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DML
6363, Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G LAH Division Kharkov 1943, Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 527 styrene parts (including 15 clear), two bags of individual-link “Magic Tracks”, one photo-etched brass fret, one piece of braided metal wire, five decal/marking schemes and ten pages of instructions in 19 steps.
Introduction.
Following the release of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2/G, with 7.5cm KwK L/43 main gun, DML has just released a more-or-less “straight-up-and-down” (which expression is thanks to Ken Jones of MilMod) production version of an early Ausf.G. This version is mainly distinguished from previous models by the two Bosch head-lamps (one on each track guard) and the tray to hold two spare road-wheels on the port-side. There are a number of minor differences between this and the previous model, while to make a later Ausf.G, the cupola hatch lid would be changed to the single piece type and the antenna would be mounted at the rear corner of the superstructure, on the port side. Again I reiterate that these are SOME of the main changes; this Panzer had a bewildering variety of fittings, many of which changed repeatedly during its production run.
The good news is that this kit has many of these changes incorporated within the parts layout. The bad news? Nothing that I can find! As this release is based to a great degree on previously used parts from kits reviewed here at ToT, much of this review will be a “cut-and-paste” affair, with the new bits highlighted.
Tracks.
Starting with the tracks, DML provides the earlier type of 40cm track with smooth faces and opened guide teeth, in the so-called “Magic Track” individual-link style. The links need no preparation prior to assembly, if the modeler can ignore the two faint ejector pin marks on their inner faces. The links are “handed”, which means that they have certain details that are seen on each outer side when they are properly oriented on the suspension system. So, don’t just empty them out of their bags and start throwing them together. DML has also molded them in two different shades of grey to keep the modeler from getting mixed up. The track assembly jig seen in some other DML Pz.Kpfw.IV kits has been omitted from this kit.
Suspension System.
The road-wheels have separate hub-caps of the type initially introduced with the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E. The wheels themselves are the widened type first introduced on the Ausf.F, which along with the 40cm tracks were able to handle the increased ground pressure resulting from the weight of the thickened armor compared to previous models. Each wheel/tire assembly is conventionally-molded in one piece per side and includes manufacturer’s logo and tire size information on the rubber rim. A total of 20 complete road-wheels are given, which leaves four extras for spare stowage.
The suspension bogies do not articulate, and as a result are far less complicated to assemble compared to the previous Ausf.B, C, D and E kits. The bogies themselves are in two parts with separate ends for the leaf springs, and a separate hub, which in turn attach to a separate mount.
The final drive housings consist of four parts each, without any of the internal details seen on previous kits. The three-part curved armor plates that protect the front of these housings have the rivet details molded in place, simplifying construction compared to the other DML kits, which had the modeler attach separate rivets. The drive sprockets themselves are presented in a conventional manner in that the hubs are separate and the inner and outer halves of the toothed rings are one piece each.
Separate, two-part bump stops are fitted to five stations on either of the hull sides, as are movable idler wheel axle adjustment housings, something that will be of great help in fitting the tracks. Don’t glue the axle in place until after the tracks have been fitted; this will prevent the dreaded “one-too-few or one-too-many” links phobia. The idler wheels are of the welded-pipe design and are also provided as inner and outer halves with the hub molded in place. These assemblies feature excellent weld bead details and, as mentioned above, can be adjusted on their axles in order to depict proper track sag.
Hull.
The hull has the fairings between the bogie units molded in place, again for simplified assembly. Multi-part slide-molds were used to render this part, so details have not been compromised. Rivets, bolts, panels, hatches and weld beads are all crisply-rendered, while there are separate fuel filler caps for the side wall. The final items are the parts for the hull side wall seen behind the final drive housings. By making these separate, DML can, if they wish, switch the parts to provide for the final style of tow hooks, which were merely holes drilled into extended hull side walls.
Modelers should note that there are three thick “injection stubs” on each rim of the hull side walls. These must be removed or the fenders will not fit. This is not mentioned in the instructions, although the drawing in that particular step shows the items in question as having already been removed. A separate internal bulkhead is fitted between the fighting compartment and engine compartment. It has no detail and apparently only serves a structural purpose.
On the bow, a separate plate is provided to which the front tow points are attached, along with their separate pins and bars to hold spare track links. A new part for this area is the welded-style 30mm Zusaztpanzer (appliqué armor) plate seen on more than a few Ausf.Gs. The instructions show this plate as an option, and four out of the five decal placement drawings show this item in place. However, I strongly urge modelers to check references to determine if the subject they are building actually had the armor in place. Brackets for mounting spare track links on the bow plate are also given as an option.
