DML 1/35 Panzer IV Ausf.A mit Zusatzpanzer Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

In the late 1930s, German engineers followed the Panzer I and Panzer II light tanks with the Panzer III and Panzer IV medium tanks. The Panzer III was given the role of anti-armor combat while the Panzer IV was assigned to infantry support. The first production version was the Panzer IV Ausf.A (variant A) which was armed with the low velocity KwK 37 L/24 75mm main gun. After producing 35 examples of the Variant A, Krupp shifted production to the Variant B which had a higher horsepower engine and a six-speed transmission versus the five-speed in the Variant A.

Several years ago, DML released the first kit of the Panzer IV Ausf.A which was very nicely detailed and finally addressed the early history of the Panzer IV family. DML has returned with an updated version of the Panzer IV Ausf.A, this time with Zusatzpanzer (supplemental armor). The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on 15 parts trees plus lower hull and turret, one tree of clear parts, one fret of photo-etched details, one fret of Zusatzpanzer parts, and two runs of vinyl track molded in tan.

Some key features of this release are:

• Very detailed chassis and suspension
• Detailed bow machine gun
• Detailed driver's viewport w/choice of open port or periscope
• Positionable crew hatches
• Movable turret
• Detailed turret interior
• Nice exterior details
• Photo-etched supplemental armor plating

Markings are provided for a generic vehicle circa 1940.

This kit has a number of delicate assemblies using small parts to build up drive sprockets, vision ports, etc. This won't be a problem for the experienced modeler who wants to replicate the early combat vehicles that saw service in the early Blitz as well as in North Africa.

My sincere thanks to DML for this review sample!