Tamiya 35237 - 1:35 Mobelwagen 3.7cm Flak 43

Plastic model kit of the Möbelwagen 3.7 cm Flak 43 anti-aircraft tank in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35237 depicts the Möbelwagen – a German anti-aircraft tank built on the Pz.Kpfw.IV chassis. A 3.7 cm Flak 43 gun, shielded by tall folding armour plates, was mounted on the platform. Folded down, the plates allowed all-round fire; raised, they protected the crew on the march. Its characteristic boxy shape earned the vehicle the nickname 'furniture van'.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, platform and running-gear parts
• 3.7 cm Flak 43 gun and folding armoured sides
• Reproduced road wheels and tracks
• Decal sheet and illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35237
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 169 mm
• Skill level: intermediate

Note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

As a Tamiya-tooled kit it features good parts fit. The folding sides can be depicted raised or lowered – it is worth deciding before assembly. It is best to paint the gun position in stages; emphasise the final result with a wash, dry-brushing and weathering.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Panel-line wash to emphasise detail, plus dry-brushing
• Pigments and paints for weathering effects (mud, dust, rust)

About the vehicle – Möbelwagen 3.7 cm Flak 43:

As Allied air superiority grew, the German armoured forces needed mobile anti-aircraft defence. The Möbelwagen was created by mounting a 3.7 cm Flak 43 gun on the Pz.Kpfw.IV chassis, with folding armour plates shielding the crew. These vehicles entered service in 1944.

Original vehicle specifications:

• Length: approx. 5.9 m
• Width: approx. 2.9 m
• Height: approx. 2.7 m
• Combat weight: approx. 25 t
• Powerplant: Maybach HL120 petrol engine (V12), approx. 300 hp
• Max speed: approx. 38 km/h
• Armament: 3.7 cm Flak 43 gun; machine gun
• Crew: 6
• Feature: folding armoured sides around the gun position

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of Japan's model-making industry. It launched its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960 and soon set a global benchmark for quality thanks to precise tooling and excellent parts fit. The 1:35 Military Miniature series is one of the most highly regarded military model lines in the world. Beyond plastic kits in many scales, the company offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Tamiya operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.