Jagdpanzer IV L/48 Early Production
by Cookie Sewell
Summary
Stock Number and Description |
Dragon Models Limited 1/72 scale Armor Pro
Series Kit No. 7276; Jagdpanzer IV L/48 Early Production |
Scale: |
1/72 |
Media and Contents: |
140 parts (136 in grey styrene, 2 etched
brass, 2 in DS plastic) |
Price: |
USD$11.95 |
Review Type: |
First Look |
Advantages: |
Nice, new kit of this vehicle using DML's
excellent series of Pzkw. IV based kits and parts; single piece etched
brass side skirts bound to be popular |
Disadvantages: |
DS tracks will require adjustment, but
since they cement up using plastic cement should not be a major drawback |
Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended for all German WWII fans |
FirstLook
While the StuG III series of
vehicles provided the Germans with a good all-around weapons system,
the Pzkw. chassis was pretty much at the end of the line for further
stretching, so the Germans then moved to change over to the Pzkw. IV
chassis in late 1943. The initial vehicle, the StuG IV (Sd.Kfz. 167)
was a good all around vehicle, but it was considered something of a
waste as the chassis only carried the same gun found in the turreted
Pzkw. IV models H and J. It also had the same basic problems with
armor protection as the StuG III when used as a tank destroyer.
An alternative version, the Sturgescheutz neuer Art mit 7.5 cm PaK
L/48 auf Fahrgestell Pzkw. IV or Sd.Kfz. 162, was proposed instead
at the same time as the interim StuG went into production. The new
vehicle, more colloquially referred to as the "Jagdpanzer IV L/48"
(as an even more powerful version, designed to make use of the more
powerful KwK 42 7.5 cm L/70 gun, was in the works), entered
production in January 1944 and a total of 769 were built through
November 1944, with changeover to the Jagdpanzer IV/70 beginning in
August 1944. It used much thicker and more heavily sloped armor
protection to assist it in its defined tank destroyer mission.
DML has now produced a kit of this vehicle using a mixture of bits
from other Pzkw. IV kits in its 1/72 stable as well as new sprues.
This is actually the standard production variant with interlocking
hull sections and not the early model or "0-serie" with a rounded
casemate.
The model uses both new molds for the casemate front and the gun
itself, with slide molding providing both a simple barrel as found
on the prototype as well as a muzzle brake for the standard
production versions. (Both the early model mantelet with straight
edge and the production version with scalloped left edge are
provided, so a prototype version may well be in the works as well.)
The muffler also comes with a hollow "slide molded" exhaust pipe.
This kit only comes with the detailed engine deck with separate
doors, which translates as a lot of RP (right puny) parts to go on
it.
Most people will be happy to know that it comes with one-piece side
skirts, either in styrene or etched brass. All of the mounts are
styrene, but it makes it easier to mount either choice rather than
separate sections.
While all hatches are separate parts, there is no interior and only
the most rudimentary internal mounting for the gun assembly.
Markings and finishing instructions are provided for four different
vehicles: Pz.Jg.Abt. 228, 116th Pz. Div, Normandy 1944; Pz.Jg.Abt.
12, 12th Pz. Div., Normandy 1944; unidentified unit, Germany 1945;
and Pz.Gren.Div. "Hermann Goering", East Prussia 1944.
Overall this is another nice kit and goes well with the previous DML
Jagdpanzer IV/70 kit.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to
Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Text and Images by
Cookie Sewell
Page Created 01 March, 2006
Page Last Updated
19 June, 2006
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