Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D DAK Tropical Version - Smart Kit

Dragon, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell

Summary

FirstLook


Now that DML has kitted at least one variant of every Panzer IV kit, they are now refining and relooking older kits. This one is the first dedicated DAK Panzer IV Ausf. D kit to be released, and uses “mix and match” with a couple of new sprues and DS Plastic 38 cm tracks to complete this offering.

This is a “Spartan” kit by DML standards with more than 300 fewer parts than the previous A and B kits of early Panzer IVs but still consists of over 900 parts. As always, the model has a wealth of detail. A pretty substantial basic turret interior and basket are included, and all hatches are separate pieces with interior detailing. The commander’s cupola is included and consists of more than 25 parts to portray it with either ports open or ports closed. All small details such as pistol ports and access hatches are separate and may be assembled open or closed.

The running gear mixes the early and later DML version. Most of the running gear is the later simplified type with some details borrowed from the “high detail” set that carried things to a bit of an extreme with separate bolts for the drivers, but nothing that drastic is used here. Bogie assemblies consist of 10 parts each with two different style grease caps included. The three-piece idlers are used with this kit. A nicely done set of DS Plastic 38 cm tracks are provided instead of the previous choice of 288 “Magic Track” single links. As noted, DML tells you how long the track has to be with 1/72 scale kits but not with their 1/35 efforts, so fit will be by guess and by golly.

The very early hull is provided, which is correct. The drivers appear to me at first glance to be about the right height – e.g. the sprocket faces (not the tops of the teeth) look to be level with the tops of the return rollers.

Most of the changes seem to involve the detail fittings for the DAK such as the lozenge shaped metal plates and some air filter fittings. 30 parts are new to this specific kit.

Notger Schlegtendal, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson are listed as the technical consultants for this kit.

A total of four to six different vehicles are covered in the painting and markings section for the Pzkw. IV Ausf. D DAK. These include: 8./Pz.Rgt. 5, 1st Light Division, Libya 1941(sand over grey, crosses, white 813); 8./Pz.Rgt. 5, 1st Light Division, Libya 1941 (sand, white 413); 4./Pz.Rgt. 8, 15th Panzer Division, Libya 1941 (sand, black 4); 4./Pz.Rgt. 5, 21st Panzer Division, Libya 1941 (sand, white 401). Optional decals for vehicles 7, 8, 812 and 414 are also provided on a good-sized Cartograf sheet.

Overall this is a nicely done update and as always should be popular with Afrika Korps fans.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Sprue Layout:

A 37 x 2 Pzkw. IV - drivers and idlers, final drives, return rollers
A 78x2 Pzkw. IV - road wheel hubs, return rollers, suspension elements
A 84 x 2 Pzkw IV - wheels and suspension elements
A 10x2 Pzkw. IV - drivers, idlers, return rollers
B 32 Pzkw. IV -armored final drives
B 24 Pzkw. IV glacis, casemate sides, details
C 7 DAK fittings
D 98 Pzkw. IV (early models) - fenders, hull details
E 53 Pzkw. IV - engine deck and fittings
F 44 Pzkw. IV - turret interior
G 23 Pzkw. IV - turret base, smoke candles, bustle bin
H 58 German Generic - OVM
J 55 Pzkw. IV - hull and turret details, exhaust
P 26 Clear styrene
Q 25 Pzkw. IV - cupola components
S 2 Pzkw. IV - fenders
U 1 Clear styrene
X 1 Pzkw. IV - lower hull
Z 2 DS Plastic 38 cm tracks
MA 50 Etched brass

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.