Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H

[Markus Lack]

Hey Guys,
it feels like it´s been ages since I posted something here...
Anyways, this is my latest build, DML´s latest pre-zimmed kit, the late Ausf.H.
Most of you know about the quality of these kits and since I´m a bit short of time lately, I decided to build this pretty much ootb, with the exception of:
an Armorscale barrel,
RB coax MG,
ABER RO MG,
Friultracks,
Modellbauwelt Bliestal Antenna,
some LionRoar tool handles (easier than trying to thin out the ones that are molded on),
Bronce Wingnuts (I never liked the DML ones),
and, as usual, a Tasca Jerry can.
The figure comes from Tristar with a Hornet head and hand.
I still haven´t decided if I will include more guys, some all hatches are still only a friction fit.

This is the one I´ll try to depict, a 12.SS vehicle during the battles in Normandy.

[Jamie Tainton]

Nice to see ya posting here Markus- good to have ya aboard.
I see you thinned down the plastic supports for the external armour?

[Tim Coulson]

A very nice clean build Marcus.

I look forward to seeing it painted.

Tim

[Markus Lack]

Thanks a lot Jamie and Tim, glad you like it!

No James, I used the supports straight from the box. DML managed to make them amazingly thin. In fact, I doubt PE would be an improvement over them or the skirts themselves. I might thin down the brackets on the mudguards, now that you mention it though...
The kit really is a dream in plastic and I can´t believe how far DML went over the last couple of years. Even the zimm looks spot on. The only thing I didn´t like is the Zimmerit under the spare tracks, but I decided to leave it as I doubt I would have been able to remove it without messing it up.

[Laurent Moitrot]

Markus. Nice build so far. Do tou mean they put Zimmerit on the glacis, under the spare track lnks ?

[Markus Lack]

Thanks a lot Laurent.
Unfortunately DML depicted Zimmerit under the spare tracks in front of the RO and Driver. I know, there is still some debate whether or not there was some under them in real life, but somehow I really doubt it.
Do you have a clear wartime shot that shows this are clearly? I couldn´t find a single one.

[Laurent Moitrot]

Sorry for the delay Markus.
No war time pic but a much more interestiong one. I'll post it later today.

[GunnarBaeumer]

Great theme and built Markus!
As I am also short on time, I build mainly OOB at the moment. These Dragon kits build into very beautyful kits.
And once they are painted, one won´t recognize any missing PE parts!

Phantastic stuff. Thanks for sharing
Gunnar

[Laurent Moitrot]

Markus.
No war time pics but close observation of the surviving Pz IVs available.
The brackets that hold the spare track links are soldered directly on the glacis as seen here :



You will then notice there is no room available for Zimmerit + the track links. I checked on this first one and can tell you the fitting is very tight. Not 5 mm allowance to fix the metal bars that hold the links.
You then end up with this solution :



Now some samples seem to be there only to bother us such as this StuPa :



You'll notice the brackets seem to be soldered over the Zimmerit paste, the paste is not put "around" the brackets.
I now wonder how can one solder metal brackets on a non metallic paste ?
It doesn't make sense to me.
This StuPa is not original and I do not think the Zimmerit coat is (but I'll ask).
plus the links are not fixed completely.
This one looks like dummy to me.

[Markus Lack]

Fantastic pics Laurent, thanks a million!
I fully understand your point, but I wasn´t quite sure about the brackets for a while.
I keep asking myself a question, weren´t the supports welded in place before the Zimmerit was applied?
Since welding is part of my job, I just can´t see why they would weld them in place after the Zimmerit was applied.
If I remember correctly, most of the fittings were welded in place before the application, so why should there be an exception with the brackets?
I don´t know how heat resistant Zimmerit really was, but we shouldn´t forget that it gets quite hot while welding (ask my right hand about that LOL) and I would think that the paste wasn´t that resistant.
Like I said, I´m neither sure, nor an expert on this point, I was just asking myself questions .
I hope you don´t get me wrong mate...

Gunnar,
awesome to see you here!
I fully understand your point, those Smart Kits are great kits for everyone who is short on time.
What are you working on at the moment?