Kit, Cyberhobby 6437, Raketenwerfer auf Fahrgestell Pz.Kpfw.IV

CYBERHOBBY/ DML


Product Specifications.

6437, Raketenwerfer auf Fahrgestell Pz.Kpfw.IV. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 787 styrene parts (including 26 clear), two bags of individual-link “Magic Tracks”, four photo-etched brass frets, one stamped brass part, three pieces of pre-formed metal wire, one piece of braided metal wire, one decal/marking scheme and eight pages of instructions in 15 steps.


Introduction.

Most of the time, while fighting is raging at the front, the manufacturers and engineers on the home front are busy coming up with new contraptions designed to bring destruction to the enemy; sometimes this is done by the troops on the front. One of the more unusual and less-known derivatives of the Pz.Kpfw.IV medium tank falls into this category as it represents a prototype of a tracked MLRS (multiple launch rocket system) that could launch four 28cm, 30cm or 32cm spin-stabilized missiles.


As is their mandate, Cyberhobby, in conjunction with DML has just released a kit of this particular vehicle in their so-called White Box limited edition series.


Tracks.

Starting with the tracks, the earlier type of 38cm track with the shorter opened guide teeth, in the Magic Track individual-link style. This means that 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 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. Curiously, the track assembly jig seen in other DML Pz.Kpfw.IV kits has been omitted from this item.


Suspension System.

The road-wheels have separate hub-caps of the first type seen on these Panzer as well as separate wheels and tires. This will ease the painting process, since the tires can be finished separately and then attached to the pre-finished wheel/hub assembly. They have properly positioned mold parting lines, which despite what contest judges may think, are correct for new tires. Their sprue connections are on the insides of their rims, which will ease their clean-up and also preserve the seam on the tire. The suspension bogies are multi-part affairs and can articulate, which will be helpful to diorama modelers since the Panzer can be depicted following the contours of rough ground. Separate bump stops are fitted front and rear, while a completely detailed final drive housing, with internal gear details is to be attached to the front of the hull tub. The rear gets new movable idler wheel 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 link disease.


The drive sprockets themselves are presented in two ways. One is conventional in that the hubs, spokes and toothed rings are fitted to each other to make the assembly. The other is rather unusual in that a second set of toothed rings have open holes to which tiny bolts are fitted, and these then mount to the spokes. This is a handy option if a modeler wishes to show these removed for maintenance or as battle-damaged items. Two styles of idler wheels are provided, both of which make use of photo-etched brass rim inserts. One type is conventionally-molded in the usual two parts; the other is molded as one piece using slide-molds. Either will look fine when mounted.


Hull.

The hull tub comes from a slide mold and is comprised of the belly and the two side plates. Various rivet heads, bump-stop mounts (with separate bump stops) and mounts for the return rollers are molded in place on the side walls. Part of the support brackets for the idler wheel mounts as well as some internal details seen behind the final drive housings are also molded in place. Separate fuel filler port covers are included. The belly contains various access plates, escape hatch cover, drain plugs and rivets molded in place, as well as some mounting details for the bogie units. The fairings seen between each bogie are also provided as separate parts. There are three stubs from the injection molding process that will need to be removed from the upper rims of each side wall; this is not mentioned in the instructions.


The separate hull rear plate depicts the type seen on the Ausf.C with the particular style of tow coupling, exhaust muffler and smoke candle dispensers seen on this model. The flange that connects the superstructure rear plate to the hull rear plate has bolt heads on both surfaces, which is a very nice touch. On the bow, a separate plate is provided to which the front tow points are attached, along with their separate pins and etched brass keeper chains.


Superstructure.

The superstructure rear plate features a choice of etched brass or styrene filler port covers and pre-formed metal tow cable stowage hooks. The cables themselves are comprised of styrene end loops, which are pre-bored to accept braided metal wire. Other details such as tail lamps, access plates and tow cable hangers are provided, including a choice of styrene or pre-shaped metal parts for the latter.


The glacis plate has separate final drive access hatch lids as well as a separate transmission access hatch lid. These fit to a plate that has a straight rear edge to accommodate the straight superstructure front plate. The superstructure front plate is thinner to represent 30mm plate and has separate driver’s visors, radio operator’s view-port flaps and MP port cover; there are clear parts for the interior to represent bullet–resistant glass. A new Vorpanzer (spaced armor) plate is fitted over the front plate. The superstructure sides are also thin, representing 14.5mm armor plates very nicely; these also have separate view-port flaps with clear internal details. The driver and radio operator’s hatch lids are separate and include separate signal flaps and internal latches. The entire superstructure roof plate features three-part engine deck hatch lids with the correct style of locks as well as fan housings and drive shaft for the inside of the starboard side lid. The side vents on the engine compartment are provided as one-piece styrene moldings or multi-part etched brass assemblies.


