German Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf D/TAUCH Convertible KitReviewed by Cookie Sewell
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Stock Number and Description | Tristar 1/35 Scale Kit No. 35023; German Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf D/TAUCH Convertible Kit |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | 991 parts (921 parts in tan styrene, 64 etched brass, 5 clear styrene, 1 length of twisted steel cable) |
Price: | US $55.00 |
Review Type: | FirstLook |
Advantages: | Beautifully molded kit with state-of-the-art techniques; nearly all plastic kit provides the same type of resolution as some multimedia kits |
Disadvantages: | Very, very complex structures are intricate and may frustrate some modelers; directions can be highly confusing as they offer start, interim and end variants inr preparations for wading |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended for all German Eastern Front fans and early war armor fans |
FirstLook
Considering how few German tanks were actually rigged up for
snorkeling, with some figures showing only a few more than 200 Pzkw.
III and IV tanks were so converted, they have really engendered a
lot of interest from the model manufacturers, and this is now the
second kit to come to the market of a 1/35 scale Pzkw. IV Ausf. D
with the "Tauchpanzer" fittings.
Having previously seen and reviewed the Dragon/cyber-hobby.com
ultimate "boutique" kit of this vehicle, I can compare the new
Tristar one with it and comment on the new version.
Tristar has a totally different approach to how it breaks its kits
down, but the end result – if carefully assembled – is a really
super-accurate kit with no real need for putty or any gap-filling.
Having assembled two of them recently, I must say their fit is
impeccable and this kit from dry fitting seems little different. As
a result, Tristar can produce in styrene what other manufacturers
choose to produce in multimedia. Only the DML "Smart Kits" can give
them a run for their money in this area.
Tristar tends to approach its kits with a view to the prototype:
while they can obviously use slide molding (as this kit does) they
prefer to use construction techniques that are close to the
prototype. Thus, instead of a one-piece lower hull, this kit has a
lower hull comprised of six parts – pan, two braces, two sides, and
sternplate. All brackets are separate parts, and care must be taken
in cutting them off the sprues and installing them due to their
petite size (e.g. right puny.)
Here is where the directions get very confusing; while they call out
the parts correctly, what they don't indicate very well is that the
kit can be built four ways: stock Pzkw. IV Ausf. D; "Tauch" panzer
in combat mode; "Tauch" preparing to wade; "Tauch" buttoned up for
wading. These are numbered in small grey circles as 4, 1, 2, and 3
respectively. As a result, you had best have decided BEFORE starting
which one you wish to build!
DML uses an 18-part bogie assembly, whereas Tristar's consist of 19
with a choice of three different bogie mounting bosses on the hull
(S-9/10, S-16/17, or S-18/19 as they are also "handed.") They stay
close to DML by providing individual bolt heads for the final
drives, but these are molded onto tongue-shaped sprue addenda and
must be carefully removed with a sharp knife or razor blade.
The tracks are similar to the DML "Magic Tracks" but are fixed to
their sprues and have to be cut off and trimmed up. Note that this
model comes with only 216 links (108 left, 108 right, with only 98
links per side called for in the directions) and not the extras
found in the DML kit. Assembly is similar - gently snap them
together and then glue once in position.
Then model has two different upper hull sections – A-1 for a
standard IV D and I-1 for the "Tauch" version, which comes with
mounting locations and components of the wading kit.
Note that while the kit comes with only a rudimentary interior for
the turret (nicely done gun and seats) all hatches are optional
position ones and if you have an after-market interior set it will
permit display of that extra work.
DML solved the problem of the "buttoned-up" tank by using its
trademark DS flexible plastic for the boots and covers for the "Tauch"
version, but Tristar sticks to regular molded styrene fittings. This
is relatively smooth and does not capture the same texture as the
DML ones, but from what the kit shows these appear to be more of a
hard-shell fixture and may be a different design. There are thus
three different gun barrels for this turret (smooth, with guard, and
covered for wading) but as for the two without covers, the
directions do not explain the differences. One comes without the
brush/antenna guard, which may be for the "Tauch" version with its
equipment stowed.
There are different fittings for the exhaust as well, with simple
"bubbler" type fittings for the tank when prepared for deep wading
and a normal early Pzkw. IV when not rigged for wading. As with the
DML one, no floating snorkel intake is included, and in the case of
this kit there is only the base for the intake on the top of the
turret (part B-26). (Admittedly modeling these tanks wading would be
a bit of a challenge!)
The OVM mounts with a combination of molded on strapping as well as
etched metal, which seems to make sense and unless you really enjoy
annealing brass to bend it for straps most modelers will probably
not complain. Overall the etched metal is kept to a minimum and
provides mostly bits such as brackets, safety chains, and the eight
folding flaps to close off the air flow through the sides of the
engine deck.
One part which does not seem to be provided (and the directions say
so) is a large rectangular beam on the right fender of the "Tauch"
version. The directions don't explain it (e.g. is it wood or metal,
or a case for something else) and I plead guilty to not having a
reference to what its function would be. It appears to be like the
unditching beams carried on Soviet tanks of the period, but could be
a case or tube like that mounted on the DML kit.
The kit provides markings and finishing options for five different
tanks, but surprisingly does not call out which ones are "Tauch"
vehicles and which ones are not! The ones provided are for: 2nd
Panzer Division, Semols 1940; 9th Company, 18th Panzer Regiment,
Russia 1941; 18th Panzer Regiment, Russia 1941; 3rd Company, 18th
Panzer Regiment, Germany 1940; and one unidentified tank. All are in
solid Panzergrau from the directions.
Overall, this is another very lovely kit and the choice between the
DML one and this kit is up to the modeler's tastes, for both are
outstanding kits. If you do not like to mess around with photo
etched metal and have no problem with itty bitty styrene parts, this
would probably be the better choice.
Sprue breakdown
A 15 Pzkw. IV upper hull
B 52 Turret details
C 60 Upper hull details
D 62 Tools and OVM
E 25x5 bolts and RP parts
E 2 hull braces
E 20x2 Small parts
F 1 belly pan
GP1 2 clear styrene
GP2 3 clear styrene
H 5 turret shell
I 38 Tauschpanzer upper hull and fittings
SG 72x3 track links
S1 62x2 Suspension bogies
S2 10x2 Drivers and idlers
W 32x4 Road wheels
Wb 8x4 Road wheels
Wc 4x4 Return Rollers
1 twisted steel cable (called copper in directions)
PE 64 etched brass
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Bob Lewen of MRC for the review sample