The Panzer IV was the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout the course of WWII. The final version in the Pz.Kpfw. IV family was the Ausf.J This particular variant commenced production in June 1944, and a total of approximately 3125 were eventually manufactured. The Ausf.J succeeded the Ausf.H, and rather than being an enhanced version of the Ausf.H, the final design was actually simplified in an attempt to ease and speed up construction. Thus, the electric turret drive was deleted and an extra fuel tank was fitted in its place. Other distinguishing features include the absence of Zimmerit.
Dragon has produced a Mid-Production variant of the Panzer IV Ausf.J in 1/35 scale. This plastic Smart Kit offers some special features of this period of Pz.Kpfw.IV production, including the use of solid steel Schurzen plates prior to Thoma-type wire-mesh side-skirts being introduced. For maximum modeler enjoyment, Dragon supplies these Schurzen plates as separate pieces made from metal, thus allowing complete realism.
The kit offers two different turret-top ventilation covers for greater versatility. Two newly tooled flame-suppressing exhaust mufflers are also supplied for the rear of the tank. The running gear continues to feature four return rollers, for these were only reduced to three at a later stage. Details on this kit are finely detailed, the product of widespread use of slide molds. To complete the model, 40cm Magic Tracks are supplied. Various photo-etched metal components are included, things such as engine ventilation grills, and mesh for the turret baskets. This kit offers modelers the convenience of producing a typical Mid-Production Ausf.J tank without having to resort to kit-bashing or extensive conversion.
Features
- Side-skirt armor plates can be installed separately
- Side-skirt armor produced in metal for scale thickness
- One-piece 3-directional slide-molded turret for Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J
- Mantlet guard can be removed and gun unloaded as on real vehicle
- Detailed gun muzzle brake
- Complete gun assembly w/full detail
- Finely detailed 7.5cm Kw.K. 40 L/48 gun
- Gun sleeve w/delicate weld and bolt detail made from 3-directional slide molds
- New turret roof rendered w/turret-skirt armor brackets
- Turret-skirt and side-skirt armor plates can be installed separately
- Rear antenna included
- Newly tooled exhaust pipe on the hull rear
- Includes hollowed-out undercut on turret bottom
- Incorporates toothed turret ring inside turret
- Two types of driver's and radio operator's hatch w/splash guard
- Hatches w/internal detail
- Spare-wheel rack w/spare wheels on upper hull side
- Two types of side-skirt armor plate w/bolt detail
- Brackets for side-skirt armor realistically detailed
- Turret-skirt door can be postioned open/closed
- Optional turret-side door can be positioned open/closed
- Side fenders w/pattern detail on both top and bottom surfaces
- Injection-molded fenders made to thinnest possible dimensions
- Two types of ventilation cover w/great detail
- Newly tooled storage mesh on turret side
- Commander's cupola recreates structural details
- Cupola vision blocks can be assembled open/closed
- One-piece lower hull made from slide molds
- Hull bottom fully detailed
- One-piece upper hull 2-side slide-molded w/new engine-deck design
- MG34 in Gen2 standard w/gun mount
- Two types of engine hatches can be assembled open/closed
- Spare-track bracket on lower hull front
- Spare-tracks on armor side
- New OVM arrangement on fenders
- Spare-track bracket on glacis plate w/photo-etched and plastic option
- Final-drive housing w/details on both sides
- Separate armored cover for final-drive housing
- Sprocket wheels w/breathtaking detail and multiple delicate parts
- Newly tooled fuel filler flap
- Extendable jack w/separate parts
- Accurately detailed idler adjuster mountings
- Detailed towing-eye brackets w/separate parts
- Road wheels and suspension w/multiple components exhibit crisp detail
- Idler wheels have detailed parts
- Injection-molded OVM w/clasps
