Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E "Vorpanzer"
by Cookie Sewell
Summary
Stock Number and Description |
Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale ‘39-‘45
Series No. 6301; Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E "Vorpanzer" |
Scale: |
1/35 |
Media and Contents: |
1,099 parts (582 in grey styrene, 288
"Magic Track" links, 187 etched brass, 23 clear styrene, 10 preformed
steel wire, 4 preformed brass 2 turned brass, 1 turned aluminum, 2
twisted steel wire) |
Price: |
price estimated at US $41.50 |
Review Type: |
First Look |
Advantages: |
Another variant on the rarely modeled early
war Panzer; details both inside and out on most parts, including the
fenders, odd "assault armor" included |
Disadvantages: |
May be overlooked due to similarity with
recent "3-in-1" kit |
Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended for all German fans |
FirstLook
There are times when some of the
kits really tend to stump me, and this is one of them. While it has
some other history to relate, I must say I have never heard of Pzkw.
IV tanks fitted with "cheek" armor for close assault (which is what
the "Vorpanzer" or forward armor would seem to mean.) On the other
hand, this is another nice version of the Ausf. E variant. (I get
the feeling from the markings that they were actually "OPFOR"
vehicles designed to simulate Soviet tanks but that's just a wild
guess!)
The Pzkw. IV Ausf. E, which came out in September 1940 and was
produced through April 1941, was one of the first models to take
combat results into account. It was found early on that the Pzkw. IV
was too thin-skinned to stand up to anybody's antitank guns, and
with this tank it got an increase to 50mm on the bow plate and
20+30mm on the upper glacis, as well as a new visor for the driver
to give him more protection. Hatches were countersunk against
ricochet damage, and the turret rear was redesigned to incorporate
the redesigned commander's cupola and eliminate potential shot traps
or weak spots in the hull rear. Later, more applique armor
protection was added to the lower hull sides and suspension units to
protect against antitank guns and mines. A total of 206 chassis were
built – 200 as battle tanks, 4 as prototype bridge launchers, and
two more as experimental chassis. (I again admit I have no idea of
how many were fitted with the "cheek" armor.)
DML was stung by some harsh criticism of its Pzkw. IV Ausf. E "Afrika
Korps" kit (No. 6264) as some "experten" on the internet faulted it
for dimensional errors and other problems. As a result, DML sent two
of its Japanese researchers to Aberdeen Proving Ground and the
Ordnance Museum to reverify their measurements from the Pzkw. IV
Ausf. E in the museum's collection. This kit reflects any changes
they felt had to be made, and therefore it sports some new parts –
166 of them. Note that most of them are either upgrades to previous
parts or as in the case of the assault armor new and specific to
this kit.
Again, as noted with the previous Ausf. E, I want to warn modelers
that this is a VERY complex kit, and comes with a large number of
options which are called out in the directions. As with all recent
DML kits, many of the parts are redundant and offer the modeler the
choice of either styrene parts or etched brass – DML is one of the
few, if not the only, company to offer this; others either assume
you will buy their sets aftermarket and replace kit parts, or give
you no option but to use them from the start. Since a good number of
modelers still are a bit leery of etched metal due to tales of
vanishing parts or problems in attaching them, it gives the
"retention challenged" (e.g. the guy who loses itty bitty parts!)
modeler a fighting chance.
The kit also comes pre-section for detail fans who want an interior.
All hatches are separate parts and some interior detail is included,
including a very complete turret basket and 7.5 cm L/24 gun; this
has a choice between a "slide molded" styrene barrel or a turned
aluminum one. A very detailed 21 part commander's cupola is also
included for the turret. There are other details here that need to
be seen and appreciated (MIG fans will be happy!) such as the geared
turret race.
The model just abounds with details. Each of the suspension bogies
has 18 parts (19 with protective armor cover) with separate tires
for painting. Safety chains are provided for the towing shackle
mounts as they have separate pins too. Two sets of engine deck doors
are provided (early/late model and Africa) along with etched inserts
for those who wish them.
This detail takes a good jeweler's loupe to see – there are two
DIFFERENT sets of "Magic Track" links, one for the left side and one
for the right, as they replicate the different sides that the track
pins are inserted from for holding the track together! Alas, DML did
not identify which bag is which, so I hope you at least keep them on
the correct sides! (Think hard on the types of judges at shows who
are going to have to use an "IPMS Death Ray" – penlight – and 10x
jeweler's loupe to check on that – payback can be fun!) (DML does
tell you that the fastener side goes out and the smooth head goes
in, as there is a "knocker" to keep them in place if the fastener
fails. They don't identify which bag is which, though, so you have
to sort it out.)
Markings and finishing directions are included for five different
vehicles: two from Pz. Ers. Abt. 5, Germany, 1942; Pz. Ers. Abt.
Nimes, 1942; Panzerregiment 31, Russia 1942; and one from Pz. Ers.
Abt. 4, Germany 1942; the first four are Panzer Grey and the last
one is Panzerbraun.
in summary, this is a nice kit if somewhat curious, but it should be
popular as you can do up a good straight Ausf. E from it.
Highly Recommended
Thanks to
Freddie Leung for the review sample.
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