The fenders are also provided as two options; one has pre-opened holes for the corresponding set of tools. The other consists of fenders with only the “base details”, such as bolt heads and tread plate pattern, to which a second set of tools, designed to be used with etched brass clamps and brackets are attached. This provides maximum detail and also allows flexibility since tools and other items can be placed in “custom” locations to depict a specific Panzer’s features. Also of note is that the fenders 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 (with many separate details) and can be positioned “up” or “down”.


Three “early-style” jerry cans are provided; each is in four parts and also includes an etched brass insert to represent the connecting seam between the two main halves. These are properly designed so they will fit together with no modification by the modeler, unlike some of DML’s “late-style” jerry cans seen in some of their other kits. Spare road wheels are given as well.


Turret.

The turret is where this vehicle differs from a standard Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.C in that it contains an armored forward section and an articulating box launcher for the four rockets. The front section features the usual doors seen on the sides of the turret, but these are hinged at their rear, opposite of the norm. The front plate features an MG34 in its mount, with the gun barrel being pre-bored through the use of a slide-mold; next to it is a driver’s hinged visor, with clear parts for the glass vision block. The roof is fitted with standard Pz.Kpfw.IV hatch lids, complete with separate signal port flaps.


The launch box is created with several flat plates and a very simple strut arrangement to elevate it. Internally, the shipping frames for the rockets are made from etched brass parts; these assemblies are very complex and will require a dedicated bending tool for best results. It would also probably be a good idea to use solder in their assembly. The rockets themselves are in four parts each and include separate fuses; no decals are provided to mark them.


All of this mounts on to a rotating turret base part, which fits into the standard opening on the superstructure roof plate. This will allow for the usual full 360-degrees rotation.


Accuracy and details.

As far as accuracy is concerned, the base kit matches drawings in Panzer Tracts 4 to well within acceptable limits. It is in the area of the turret where there appear to be problems. The only known photo, in reference 1, indicates that the turret side plates are too short front-to-rear; this is very, very noticeable and will not be an easy fix. Another area where the kit is let down are the road-wheel hubs. As given in the kit, the earlier types as seen on the Ausf.C are provided, when in fact they should be the later types seen on the Ausf.F. Likewise the Zusatzpanzer (appliqué armor) panels seen on the bow and glacis are shown in the photo but are not provided in the box. Since these parts are in the DML range, it is curious that they are not in the kit. Finally, it would have been nice to have some more in the way of decals to mark the rockets.


Molding, Fit and Engineering.

I know from past experience with the base kit that he fit of the parts in this kit is good-to-excellent. As I plan on passing the kit along to another modeler, I did not assemble any of the new etched brass bits for the rocket launcher. No sink marks are apparent and with the exception of the tracks, no ejector pin marks are visible on any external surface of the complete model, including the interiors of the various hatch lids. Flash was non-existent, while mold seams are quite fine and easily dealt with using traditional modeling skills and tools.


Instructions.

These are typical in that they are in the traditional line-drawing style. They are relatively clear, but “busy”. Modelers are advised to plan carefully before applying the glue. Colors are keyed to Gunze and Testors paints.


Decals and Markings Information.


These are printed by Italy’s Cartograf and are, as usual, well-produced. The designs consist of four white-outline Balkenkreuze national insignia. Registration is not an issue and all edges are crisply-rendered; carrier film is thin, matte and cut close to the designs.


Conclusion.

This is a well-engineered and complex kit of an extremely rare vehicle; this is why it is a Cyberhobby release. However, the accuracy issues regarding the turret as well as the two main omissions may give many modelers reason to pause before making a purchase. This is too bad since this kit depicts an interesting vehicle that actually existed, as opposed to the more recently prevailing rash of Paper panzer kits.



Recommended with reservations.


Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto


References consulted for this review included (but were not limited to) the following books:


1. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition, Arms and Armour Press, by P. Chamberlain, T.Jentz & H. Doyle.
2. Panzerkampfwagen IV, Achtung Panzer #3.
3. Pz.Kpfw.IV, Sturm & Drang #4.
4. Panzerkampfwagen IV, Grosstrktor to Panzerbefehlswagen IV, Panzer Tracts 4, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.


Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML and Cyberhobby. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.


Cyberhobby kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For more details, see their web site: www.cyber-hobby.com.


Delete abwehrabwehr from email.