On the stern, the hull rear plate is composed of several parts and through the use of a slide-mold, has properly rendered bolt heads where the upper and lower sections were joined together. There is a variation provided, but it’s not clear which style is used with which markings; again, some research will be in order. The large exhaust muffler, first introduced with the Ausf.F, is in several parts, some slide-molded. There are two styles of muffler for the turret traverse motor and three variations of tow pintle; but again, none are tied to a specific markings variation. The final items back there are the separate tow hooks for each hull side wall.
Superstructure.
The glacis plate has separate final drive/brake access hatch lids, which include the brake air cooling intake cowls as separate parts; if left open some work will need to be done to open the hole on the back of the lid that provided cooling air from the cowls. The spare track links and brackets that were a feature of Ausf.Gs are also provided to fit over the transmission access hatch lid; these include etched brass mounting points. A fender support bracket is provided as a styrene or etched brass assembly. This entire sub-assembly fits a new plate that has a straight rear edge to accommodate the straight superstructure front plate.
This new kit, in fact, provides three almost identical glacis plates, two of which are marked for use. It appears that one is to be used if superstructure front plate appliqué armor is installed, but the instructions are not clear on this point. In addition, the standardized spare track holders are another option in this area.
The superstructure front plate is 50mm thick and includes the new ball mount for the MG34 as well as a new driver’s visor; the latter features a separate cover that must be glued in place in the desired position. It is also provided with new parts for the 30mm appliqué armor plates; again check those references to see if your model had this feature. Some internal details are given such as a clear view-port block and a fairly complete, multi-part MG34, which includes a pre-bored muzzle.
The superstructure sides represent 30mm armor plates very nicely, to include subtle weld bead details; these also have separate view-port flaps with clear internal parts. Only the later driver and radio operator’s hatch lids are given; these lack separate signal pistol ports but retain integrally-molded internal latches. The earlier hatch lid type with signal port flaps is not provided.
The superstructure roof plate features separate engine deck access hatch lids, each with an etched brass part for the internal baffles. The small box seen over the radiator filler cap is a separate part and is given in two versions; so check the instructions and references to be sure the proper one is used. The side vents on the engine compartment are also new and are provided as multi-part styrene moldings in two different configurations. The flaps for these vents are provided as styrene or etched brass items
Various tools and other fittings are separate parts. These include the antenna, antenna storage trough, vent cowl, jack block, various tools, gun cleaning staffs and bore swab. The track guards are superbly detailed on both sides and have not a single knock-out pin mark on any surface. The front and rear mud flaps are also separate items and can be positioned “up” or “down”. They come from a slide mold so details visible on their sides are in place. However, if folded up, they each have several prominent ejector pin marks that will have to be filled, since they will be readily visible. New for this area is the factory-designed tray to carry two spare road-wheels, seen on the port-side track guard.
Production Ausf.Gs had the Notek black-out driving lamp replaced by two of the later Bosch design; they are complimented by various convoy distance lamps and reflectors (some with etched brass parts). More tools, track guard support brackets (with etched brass options), spare tracks and a multi-part vehicle jack dress up the remainder of the area.
The rear superstructure plate features crisp details with molded-on filler cap; the multi-part smoke candle dispenser box seen in the previous release is not included. The tow cables are made up of braided copper wire and styrene ends with holes already in place due to the use of slide molds; these attach to the upper rear plate using separate “L”-shaped hooks.
Turret.
The turret has been re-worked to delete both of the side-wall mounted view-port flaps and also features the front plate that had only one view-port flap. Separate port flaps and hinges as well as clear parts for the glass blocks are provided. The split turret side doors (introduced with the Ausf.F) are separate parts and include separate internal coamings, hinges and clear vision blocks. Above these are grab handles and rain guards.
The rear of the turret face includes separate pistol port covers as well as separate mounts for the Gepakkasten (bustle storage locker). This item is correctly-sized and therefore does not match the drawings in Panzer Tracts No.4; on this point I corresponded with a member of the kit’s consultation team, who has assured me the DML part is dimensionally correct. The Gepakkasten comes from a slide mold and incorporates fine rivet detail, wooden strips and separate lid.
The turret roof has some very well-done weld bead details and has captured some very subtle aspects quite nicely. A separate two-part vent cover, smoke pistol flap and commander’s blade sight (styrene or etched brass) is also included. The cupola features the earlier split hatch lid design and also has internal detail to include clear vision blocks. The view ports are also separate and all can be configured opened, closed or in any combination thereof.
