Pz.Kpfw. IV/70(A) Final Production - Smart Kit

Dragon, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell

Summary

FirstLook

DML has now released the “bookend” kit to their previous Jagdpanzer IV/70 (V) kits as a complete new kit. This one uses “mix and match” from the previous ones but also adds 50 new styrene parts and a 204 piece set of etched brass to complete it.

The A version (for Alkett) differed from the V (for VOMAG) version by simply mounting the casemate to the top of a standard Pzkw. IV Ausf. H hull; as a result it was nearly 2 ½ metric tons heavier and had to use steel road wheels on the first four road wheel positions as it was very nose-heavy. But only 230 of these vehicles were built as opposed to nearly a thousand of the VOMAG ones.

As fewer of these were built, the kit offers fewer options. It can only use the late (twin pipes) rear hull and exhaust arrangement. While it appears to use the previous kit’s three return roller lower hull there have been comments that the fittings on this vehicle differed from the VOMAG one, but I do not have any references that cover that.

As with all DML Panzer IV kits, no engine detail is provided, but a firewall is included. Engine deck details are similar to those used on previous Panzer IV “Smart Kit” offerings.

The complete L/70 gun is again provided with a slide-molded gun barrel in one piece, which at least on the review sample did not have sink mark one on it. However, other than the big gun and the radios there is no interior to speak of within the casemate.

This model comes with the “von Thoma” mesh skirts and they are what take up most of the etched brass fittings for mounting. This is a bit of a chore unless you are very good at soldering and assembly of this sort of kit fitting.

The kit comes with “Magic Track” single link vice the handier DS Plastic one-piece runs, but in this case if the skirts are not used the tracks will have to have some sag in them so the choice may not be so bad.

Technical assistance is credited to Notger Schlegendal, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.

Only one finishing option is covered and a small sheet of Cartograf decals is provided for it: Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1945 (tri-color upper hull, black crosses).

Overall this is a nice model and “completes the record” on the sub-family of Panzer IV 70 caliber 7.5 cm gun tank destroyer vehicles.

Sprue Layout:

A 37x2 Pzkw. IV Generic drivers, idlers and return rollers
A 81x2 Pzkw. IV Generic road wheels and bogies
B 18 Brummbaer - front end parts
C 96 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 - brackets, schuertzen, details
D 49 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 - return rollers, details
E 28x2 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 - front road wheel replacement parts
E 25 Pzkw. IV Ausf. H details - hatches, OVM, pioneer tools
F 1 Pz.Kpfw. IV/70(A) - mantlet
G 53 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 - 7.5 cm gun and mount details
H 59 Pzkw. IV - engine deck details
J 7 German Generic Jack
K 10 German Generic Antenna and tail light set
L 8 Spare Pzkw. IV road wheels
L 108 “Magic Track” 40 cm left track links
M 15 clear styrene
N 32 Pzkw. IV - fenders, upper hull sides, details
N 2 Casemate and engine deck
P 33 Pzkw. IV Ausf. H engine deck details
P 3 Clear styrene
Q 6 Spare 40 cm track links
Q 51 Pz.Kpfw. IV/70(A) schuerzen hangers, details, gun mount
R 108 “Magic Track” 40 cm right track links
T 81+ Pzkw. IV Ausf. H schuerzen hangers and extra bolt heads
X 1 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 lower hull pan
MA 204 Etched brass
MB 6 Steel mesh

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.