HR Model

Tancik Tc.Vz.33

Kit # 72523

Preview by Miro Baric - baricz(at)smallscaleafv.com
Edited by Rob Haelterman

Introduction
Tancik Tc.Vz.33 was the Czechoslovak answer to the new fashion wave of tankettes (tancik actually means tankette). 70 vehicles based on the Carden-Lloyd Mk VI tankette were produced in 1933 and 1934. The Czechoslovak Army soon realised that tankettes were the wrong way to go, and no more vehicles were ordered. After the occupation of the Czech territory, 40 Tc.Vz.33 were captured by the Germans and were used for training. The remaining 30 were used by the Slovak army, also for training. During the Slovak uprising against the Germans in 1944 some of the tankettes soldiered on as ammo carriers, guardians, tow-vehicles and even in their original role as recon vehicles.

Contents
As far as I know, this vehicle is produced only by the Czech company HR model. The hull is bubble-free, but unfortunately, it is also rivet-free. The real vehicle was covered by zillions of rivets and none of them is reproduced. Other parts are presented on resin carrier film. It will be quite difficult to clean them, especially the toothed drive sprockets. The most delicate parts are provided on a PE fret. Here you can find the tracks, cooling louvres, suspension leaf springs and various tools.
Instructions are very elaborate; one of the best I saw in a resin kit.
The vehicle is very small and with a lot of tiny parts it will be very difficult to assemble it. Therefore, this kit can be recommended only to those, who really want this tankette in their collection.

Markings
There are camouflage schemes for two Czechoslovak vehicles – one overall khaki from trials and one in a three color scheme.
Decals are provided for Czechoslovak, Slovak and German vehicles, but their placement is mentioned only in the text. License plates 13.421, 13.496 and 13.530 are for Czechoslovak tankettes, vehicle 13.480 was later used by the Slovak Army. There are also German crosses and Slovak double-crosses. However, as far as I know, no national markings were used on Slovak tankettes.
Note that the translation for Barva Pasu is "track color" rather than "truck color" as given in the instructions.

References
You can find some photos and plans on this Czech discussion forum:
http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=6279

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Article Last Updated: 02 March 2009