FineScale Modeler – October 2019

http://www.FineScale.com 57

J

ust as the German army updated the

Ferdinand tank destroyer based on

experiences from the Battle of Kursk,

Zvezda has updated its 1/35 scale

Ferdinand to produce the Elefant. New in

this kit are a bow machine gun, command-

er’s cupola, and Zimmerit provided here as

decals. Other kit features include clear

vision blocks: a one-piece gun barrel; pos-

able hatches; link-and-length tracks; and

markings for two vehicles.

The chassis builds from several parts.

Gaps showed up at each side of the upper

transmission piece, but the fenders covered

them. The road wheels come in two styles,

so be careful to get the correct ones in the

right places. I painted and weathered the

lower hull along with the road wheels.

Each track run came up about half a

link short and the drive and idler sprockets

are locked in place with pins so the fits can’t

be adjusted to compensate. I suggest

removing the locator pins from the rear

sprockets and leaving them loose until the

tracks are fitted.

Instructions indicate applying the

Zimmerit decal at this time before paint-

ing. The relief of the 3D decals was appar-

ent on the sheet, but it relaxed after being

applied to the model and are hard to see. I

also had trouble with the sections lifting

after painting; applying them to primed

plastic might alleviate that problem.

I added the hull top next and installed

the engine grilles. Separate posable hatches

for the driver and bow gunner make it easy

to add aftermarket figures. The clear plastic

periscopes resisted paint.

I assembled the main gun breech and

attached it to the casemate, which is made

up of six plates that fit well. Periscopes and

their hatches, and the commander’s cupola,

came next. Note: If you pose the periscope

hatches closed, omit the clear parts.

The main gun consists of a solid barrel

and a three-part muzzle brake. Optional

parts allow for the gun to be posed in the

travel lock or ready for battle.

After painting with Tamiya acrylics and

weathering supplies, I added decals for an

Elefant in Rome in summer 1944. The

other marking option is a vehicle captured

by the Allies in Italy in July 1944.

I spent 31 hours building my Elefant. If

you are looking for an easy Elefant, espe-

cially for a diorama, Zvezda’s kit would be a

good choice.

• Tom Foti

Zvezda Elefant

Kit: No. 3659 Scale: 1/35

Mfr.: Zvezda, zvezda.org.ru Price: $54.99

Comments: Injection-molded, 292 parts,

decals, Zimmerit decals Pros: Simple,

straightforward build; relatively low parts

count Cons: Fit issues with tracks;

Zimmerit relief too shallow

sanded them smooth, there were no defined
rims to mask along. I covered the windows
with clear frosty tape and hand-cut around
each with a sharp blade. I wish Amodel had
provided window decals.
However, the kit’s decals went on per-
fectly, including the black-bordered gold
cheatline, over multiple coats of Pledge
Floor Gloss. Before applying them, I added
a coat of Microscale Liquid Decal Film to
the kit’s beautiful decal sheet to make each
item easier to handle.
Attaching the 14 tiny photoetched static
dischargers to the trailing edges of the wing
and tail tips was the final task.
Spiffy and streamlined, the finished
model looks the part of a VIP transport. I
spent 34 hours on the model, more than
usual due to the struggles with the
window and external
details.

• Paul Boyer