The early Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.Gs were armed with the 7.5cm KwK L/43 with bottle-shaped muzzle brake, which is well represented using slide molds and multiple parts. The earlier globe-shaped muzzle brake is also provided but is marked as not for use. DML has made a bit of a fuss regarding the external sleeve for the KwK, which apparently came in a couple of variations. The instructions show a warning icon regarding this part, but the meaning is left un-explained. Internal details for the gun include a fairly complete breech assembly with two different breech blocks. The internal part of the roof-mounted exhaust fan is given as is a commander’s seat. The mantlet includes a slide-molded MG34 muzzle and armored sleeve, or a sleeve without the gun in place. New for this kit is a separate lower gun mount part that includes the radio antenna depression rail.
The triple-tube smoke grenade launchers, their mounts and the grenades themselves are held-over from the previous kit. They are marked for use, but as with most of the options the instructions are not specific regarding features combinations and markings; three of the five decal placement drawing sets show this feature in place. As always, check those references!
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Molding overall is excellent, while fit for such a relatively complex kit is rated as outstanding. There are a few ejector pin marks that may need attention (not counting the tracks, of course) and the turret interior has several pins that will need to be cut off. Flash is non-existent, while mold part seams are subtle and easily dealt with.
Accuracy.
As far as accuracy is concerned, the kit matches drawings in Panzer Tracts No.4 to well within acceptable limits. It should be mentioned here that certain details seen on the kit are not shown in the cited drawings, but are seen in contemporary photos, and that some items simply do not match (size-wise), such as the Gepakkasten. The lesson here? No one is perfect, be they a researcher, artist, kit designer or reviewer.
Instructions.
The instructions are well-drawn but as always for DML, they are very “busy” and in a few places (as always) may leave the modeler scratching his head; proceed with caution! Have I mentioned that it’s a good idea for the modeler to check references…
Decals and Markings Information.
Water-slide decals for five different Panzer are provided by Cartograf of Italy. They are in perfect register, have crisp, sharp edges and excellent color saturation. They depict the following Panzer:
The only small fly in the ointment is the use of current hobby paint manufacturer’s product names for certain WW2 German colors, particularly when it comes to the color “Field Grey”. As a result, in some cases the colors will not be correct (at least as they are depicted in the instructions); the modeler will need to do a bit more research to get them right.
Conclusion.
I have mentioned some omissions in the instruction sheet, especially where it concerns which markings are to be applied to specific sub-variants. This can be quite vexing to some modelers, especially those without an over-abundance of references. Otherwise, whatever problems that may be encountered during the actual assembly sequence appear, to this reviewer at least, to be rather inconsequential. Your results may vary…
For the modeler wishing to replicate a standard early Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G, this kit will be the way to go. With proper references many minor variations can be built from what’s in the box, while whatever parts are left-over will be quite useful for other German AFVs. Sounds like a “win/win” situation to me.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. “Curley Stooge” De Sisto
References consulted for this review included (but were not limited to) the following books:
1. “Panzerkampfwagen IV”, Achtung Panzer No.3.
2. “Pz.Kpfw.IV”, Sturm & Drang No.4.
3. “Panzerkampfwagen IV, Grosstrktor to Panzerbefehlswagen IV”, Panzer Tracts No.4, by T.Jentz & H. Doyle.
4. “Panzer IV and its Variants”, Spielberger Series Vol. IV, by W.J. Spielberger.
5. “Pz.Kpfw.IV in Action”, Squadron Armor No.12, by B. Culver & D. Greer.
6. “Panzer IV”, Squadron 6081, by K. Hjermstad, D. Greer & E. Cumpain.
7. “SS Armor”, Squadron 6014, by R. Stern.
8. “The Eastern Front, Armor Camouflage and Markings 1941 to 1945”, Squadron 6102, by S. Zaloga & J. Grandsen.
9. “Panzer-Grenadier-Division Großdeutschland”, Squadron 6009, by H. Scheibert & B. Culver.
10. “Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.G, H and J 1942-45”, Osprey New Vanguard 39, by T.Jentz, H. Doyle & T.Bryan.
11. “Sd.Kfz.161 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F/F2/G”, J.J. Federowicz, by W. Trojca, Z. Kolocha & “J23”.
12. “Modelling the Late Panzerkampfwagen IV”, Osprey Modelling 38, by T. Cockle & G. Edmundson.
13. “Hitler’s Teutonic Knights”, 2nd Edition, Patrick Stevens, by B. Quarrie.
Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
DML kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.
