1/35 Hetzer Mid + Late ‘Saukopf’ Mantlet Correction (Short Type)/for Academy kits

The Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer was one of the most successful and widespread light tank fighters deployed by the Wehrmacht in the final phase of WW2. World War II. It was developed in response to the need for a cheap, quick-to-produce, yet effective anti-tank vehicle at a time when Germany faced material and production superiority to the Allies. The design was based on the proven chassis of the Czechoslovak LT-38 tank, which was well known in German service and whose production continued at the ČKD (Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik) plant in Prague after the occupation. The Hetzer was armed with a 75mm Pak 39 L/48 anti-tank gun, which could effectively engage even heavier Allied tanks, and theits low profile and sloping armour offered good protection for the crew with the relatively small size of the vehicle.

During production, the Hetzer underwent various modifications to both its technical details and external appearance. One of the most striking changes was the introduction of a new type of armoured barrel cover, popularly known as the "Saukopf" (pig's head) because of its characteristic rounded shape. This cover replaced the original conical mantlet and came in two main variants - short and long. The short version, which this CMK set brings, was typical of the middle and late production series and featured a more compact profile. The change to the mantlet was not just aesthetic - it improved the protection of the barrel mechanism while making production easier. For modelers who want to build a historically accurate model of a particular Hetzer production series, the correct type of mantlet is a key detail.

Academy kits are among the more affordable and popular 1:35 scale Hetzer models, but their armored barrel covers are not always completely accurate in shape or proportion. CMK therefore offers this resin add-on set, which replaces the original plastic part with a more accurate casting that matches the actual model. Resin (polyurethane resin) allows you to capture finer details and sharper edges than regular injection molded plastic, which you will especially appreciate when painting and highlighting surface textures. Installation requires removing the original Academy kit mantlet and gluing on a new resin part - a standard procedure for additional kits and does not require advanced modelling skills, just basic work with a file, sandpaper and instant glue or epoxy.

The set is suitable for modelers who want to improve the details of their model and achieve higher historical accuracy, whether for displaynew presentation, or as part of a diorama depicting the defensive battles on the Eastern or Western Front in 1944-1945. The Hetzer was employed on all fronts in the final phase of the war and its distinctive silhouette with its low profile and sloping armour is easily recognisable. The package does not include the paint or adhesives needed for assembly.