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.

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Thanks!

Hmmm...must be the August 30, 1944 production run.

Before or after lunch?

before or after Fritz went to use the lavatory?

A J with zimm... OK. Actually, that is both "new" and maybe worthwhile, as all J produced up into SEP 1944 did come with factory zimmerit. So this could be an opportunity to make one of those earlier J without having to do the DIY zimm thing or buy some resin zimm kit.

BUT... And, sadly, seems more and more common now-a-days to find oneself saying "but" with Dragon's newer releases... There is something glaringly WRONG in this kit!

It provides the turret schurzen (great)... but apparently no hull schurzen plates - at least not in evidence on the kit box pics, far as I saw. ALL of these J left the factory with schurzen (in AUG 1944, probably would have been the solid plate and not the later Thoma mesh stuff), and the kit does have the racks mounted for solid plates. It should have those schurzen, and probably about any of these seen in the field would have had them on. IF the D has not included these plates, they of course can be scratched or purchased via AM PE or something, but, given the D's usual inclusion of schurzen in kits where it is warranted, I confess surprise at this omission here.

And this one appears to have the now-standard DS band tracks... That does not add any attraction for me! Phooey!

Bob

That production run was actually very rare, as only 15 were built that day, and of those only 1 made it to the front, where it was promptly lost.

Oh good grief...this is just getting silly..... still so many more subject to be done, and they keep on pumping out this garbage.... pre production run, post preproduction run, past tense production run, pre past tense production run, production run with SN#'s, production run without SN#'s, production run while the sun was shining, production run after the sun went down.....when does it end......????

Hmmmmm,, Fahrgestell Nr 92200. Is that the address & zip code of the factory that produced them??

Here we go again

All these late-war variants and not a single short barrel, Finnish or even Arab Stug.... why?

Its after Wolfgang went to the toilet that this tank was produced. Unfortunately Wolfgang went inside the tank meaning that this vehicle will require Mig's new colour "poop brown" if your installing an historically correct interior

Fahrgestell is something like chasi serial number. So we realy reached a point where Dragon produces a kit of a single existing tank. And where is the promissed M3 Lee/Grant ?

Interesting

dragon another release with no appeal to me at all, spruces from other kits, and of course The Dreaded D S tracks. Another let down, not interested

I want to collect all their zim kits !

yes the zim is the only attraction and if it was late war did it even exist on this variant

Wow, another Pz. IV, where is Stug. III Ausf. E?

If the new-build variants were all delivered in August-September, 1944, most would have had Zimmerit (it was discontinued in late September).

But why the DS tracks? Where is the Magic track?

magic track is labour intensive I think...ds much cheaper, although it could be provided still on the sprue or as an after market item at a cheap price say $8 and they would be doing ok.

That's a very good question.

Oh for heavens sake people if you don't like it don't buy it !

Fahrgestell number 92200? I'll buy it if the Fahrgestell number is on the chassis!

Edmund

Steve H

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.