Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) In Action

By Charles K. Kliment & Hilary Doyle

Squadron/Signal Armor No. 19

Originally developed in Czechoslovakia as the LT vz. 38 light tank, the vehicle became one of Germany’s most reliable early-war tanks after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. Renamed the Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), the vehicle served extensively during the invasions of Poland, France, and the Soviet Union.

The Panzer 38(t) became especially respected because of:

• Excellent mechanical reliability

• Good mobility

• Rugged suspension

• Strong early-war combat effectiveness

• Adaptability into numerous specialized vehicles

Kliment and Doyle’s In Action volume focuses heavily on:

• Development history

• Early-war combat operations

• Ausf. A through G variants

• Camouflage and markings

• Wartime photography

• Variant development

• Marder III derivatives

• Grille self-propelled guns

• Hetzer-related development

• Reconnaissance and command variants

The book is especially valuable for modelers building:

• Tamiya Panzer 38(t)

• Dragon 38(t) variants

• Tristar 38(t)

• Marder III tank destroyers

• Grille self-propelled guns

• Early-war Blitzkrieg dioramas

Modelers and reviewers consistently praise:

• Excellent wartime photo collection

• Strong variant identification coverage

• Useful camouflage references

• Helpful production-change information

• Excellent inspiration for weathering

• Good historical summaries

Modeling Madness described the book as:

IPMS/USA specifically praised the book’s:

• Extensive black-and-white photography

• Variant coverage

• Camouflage discussions

• Coverage of derivative vehicles

The book contains:

• Approximately 50 pages

• 86+ wartime photographs

• Color profile artwork

• Squadron/Signal “In Action” layout

The Panzer 38(t) itself remains historically important because:

• Over 1,400 were produced

• The chassis became the basis for multiple German AFVs

• The vehicle gained a reputation for reliability

• The chassis evolved into the Hetzer and Marder III families

Modelers frequently mention the book’s usefulness for:

• Early Panzer Gray weathering

• Eastern Front mud effects

• Riveted armor detailing

• Interior hatch detailing

• Marder III conversions

• Blitzkrieg-era markings

Collectors also note:

• Original Squadron editions are preferred

• Workshop-used copies often show spine wear

• Early printings generally have better photo contrast

• Clean copies are becoming increasingly collectible

Recommended Skill Level

Beginner to Advanced WWII armor historians and modelers

Features

• Squadron/Signal Armor In Action Series No. 19

• Written by Charles K. Kliment & Hilary Doyle

• Wartime photo coverage

• Variant identification references

• Camouflage and markings references

• Marder and Grille derivative coverage

• WWII operational history

• Excellent modeling inspiration

• Compact workshop-friendly format

For many WWII armor modelers, Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) In Action remains one of the most useful compact references because it combines wartime photography, variant history, and practical modeling inspiration in a very accessible format.