The ICM 1/35 scale SdKfz 3b with Flak 38 plastic model kit is a new addition to the company’s Maultier half-track family, first introduced in 2012. This variant pairs the original chassis and running gear with the V3000S cab and Flak 38 to create the Truppenluftschutzwagen — a mobile anti-aircraft platform.
The kit’s 20-page instruction book covers 89 steps. The chassis ladder frame requires careful alignment, as vague location points can cause problems later on. Make sure the frame is level and square, or you will encounter significant trouble adding the remaining components. The kit comes with a nicely detailed motor, but it’s hidden after the cab is installed. The delicate suspension exercised my patience and required attention while building. On the other hand, the link-and-length tracks fit well.
The cab has a basic interior, and despite complex seams, the hood and cab assembled smoothly. The bed side panels can be posed up or down, depending on whether you want the gun prepped for action. In my sample, the left and right side panels were slightly warped, so I posed them up to keep them from appearing to defy gravity. The Flak 38 gun dates from 2024 and builds easily, with sharp details. It can be posed stowed or ready for combat. Due to the limitations of plastic molding, I’d replace the muzzle flash suppressor with an aftermarket part if I were to build this kit again.
I painted the main subassemblies — chassis and running gear, cab, bed, and gun — separately using Tamiya colors. While the instructions show a standard three-tone camo, I opted for a worn winter whitewash using the hairspray technique. I first painted the vehicle a dark yellow and let that dry for 24 hours before applying a gloss coat. After another day, I coated the model with aerosol hairspray, let it dry for 30 minutes, and airbrushed a white acrylic top coat. After 15 minutes, I used a variety of brushes and water to chip the whitewash.
I left the back of the cab off to install clear parts after painting, avoiding the need to mask. After sealing it up, I attached the cab, bed, and gun to complete the build. Decals were minimal — I used the instrument panel dials and front and rear license plates, but skipped the kill rings for the gun barrel. A burnt sienna artist-oil wash added a subtle, dirty finish to tie it all together.
The ICM 1/35 scale SdKfz 3b with Flak 38 plastic model kit was a mixed bag. The older chassis, suspension, and running gear posed some challenges, while the newer cab and Flak 38 components were well-designed and enjoyable to build. I spent about 18 hours on construction and another eight hours painting and weathering. Due to the difficulty of the older parts, I would recommend this kit for intermediate and advanced modelers.
Photos by Kyle Nelson