Panzer 35(t)

History, Design, and Operational Use of the LT vz. 35/PzKpfw 35(t)

By Jacek Zabielski

The Czech LT vz 35 (which in German service was known as the PzKpfw 35(t)) was the precursor to the prolific PzKpfw 38(t). This less refined version had similar appearance and a main weapon of the same caliber, but was smaller, less mechanically reliable, and had a less effective transmission than it’s later sibling the 38(t). Nonetheless, the 35(t) was deployed by the Czech Army prior to the country’s fall, and captured examples were used by Germany in Poland, France, and the Soviet Union.

The platform was removed from front line German service in 1941, but that wasn’t the end of the 35(t)’s combat career. Some examples were transferred to the German client state of Slovakia, which us used them in combat against Hungary and later Russia. Other examples captured by the Germans were later used by Bulgaria in their war against Russia. Separately, Romania had directly purchased tanks from Czechoslovakia and used those against Russia as well.

This excellent book gives an in-depth view of the design, development and deployment of the LT vz. 35. It is chock full of photos, illustrating with line drawings and photos of everything from interiors to testing grounds to combat. The author provides extensive information about order of battle when deployed by Germany, and describes the vehicle’s combat actions throughout its history. The appendixes even include a complete listing of every chassis by serial number with the first, second, and third nations using the vehicle!

As one would expect, the photos provide excellent references: for exterior details, interiors for scratchbuilders, for stowage detailing, and for dioramas. Strongly recommend for anyone with historical interest in the subject, and for modelers hunting for details and ideas!

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Casemate Publishing for this review book.

Reviewed by David Morris

If you liked this review, consider joining AMPS. Your annual membership
includes six copies of AMPS's magazine, Boresight,
and helps to support our ongoing reviews.

Click here for more information about joining AMPS