New Smart Panzer IV J

¹⁄35

Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 06:10 PM UTC

Dragon Models has released news of a new Panzer.Bef.Wg.IV Ausf.J Smart Kit. I know that many will be thinking “not another Panzer IV”, but there is appeal to the Panzer IV which keeps them coming and it has zimmerit.

Dragon Models may take flak for their German World War Two obsession, but let’s be honest here in that for the most part they have cornered that area of the market. I am aware that there have been some questionable releases of late from them in this area. This future release offers the Dragon Zimmerit and so that adds to its appeal. Below is what Dragon Models has to say about this product.

Dragon offers a complete lineup of the popular Panzer IV family tree in 1/35 scale, but the company is gradually filling in some of the smaller gaps with special variants. This is the case with the newest Panzer IV kit from Dragon, an Ausf.J command tank. In fact, Ausf.J was something of a retrograde from the Ausf.H as construction was simplified to speed up production as the end of the war loomed and as materials became scarce. The Panzerbefehlswagen IV (Pz.Bef.Wg.IV) was a dedicated command tank with additional radio sets installed, mounting racks, transformers, extra antennas and an auxiliary electrical generator. At the same time, ammunition stowage had to be reduced to 72 rounds to house the extra communications gear. A total of 17 Pz.Bef.Wg.IV vehicles were built on the Panzer IV Ausf.J chassis in August-September 1944, while another 88 command tanks were based on other refurbished chassis.

This 1/35 scale plastic kit features a number of newly tooled parts needed just to recreate the Pz.Bef.Wg.IV Ausf.J. One example is a brand new antenna stowage box on the right side of the hull. To accommodate this new box, two side skirt brackets had to be redone as well. Furthermore, there are new photo-etched metal parts to represent various antenna mounting plates, as well as a new rack on the hull side for stowing spare track links. Additionally, there are two separate cupola designs, modelers are able to choose which version they want to employ on their particular command tank. For those model-makers wanting to take command of a new Panzer IV project, this Pz.Bef.Wg.IV Ausf.J is a timely release!

6823 - 1/35 - Pz.Bef.Wg.IV Ausf.J -Smart Kit

Click Star to Rate

Currently /5 Stars.
1
2
3
4
5

7 readers have rated this story.

Get Daily Updates

Get a daily email with links to all our latest news, reviews, and features.

Comments

russamotto

I like the pz. IV, and it is convenient for me to have the zimmerit already molded on. Magic tracks are very nice but I can deal with the DS tracks. With the limitations on my modeling time right now this kit would be an ideal subject. I just wish the figure was included.

JUL 31, 2015 - 01:07 AM

GeraldOwens

Dragon kits with molded Zimmerit always include the belt style tracks. It's a marketing decision. The assumption is, the hairy chested individualists who prefer to do their own Zimmerit also want indie link track. Those who want a quick build want the Zimmerit molded on and the tracks easy to install, so they get DS band-style track. There are exceptions to this rule--indie link Sherman tracks required too many parts, and Dragon could never get the track pins to fit snugly enough into the connectors to make them a press-fit, and the DS tracks actually look better (they are slide molded so the end connectors have edge detail as well). Shermans had live track, which shouldn't sag, anyway. Another exception was the Tiger, where the hollow guide teeth couldn't be molded on the Magic Tracks unless they were attached separately, whereas Dragon can mold them hollow using the soft DS plastic.

JUL 31, 2015 - 08:00 PM

edmund

Just can't make everybody happy can you ?

JUL 31, 2015 - 08:02 PM

Bravo1102

And for those of you with a nostalgic bent this is the vehicle the aged Monogram (but recently re-issued) 1/32 Pzkpfw IV was based on.

JUL 31, 2015 - 08:38 PM

bombertom

At least this isn't another Tiger or StuG. LOL....

AUG 01, 2015 - 03:11 PM

Tojo72

Acually if your interested,they have two new African Tigers coming out,#6820 and 6608 I received the 1st and pre ordered the 2nd.

AUG 01, 2015 - 03:41 PM

retiredyank

Wow! This is the first Panzer III/IV from Dragon that I have absolutely no desire to build.

AUG 01, 2015 - 03:56 PM

Cantstopbuyingkits

Dragon kits with molded Zimmerit always include the belt style tracks. [/quote] They've done zimmerited version of then King and Jagdtiger tanks, and none of those two tanks have [thankfully] had a release by them with belt type tracks included. I think this is what you were trying to say.

AUG 02, 2015 - 12:01 AM

Tojo72

The henschel King Tiger has been re-released with DS.The original had Magic Tracks though. When you see the Magic Tracks included with the Zimm version of the Porsche Jagdtiger,you will wish they had DS,the indie tracks require glueing 5 pieces to make two links.Im really not sure how that can be done.

AUG 02, 2015 - 03:19 AM

Go to Forum Topic

THIS STORY HAS BEEN READ 10,158 TIMES.

Photos

Helpful Tip

Click image to enlarge

Dragon Models Reviews	MORE
Panzer IV Ausf G. by Cody K
Bergepanther mit Aufgesetztem by Andrew Jerome
IJA Type 97 by Russ Amott
M3 Halftrack by Pete Becerra \| of 2 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Sd.Kfz 251/1D by Jesse
IDF Magach 3 w/ ERA by Sebastian Schoof
StuG.III Ausf.F by Matthew Lenton
M67A2 by Federico Collada
King Tiger with Zimmerit 1/35t by Karl Flavell
Sdkfz 250/4 mit zwilling MG34 by Karl Flavell
M752 LANCE Missile Launcher by Jon Arnold
Sd.Kfz 250/7 by DJ Judge
T54E1 Build by Shawn \| of 1 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Vollkettenaufklärer 38(t) by Talal Mashtoub
Jagdpanzer IV A-0 by Adam Mann