DML
6315, Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F1(F) Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 551 styrene parts (including 15 clear), two bags of individual-link Magic Tracks, one photo-etched brass fret, one piece of braided metal wire, 10 water-slide decal marking schemes and 10 pages of instructions in 18 steps.
Introduction.
DML has finally released a kit of the more-or-less standard production version of the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F (also known as Ausf.F1) in its continuing quest to kit every version of this workhorse German mittlerer Panzer. Previously, to model a standard Ausf.F, the only available kit was the limited edition Cyberhobby kit of the Ausf.F with Vorpanzer (spaced armor). Most noticeable in this latest release is the very comprehensive water-slide decal sheet, which will allow the modeler to produce a replica of any one of ten Panzer, with several variations provided for one particular Ausf.F.
This kit is essentially the Cyberhobby Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F1 Vorpanzer release, without the extra armor and some other items. Therefore, much of this review is a cut-and-paste (albeit slightly revised) version of the previous posting here on ToT.
These two elevated angled views give the overall impression of the model with all major assemblies in place.
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 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.
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 are therefore 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 attaches 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 multi-part idler wheel axle adjustment housings. 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-tube design and are also provided as inner and outer halves with the hub molded in place; there’s nothing real fancy here. 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 (unlike the Ausf.B, C, D and E kits) has the fairings between the bogie units molded in place, again for simplified assembly. Multi-part slide-molds were used so very little detail has been compromised. Rivets, bolts, panels, hatches and weld beads are all crisply-rendered, while there are separate fuel filler caps for the port-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 upper 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 only serves a structural purpose.
On the bow, a separate plate is provided to which the front tow shackles are attached, along with their separate pins. 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 marked as not for use. 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, only one of which is called out for use in this kit. Three variations of tow pintle are given and there are also separate hooks for each hull side wall.
Superstructure.
The glacis plate (minus the mounting pad for the starboard side fender brace) 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. This entire sub-assembly fits a new plate that has a straight rear edge to accommodate the straight superstructure front plate.
The superstructure front plate is 50mm thick and includes the separate ball mount for the MG34 as well as a separate driver’s visor; the latter features a separate cover that must be glued in place in the desired position. 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 specially-detailed spare track links and Gen2-style radio operator’s MG34 and mount are shown prior to installation. Note the proper armored sleeve on the MG34 as well as the pre-drilled bore.
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. The driver and radio operator’s hatch lids are separate and include separate signal pistol port flaps as well as integrally-molded internal latches. A second set, without signal ports are provided, but are not for use with this kit.
The superstructure roof plate features three different styles of separate engine deck access hatch lids. One is the so-called European style without any vents; then, there are two styles of Tropen (tropical) hatch lids, one of which features etched brass parts 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 provided as single-part styrene moldings. 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 haven’t 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. Other items such as the Notek black-out driving lamp are fitted, along with 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 fenders.
The various tools and other OVM come with clamps molded in place. Note the gates around the slide-molded jack block and two different foot pads for the jack itself.
The rear superstructure plate features crisp details with molded-on filler cap and a multi-part smoke candle dispenser box. A second plate is provided, with an empty mount for the dispenser box. The tow cables are made up of braided copper wire and styrene end loops 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 features two view ports on the front plate, with the later style plate consisting of one port provided, but marked as not for use. Separate port flaps and hinges as well as clear parts for the glass blocks are provided. The turret side view ports are treated in a similar manner. The split turret side doors 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 (baggage bin). 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 and separate lid.
