Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale =9139-=9145 Series No. 6330; Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D mit 7.5 cm Kw.K.40 L/43; 1,474 parts (1,075 in grey styrene, 288 =93Magic Link=94 track links, 87 etched brass, 23 clear styrene, 1 length of twisted steel wire); estimated price about US$57 US $45
Advantages: another variant of a relatively small number of tanks; based on a handful of survivors; combines early and =93Smart Kit=94 parts in one kit
Disadvantages: Apparently non-combat vehicle used as a trainer
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all early war German fans
FIRST LOOK
All armies had armored vehicles whose service lives were effectively over as new technologies came on line, so they were either reduced to rear area vehicles, used for tank recovery or special purpose platforms, or upgraded to as close to current standards as possible. The German appear to have taken the few surviving Pzkw. IV Ausf. D tanks left and upgraded them with the KwK 43 L/48 gun, then assigning most of them for use as tank trainers. But as the war progressed it appears they may have been issued back out and used as combat tanks.
More than 30 years ago the TV show =93Saturday Night Live=94 had a running skit with Dan Akroyd as a sleazy manufacturer named =93E. Buzz Miller=94 who was selling a toy called =93Bag O=92 Glass=94 =96 nothing but glass shards =96 for children to make things. Upon opening this kit box, it could be called =93Box O=92 Parts=94 as it is packed with some 300 more parts than the original Pzkw. IV Ausf. D =933 in 1" kit (No. 6265) from March 2006. Happily this kit is not as nasty as =93Bag O=92 Glass!=94
DML has combined a number of sprues from their various Pzkw IV early models and the Pzkw. IV Ausf. F and later =93Smart Kits=94 to provide a new version of the Pzkw. IV Ausf. D with upgraded =93long-barrel=94 7.5 cm gun. The kit proclaims it to be the L/43 gun but the reference sources I have indicate that when it was upgraded the gun of choice was the KwK 43 L/48. The difference here is in the muzzle brake and overall length, which is some 10mm longer in 1/35 scale than an accurate L/43 would be. Alas, I do not have good enough plans or measurements to determine (unbuilt) if this is the L/43 or L/48 tube, but as the sprues appear to be from the F2 kit it should be the former.
As with all DML Panzer IV kits, the model comes with a substantial basic turret interior and basket are included, and all hatches are separate pieces with interior detailing. The cupola now consists of an amazing 30 parts with options to display the visors either open or closed, as well as the hatches open or closed. All small details such as pistol ports and access hatches are separate and may be assembled open or closed.
The running gear here is a mixture of =93Smart Kit=94 bogies and wheels with some of the early kit suspension components such as the armored covers included.=93Magic Track=94 with 144 links per side of friction-fit tracks are provided, but as I noted with that kit they are =93handed=94 with the pin heads on the inside and the =93keepers=94 on the outside. They are bagged separately - always remember left side bag - left, right side bag - right. A jig for setting =93droop=94 is also included.
The applique for the upgraded Ausf. D comes on two new dedicated sprues, one for the hull and one for the =93schuertzen=94 on the turret. Brackets and small bits from the Sturmpanzer IV early are included to provide some of the other bracketing as well. The turret is apparently new to this kit (a D shell engineered to fit on the F =93Smart Kit=94 parts) and the =93schuertzen=94 is commendably thin.
A total of three different vehicles are covered in the painting and markings section. They include Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1944 (green and red-brown spots over sand); NSKK, Germany 1943 (sand with =93NSKK=94 and 5D on fenders); and 26th Panzer Division, Italy 1944 (sand overall with no markings). The Cartograf decal sheet very small and targeted.
Technical assistance was provided by Notger Schlegendal, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.
Overall, while I admit to not being able to verify if the kit has the right gun or not, it is a striking variant with the old hull, lots of applique, and the long-barreled gun.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell