scale, using 1977 tooling and representing the configuration of the late 1970s.

The kit captures the broad turret with its side-mounted 35 mm cannons, the search radar at the rear of the turret and the tracking radar at the front, along with the sloped Leopard 1 hull and its torsion bar suspension. The radar rotates once assembled and the gun barrels can be raised and lowered, allowing the finished model to be displayed in a combat-ready pose.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and running gear parts
• Two 35 mm cannons with movable barrels
• Radar antennas — the radar rotates once assembled
• Vinyl band tracks
• One figure
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35099
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 219 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. This is a kit for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The build is straightforward and needs no previous experience, and the vinyl band tracks considerably shorten the work on the running gear. The radar antennas and gun barrels deserve the most attention — they are the most visible parts, so cleaning up the gate marks carefully makes a clear difference to the finished model. The rotating radar and movable barrels let you present the vehicle at combat readiness.

Bundeswehr vehicles of this period wore a uniform yellow-olive finish (Gelboliv); a close match can be mixed from the Tamiya range, for example XF-62. Applying the decals over a gloss coat helps avoid silvering, and a matt varnish makes a good final finish. A wash brings out the hatches, weld seams and engine grilles, while pigments can suggest dust on the tracks.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out detail
• Optional: weathering pigments for dust

About the vehicle – Flakpanzer Gepard:

The Flakpanzer Gepard was developed in response to the growing threat from ground-attack aircraft and helicopters operating at low altitude. The Bundeswehr needed a vehicle able to keep up with armoured columns and to detect and engage targets on its own — hence the choice of the Leopard 1 chassis and a turret carrying a full radar suite.

Its armament consists of two 35 mm Oerlikon cannons mounted on either side of the turret. The search radar detects targets at a range of several kilometres while the tracking radar feeds the fire control system, allowing the vehicle to open fire within seconds of detecting a threat. The Gepard was regarded as one of the most effective short-range air defence systems of its era and served with the Bundeswehr and several other armies for decades.

Original vehicle specifications (Flakpanzer Gepard):

• Type: self-propelled anti-aircraft gun on the Leopard 1 chassis
• Armament: two 35 mm Oerlikon cannons
• Equipment: search radar and tracking radar with fire control system
• Crew: 3
• Combat weight: approx. 47 t
• Powerplant: MTU diesel engine, approx. 830 hp
• Top speed: approx. 65 km/h
• Role: short-range air defence of armoured columns
• Service: Bundeswehr, from the 1970s

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company started out in the timber trade and made wooden models, releasing its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the world standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise tooling and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases covering vehicles, artillery and figures. Tamiya instructions are clear and well illustrated, with painting guides referenced to the company's own paint range. Besides kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.