The Pz.Kpfw IV, or Sd.Kfz 161 Panzerkampfwagen IV, was probably the most widely used German tank of World War Two, serving in one form or another from the thrust into Poland till the fall of Berlin. When it outlived it’s usefulness as a tank it’s platform became a myriad of other vehicles, and the Ausf. H with it’s 75mm KwK 40 L48 gun was the match of any of its opponents.
This kit from Tamiya represents an early model Ausf. H which entered production in mid 1943. It consists on six dark yellow sprues and the hull tub, also moulded in the same dark yellow, together with a sheet of decals, two single length vinyl tracks, a piece of string for making the tow cables and the instructions. All coming in the usual large Tamiya tray and lid style box. This kit shouldn’t be confused with Tamiya’s older Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H kit ( kit number 35054 ) as this is different and newer model. You get some options when building, and as such a number of spares left over at the end, so care must be taken when following the instructions and you should decide before you start if you want to build the “Early Version” of the “Standard Version”.
The moulding is, as we have come to expect from Tamiya, very good with no flash and only minimal clean up of faint mould seams. Detail is sharp though as is often the case with Tamiya kits the smaller details are often simplified and moulded as part of larger pieces rather than as individual parts. This makes for quick and easy assembly from a lower part count, but also for a kit that can be lacking in the fine details. The inclusion of the string for making the tow cable is a nice touch, though I find common string doesn’t represent the tow cables as well as picture frame wire. But it’s still a nice touch.
The lower chassis is a single piece tub with nicely detailed but somewhat simple parts, each suspension section being moulded as one complete unit. There are two options for the sprocket, one pair being a cast version with solid spokes suitable for an initial version, the other pair being welded with open spokes suitable for the early version. There is also the option to add the extra bolt on armour plate on the rear to make the early version. The roadwheels, idlers and return rollers are each made up of the two main wheels with the roadwheels also having a separate hub each. The tracks are single length vinyl “rubber band” style tracks which are a little dull in the detailing but othewise fine.
With the upper hull there is also the option to add the extra bolt on armour to the face plate surrounding the drivers vision block and hull machine gun ball. The mating of the upper and lower hull suffers from a common Tamiya problem, open sponsons, not a big problem as it’s only visible looking from underneath, but it’s there none-the-less. The driver’s and radio operator’s hatches are separate and can be positioned open though there is only basic interior detailing on the hatches and no interior in the hull. The engine hatch and transmission access hatches can also be modelled open but again there is no engine, no transmission, or any other kind of interior detail. The tools have moulded on clamps which could do with being replaced. The cables as mentioned are made up using a supplied length of string which is better than plastic moulded ones.
The Schurzen rails are the later style triangular mounts but are okay for this model. They are a little thick and heavy, as are the mounting frames, the mounting hooks, and the Schurzen plates themselves. The Schuzen are also moulded as one full piece per side rather than as individual panels, though it would be easy enough to separate them, or indeed to replace them with thin sheet plasticard which would be more to scale thickness.
The turret is well made and looks good. The side hatches have a separate frame with the hinges and separate doors which can be posed open, though again there is no interior detail other than the gun breech and the commander’s seat. The cupola has a fair ammount of detail with separate vision blocks and both the commander’s hatch and side hatches have good interior detail including the head pad on the commander’s hatch.
The turret Schurzen suffers from the same problem as the hull schurzen, being overly thick compared to what it should be in 1/35, and the mounts being a bit heavy. The side hatches in the turret schurzen are moulded as one piece per side, though it wouldn’t be too hard to separate them if you wanted them positioned open, though you would then need to add hinge detail.
The gun is moulded as two halves with a separate muzzle brake, though that is also in two halves which somewhat defeats the point of having it separate. It comes with quite a nice breech which includes the empty brass basket. An MG34 on an anti-aircraft mounting is included though it gets no ammo drum or bag.
The two figures included are a commander figure wearing winter gear and the soft peaked cap, the other figure wears the traditional Heer Panzer wrap and trousers, an overseas cap and gloves. The moulding detail is very good with particularly nice faces. They measure out at 50-51mm which is a huge improvement over older Tamiya figures as that puts them at around 175-178cm or 5’9″-5’10″.
Decals and painting guides are provided for four vehicle options – 20th Panzer Division, Russia, Summer 1943 : 2nd Panzer Division, 3rd Panzer Regiment, Russia, Summer 1943 : 4th Panzer Division, 35th Panzer Regiment, Russia, Autumn 1943 : 24th Panzer Division, 24th Panzer Regiment, Northern Italy, Autumn 1943.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in detail then the just released Dragon kit is the one to go for, or alternately there is also a very good “Jumbo” set available from Voyager that will dress this up beautifully. But this kit at half the price of the Dragon version is still avery good choice if you just want a quick and simple build of a Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf. H that still looks very good when complete, because this kit does still make up into a very nice model.
Click thumbnails to enlarge images.
