German A7V Tank (Krupp). MENG TS-017

Assembly plastic kit of a German A7V Tank (Krupp) . Includes more than 700 pieces, with several photo-etched parts. The model perfectly replicates the fighting compartment and driver’s compartment; workable track links are provided.

When German Army still depended on their machine guns and cannons, they were given a heavy blow by the British Mark I tanks in the Battle of Somme. After that, Germany started development of its own tanks. After several setbacks, Germany's first tank, the A7V tank, was put into service in early 1918. The square-shaped tank was like a moving fortress when seen distantly and was greatly different from later tanks. Although normally the crew was 16 to 18 men, sometimes up to 26 were carried. Thus, A7V became the tank that carried the most men in the world. It adopted an improved Holt tractor chassis, and two 100hp Daimler 4-cylinder water-cooled petrol engines. Its armament was a 57mm Maxim-Nordenfelt QF gun and six Maxim MG-08 7.92mm heavy machine guns. The early A7Vs were produced by Krupp Corp and Röchling Group. As the A7V side armor plates made by Krupp Corp were slightly deformed and Germany was in short of resources during the wartime, these plates were cut into five parts and then built together. Therefore, these early side armor plates made by Krupp Corp were not standard one-piece ones.