Tamiya 35392 - 1:35 German 5cm Anti-Tank Gun Pak38

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German 5 cm PaK 38 anti-tank gun

The 5 cm PaK 38 entered service in July 1940 as the successor to the 3.7 cm PaK 36, which had quickly proved helpless against more heavily armoured tanks. The new design, with its muzzle brake, light alloy trails and double-layer shield, gave gun crews a real fighting chance. Tamiya 35392 reproduces the weapon from tooling created in 2025.

The model can be built in firing position, with the trails spread, or in travelling position. Four figures depict the full crew: commander, gunner and two loaders, caught in action poses. Accessories complete the set: shells, spent cases and ammunition boxes that can be built with the lid open or closed, plus a shell taken out of its box.

Please note: no limber or tractor is included in the kit.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the gun and shield
• Four crew figures (commander, gunner, two loaders) in action poses
• Accessories: shells, spent cases, ammunition boxes (lid open or closed), a shell taken out of its box
• The gun can be built in firing or travelling position
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35392
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 142 mm
• Skill level: beginner (modest parts count, no tracks)

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

Building the model:

This is a small, quick build that also works well as part of a diorama. It is worth deciding before you start whether the gun will be shown in firing or travelling position, as this determines how the trails are assembled. We suggest painting the figures and accessories separately before arranging the final scene.

For painting we suggest the colours typical of German artillery of the period — dark Panzergrau (e.g. Tamiya XF-63 German Grey); Tamiya paint codes are given in the instructions. The shells and spent cases benefit from metallic paints. A matt varnish makes a suitable final finish, a wash brings out the detail, and pigments reproduce dust on the trails and wheels.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes (useful for the figures)
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the gun – 5 cm PaK 38:

The French campaign showed that the 3.7 cm PaK 36 could not cope with more heavily armoured tanks. The answer was the 5 cm PaK 38 L/60, which reached the troops in July 1940. The design featured a muzzle brake, light alloy trails and a double-layer protective shield.

The PzGr 39 armour-piercing round could penetrate about 61 mm of armour sloped at 60 degrees from 500 metres — enough to deal with most tanks of the day. Around 9,600 guns were produced up to 1943.

The PaK 38 made its combat debut in the Balkans in the spring of 1941, but its real test came on the Eastern Front, where it was the first German anti-tank gun that could genuinely threaten the T-34 and KV-1. It later served in North Africa and on the other fronts as well.

Original specifications (5 cm PaK 38 L/60):

• Calibre: 50 mm, barrel length L/60
• Design: muzzle brake, light alloy trails, double-layer shield
• Penetration: approx. 61 mm of armour sloped at 60 degrees from 500 m (PzGr 39 round)
• Entered service: July 1940
• Production: approx. 9,600 guns up to 1943
• Service: combat debut in the Balkans in spring 1941, then the Eastern Front and North Africa

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 business began in timber and wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first injection-moulded plastic kit. Two years later came the 1:35 tank that established the scale as a worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise moulds and outstanding parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles anywhere. Alongside kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.