Cromwell Models

15cm E-100 IR up-armoured 1946/47
12.8 cm E-100 IR 1946

These are a related set of "What If - Paper Panzers" produced by Cromwell in their 1/72 scale "Combat Ready" range. This range is aimed at the modeler with little time to assemble kits, but who is also not willing to sacrifice too much on detail either. In this regard, you can consider these models as resin "Quick Build" kits.

Both kits are based on the hull of the proposed version of the E-100 series 100 ton tank.

• Kit 72126: 15cm E-100 IR up-armoured 1946/47 (22 parts)
• Kit 72137: 12.8 cm E-100 IR 1946 (23 parts)

These kits represent proposed versions of the E-100, a vehicle that never existed. The various versions are based on possible existing drawings and/or pure speculative fantasy on the part of the designer of the kit masters.

• The models are cast in grey resin
• There is no instruction manual or painting guide
• The models are simple to build but will need much reworking to bring them to an acceptable level for display or contest purposes
• There are no decals
• There are no tools

The hull is cast as one single piece and the casting is upside down leaving the plug on the bottom of the hull. The upper side and sidewalls are without air bubbles or flash. Note that the sidewalls are not rounded as the early version of the E-100 but now sloped to conform with the E-10 and E-25.

The underside (casting side) of the hull and the tracks are the weak point of the model. The underside of the hull has numerous air bubbles and on the tracks there are casting blocs. It will be necessary to delete the casting blocs and to rework the belly of the body.

On these kits the track units have separately cast outer wheels. This is a much better solution and will give a better end result.

The hatches on hull and turret are open. The other separate parts are well cast.

In my example of kit 72126 the IR searchlight unit was missed.

The lack of a construction manual is not a problem. With so few parts the model out-of-the-box is very easy and quickly built. For a display model you will need to do a lot more work. First the track units need to have the flash removed. The large number of air bubbles will need filling, some parts should be reworked, and more detail should be added, such as tools, cables and tow loops. For the missing tools and so forth, you will have to purchase some from another source, scavenge from your spare box, or do some scratch building, as can be seen in my inprogress construction pictures below. Regarding the turrets, all of them are nicely cast and are simple to put together.

These are easy models for the wargamer, members of the wargame "World of Tanks", and for collectors that are interested in German "What If - Paper Panzer" vehicles. For those who want a display model, a lot more effort will be needed during construction to make an acceptable model.

Review samples supplied by Gordon Brown of Cromwell Models.

Kit 72126: 15cm E-100 IR up-armoured 1946/47
Parts	Turret & Hull Upperside	Turret & Hull Underside	Tracks
Assembled Parts
Kit 72137: 12.8 cm E-100 IR 1946
Parts	Turret & Hull Upperside	Turret & Hull Upperside	Tracks, Wheels & Gun
Assembled Parts

Article Last Updated: 15 April 2013