The turret roof has some very well-done recessed screw heads and weld bead details; it captures some very subtle aspects quite nicely. A separate vent cover, smoke pistol port flap and commander’s blade sight (styrene or etched brass) is also included. The cupola features the 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 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F was armed with the 7.5cm KwK L/24, which is well represented using slide molds and multiple parts. Internal details for the gun include a fairly complete breech assembly. The gun can also be displayed with the outer armored sleeve removed, for which there are internal details provided. The internal part of the roof-mounted exhaust fan is given as is a commander’s seat. Unlike the Ausf.B through E kits, no turret traverse gear housing or internal parts for the co-axial MG34 are provided. The mantle includes a slide-molded pre-bored MG34 muzzle and armored sleeve, or a sleeve without the gun in place.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Molding overall is excellent, while fit is rated as outstanding. Some work was needed to get the two final drive access hatch lids (parts A-36) to fit properly into their recesses. 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.
Instructions.
The instructions are well-drawn but as always for DML, they are very busy and in a few places may leave the modeler scratching his head; proceed with caution!
Decals and Markings Information.
An extensive water-slide decal sheet from Cartograf is included, as shown here. Note the modest etched brass fret, braided wire for the tow cables and the clear parts for the vision devices and conventional head-lamps.
Water-slide decals for no less than 10 Panzer are provided by Cartograf of Italy. They are in perfect register, have crisp, sharp edges and excellent color saturation. Markings are as follows:
• Red 421, Pz.Rgt.31, 5.Pz.Div. Ostfront 1942*.
• Red 424, Pz.Rgt.31, 5.Pz.Div. Ostfront 1942*.
• White 301, Pz.Rgt.35, 4.Pz.Div. Ostfront 1942.
• Yellow 831, Pz.Rgt.36, 14.Pz.Div. Ostfront 1941.
• White outline 334, Pz.Rgt.21, 20.Pz.Div. Ostfront 1943*.
• Black/white 3, unidentified unit, Kursk 1943.
• White -2, Großdeutschland, Ostfront 1942*.
• White 02, Major Szalimov’s Battalion, Leningrad 1942.
• Red/white 402, Pz.Rgt.5, 21.Pz.Div. Libya 1942*.
• Black/white 8, Pz.Rgt.8, 15.Pz.Div. Libya 1942.
To be sure, the markings selections in this kit are outstanding. And, aside from those listed, there are sets of extra numbers (1 through 5, three each) and dashes so the modeler can depict a wide variety of Panzer from Großdeutschland. The items marked with an asterisk (*) indicate cases where I could find photographic confirmation within the references cited below.
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”; in addition, three schemes do not list any color reference at all.
The modeler will need to do a bit more research to get them right.
These two low-angle views show the main assemblies in place. Note the two mufflers and the smoke grenade dispensers on the rear plate; on the bow there are tow hook holders, while the front superstructure plate features the position-able driver’s visor and the MG34 ball mount.
Conclusion.
Like its predecessors, this is a fantastic kit, easily on par with any of DMLs highly-regarded StuG.III/Pz.Kpfw.III/Pz.Kpfw.IV Smart Kits. Modelers wanting a kit of the Ausf.F, who may have passed up the Cyberhobby Vorpanzer kit, should certainly consider this issue, especially for the excellent and highly useful decal sheet.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curly 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. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
3. Pz.Kpfw.IV; Sturm & Drang No.4.
4. Panzerkampfwagen IV, Grosstrktor to Panzerbefehlswagen IV; Panzer Tracts No.4, by T.Jentz & H. Doyle.
5. Panzer IV and its Variants; Spielberger Series Vol. IV, by W.J. Spielberger.
6. Pz.Kpfw.IV in Action; Squadron Armor No.12, by B. Culver & D. Greer.
7. Panzer IV; Squadron 6081, by K. Hjermstad, D. Greer & E. Cumpain.
8. Sd.Kfz.161 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F/F2/G; J.J. Federowicz, by W. Trojca, Z. Kolocha & J23.
9. The Eastern Front Armor Camouflage and Markings 1941 to 1945; Squadron 6102, by S. Zaloga & J. Grandsen.
10. Panzer Vor! 3; Concord 7060, by F. De Sisto & L. Lecocq.
Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been writing 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 more details see their web site at: www.dragon-models.com.
Delete abwehrabwehr from email.
