Dragon offers a pretty complete lineup of the popular Panzer IV family tree in 1/35 scale, but owing to the vehicle’s widespread use by German forces throughout the entirety of WWII, there’s always room for something new and special! Thus, the newest Panzer IV plastic kit from Dragon is an Ausf.D Tropical Version, a type used in combat in North Africa. Production of the Ausf.D commenced later in 1939, with some 248 produced altogether. Improvements included the reintroduction of the hull machine gun and an external mantlet instead of the previously used internal one. Side armor was thickened to 20mm too. The Deutches Afrika Korps (DAK) used it in North Africa though it was soon superseded by more effective longer-gunned versions.
This 1/35 scale kit is a fantastic offering, which adds appeal to the Ausf.D already available in the collection. That particular model released earlier was sophisticated and extremely detailed, though novice modelers may have found it a challenge. However, this Ausf.D DAK version has received the Smart Kit treatment, which means it’s now incredibly easy to assemble. This is obvious when it comes to details such as the road wheels and other parts of the running gear. The end result is a tank that modelers can put together without any fuss, straight from the box. And speaking of the box, the artwork on the lid by Ron Volstad will surely inspire modelers. It shows an impressive scene of the tank in full combat mode. With this illustration before their eyes, modelers will almost feel the sand between their fingers as they plan their next North African diorama scene!
Features
- Authentic Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf.D DAK Tropical Version rendered w/full detail
- Newly tooled antenna w/ delicate detail
- Spare wheel rack w/well-defined wheel
- New Smart Kit Technology for suspension system and road wheels
- Newly tooled sprocket wheels w/ multiple parts
- Turret rendered w/excellent detail
- Realistic mounting ladder made from photo-etched parts
- Well-defined one-piece hull w/side armor
- Lower hull formed from multiple parts for greater detail
- Newly produced one-piece DS tracks
- Side hatches w/hinges can be assembled open/closed
- Pistol port can be shown open/closed
- Storage bin can be assembled open/closed
- Signal port and ventilation cover can be assemble open/closed
- Hollowed-out undercut on turret bottom
- Incorporates toothed turret ring on turret interior
- Turret turntable unit included
- 5-directional slide-molded commander's cupola authentically recreates structural details
- Muffler subtly produced
- Subtle front turret armor and mantlet
- Realistic KwK.37 L/24 gun mimics the original
- Delicate catcher for spent ammo shells
- Accurate rifling gun barrel
- Commander's, loader's and gunner's seats included
- Turntable w/accurate floor pattern
- Vision port w/open/closed option
- Cupola hatches can be assembled open/closed
- Correct driver's vision port can be modeled open/closed
- Both regular and DAK-type engine deck hatches available
- Complete MG w/workable MG ball mount
- Delicate pistol port
- Realistic double-layered air intake
- Direct sighting port included
- Separate front and rear fenders can be posed in a folded-back position
- Slide-molded coaxial MG w/hollow muzzle
- Full coaxial MG Assembly
- Commander's hatch w/interior detail
- Clear parts for vision port sight port sight glass
- Direct sighting port included
- Fuel filler cover has open/closed option
- Towing-eye brackets presented w/multiple parts
- Separate front and rear fenders can be posed in a folded-back position
- Optional bolts for added detail
- Final-drive housing w/details on both sides
- Idler adjuster mountings have accurate details w/gears inside
- Correctly detailed idler wheels w/numerous separate parts
- Astoundingly delicate slide-molded
- On-vehicle tools w/photo-etched clasps
- Injection fenders are made to the thinnest possible dimensions
- Fans and coupling assembled w/multiple parts
- Extendable jack, headlights and tow cables w/hollow ends produced w/subtle detail
