Dragon 1/35 PzKpfw IV Ausf B mit Scheeraumer System Schmidt

 Panzer IV is the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the late 1930s by Germany and used extensively in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen IV (abbreviated PzKpfw IV) and the tank also had the ordnance inventory designation SdKfz 161.

It was initially designed as an infantry-support medium tank (Begleitwagen, mittlerer Panzer), to work in conjunction with the Panzer III which was intended to engage enemy tanks. Later in the war it was up-gunned and up-armored and took over the tank-fighting role while Panzer IIIs were either put into infantry support duties or converted into other vehicles. The Panzer IV was the most common German tank of World War II, and was used as the base for many other fighting vehicles, such as tank destroyers and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. The Panzer IV was the workhorse of the German tank corps, being produced and used in all theatres of combat throughout the war. The design was upgraded repeatedly to deal with the increasing threats from enemy forces. The Panzer IV has the distinction of being the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout all of World War II, with over 8,500 produced from 1937 to 1945.

THE KIT

Adding to their growing catalogue of Panzer IV variants is this one with a very long German name that is basically a snow plow. Pretty much anything new to this kit is the snow plow sprues. The kit has the excellent Magic Track system of individual track links that, along with three photo etch frets and two sets of metal parts (that includes an aluminum barrel), boosts the parts count to over 1,000 pieces. This may be a high for a tank kit from Dragon.

Much of the photo etch is used for small brackets along with the engine intake grille at the back of the tank. A set is also used for the rear sprocket to provide the fineness of the real thing. As usual, hatches can be posed open or closed and detail is provided for the hatch interior. Below is a full list of features from Dragon:

- Newly tooled Schneeräumer System Schmidt produced by multiple parts
- Newly designed Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf.B mit Schneeräumer System Schmidt
- Bonus set of fenders w/o locating holes to preserve fender details and offer more customization potential
- Bonus aluminum barrel
- Mounting ladder and track tools produced by photo-etched metal
- Beautifully detailed Kwk 37 L/24 gun w/early antenna deflector
- Slide-molded coaxial MG w/hollow muzzle
- Correct basket for spent ammo cases
- Includes the hollowed-out undercut on the turret bottom
- 5-directional slide-molded commander's cupola authentically recreates structural details
- Commander's hatch w/interior detail
- Clear parts for vision port armored glass
- Vision port w/open or closed option
- Cupola hatches can be assembled open or closed
- Direct sighting post can be made from supplied photo-etched parts
- Signal ports and ventilation hatch cover can be modeled open/closed
- Turret turntable included
- Accurate weld seams on turret
- Mantlet guard can be removed and gun fitted like real vehicle
- Detailed gun muzzle
- Accurate rifling inside gun barrel
- Includes the hollowed-out undercut on the turret bottom
- Side hatches can be assembled open/closed w/interior details
- Hatch hinges allow hatches to realistically swing open
- Driver's hatch and radio operator's hatch w/interior detail and external rubber bump stops
- Hatches and driver's vision port can be assembled open/closed
- Commander's, loader's and gunner's seats included
- Turntable w/accurate floor pattern
- Driver's interior periscope assembly in fine detail
- Front superstructure plate rendered w/details
- Ausf.B engine deck w/round hatch locks
- Hull bottom formed by multiple parts for greater details
- Fuel filler hatch can be assembled open/closed
- Exhaust pipe w/fine detail
- Engine starter crank port w/photo-etched smoke dischargers chains
- Towing eye brackets in extreme detail w/numerous separate parts
- Chain on towing eye brackets made from photo-etched parts
- Muffler made in multiple parts for greater detail
- Separate front and rear fenders can be posed in a folded-back position
- Idler adjuster mountings have the most accurate details possible w/gear inside
- Realistic parting line on rubber rims
- Rubber rims on wheels have accurate width
- Realistically designed road wheels and hubcaps
- Suspension armored covers come as separate parts
- Correctly detailed idler wheels w/numerous separate parts
- Astoundingly delicate slide-molded and photo-etched parts
- Realistic suspension w/multiple components
- Metal wire for lamp electrical wining
- Hooks for tow rope made w/preformed brass rod
- Slide-molded track links w/authentic central guide horns
- Both left and right tracks accurately modeled
- Injected fenders are made to the thinnest possible dimensions
- Side fenders w/pattern detail on both top and bottom surfaces
- Final-drive housing w/details on both sides
- Sprocket wheels w/breathtaking details are produced by multiple parts
- Additional bolts molded on
- Separate armored cover for final-drive housing
- Road wheels exhibit extreme detail w/separate rubber rims and hubs
- Brass ammo rounds
- Early-style jerry cans w/photo-etched parts
- Both injection-molded on-vehicle tools w/clasps and w/o clasps included
- Extendable jack w/separate parts
- Headlights with clear parts inside
- Tow cable heads have hollow ends courtesy of slide molds
- Accurately designed transmission and steering brake access hatches can be modeled open/closed
- Fans and coupling modeled in several parts to provide interior detail

Markings are provided for three panzer grey vehicles. One is the box art vehicle from an unidentified unit in 1939 and is the only option with the plow. The other two are #800 from the 8/PzRgt1, 1PzDiv in Poland during 1939 and the other is #422 from the 4/Pz Rgt1 in France in 1940.

Many armor modelers like the early war vehicles from all sides of the conflict and this one is a great addition to that collection. The snow plow just makes it that much more interesting a vehicle.

February 2013