This entirely new tooling of the Panzer IV Ausf E, represents Dragon’s first model of an early production Panzer IV. While, the Panzer IV was the workhorse for the German Panzer divisions during WWII, it is only this year that first rate 1/35 models of the early versions have become available. Like with many of Dragon’s other recent releases the model is very comprehensive, displays considerable attention to small detail and offers the flexibility to build three different versions of the Panzer.

This model contains the parts and instructions to build the Panzer IV in one of three versions:

• Early production Ausf. E, which does not have additional frontal and side armour.
• Late production Ausf. E, which has the additional frontal and side armour that was introduced as a result of combat experience during the Polish invasion.
• ”DAK” version which is a late production Ausf. E, that was converted to “tropen” by installing hatches with ventilation slots and an increased fan speed. Approximately 10 Panzer IV E underwent this conversion.

Approximately 200 Ausf E were built from October 1940 to April 1941. Tom Jentz’s Panzer Tract volume 4 on the Panzer IV contains further technical details and 1/35 scale plans by Hilary and is recommended.

Contents

This model contains in excess of 1,000 parts including several frets of photo etch, pre formed metal parts, magic tracks, brass ammunition and a metal barrel. This kit share no parts with Dragon’s 1990s releases of later production Panzer IVs. The layout follows that of Dragon’s other recent Panzer kits, such as the Tiger II, with a one piece tub hull, large frame part for the upper hull, detailed breakdown of the suspension and one piece for the of turret shell. Photo-etch and pre-formed metal are used for much of the fine detail. In many cases where PE parts are included, a simpler plastic only option is available. For example the kit includes one-piece spades axes with the claps moulded on, as well as PE clasps and alternative tools that are moulded without the clasps. If assembled using all PE and other optional features, including the interior turret detail, this kit will be rewarding for both experienced modellers and those wishing a large project. Others may elect to use some of the injection plastic options and to overlook some of the interior detail. This flexibility, and the fact the underlying kit is designed to fit together smoothly, ensures that this kit has broad appeal and is suitable for intermediate modellers.

Detail on the parts is crisp and in general the ejector pin marks and sink holes well positioned so as to be hidden or on the sprue.

The instruction sheet is a 10 page foldout format with the steps depicted using black, white and blue line drawings. While the use of alternative parts is clearly presented, I would recommend carefully reading over the sheet in advance.

Turret with interior detail

The turret is the most detailed I’ve seen included in the box with a Panzer IV and includes much interior detail which would normally be associated with aftermarket resin sets. Key features include:

• Detailed Interior gun assembly with catcher for spent cases and coaxial MG with hollowed muzzle.
• Choice of injection plastic Kwk37 L/24 gun with muzzle rifling or turned metal gun without rifling. The plastic barrel appears to be slide molded and does not have a visible external seam.
• Turret turntable with anti-skid tread on floor.
• Hollowed out undercut on the underside of the turret and toothed turret ring.
• Seats for the commander, loader and gunner.
• Interior detail for the commander' cupola which includes clear plastic vision blocks.
• Photo etch is used for small detail such as the ribbing inside the stowage box and some hinges.
• Most hatches and turret ports can be positioned open or closed including the commander hatch, side hatches (which have interior detail and clear plastic vision blocks), vision flaps (also with clear plastic parts) on the turret sides, pistol port, signal ports, mantlet vision port, and the storage bin.

Hull with workable suspension

The lower hull is equally detailed and includes numerous alternative parts including two different hulls (see first photo), a choice of fenders, workable suspension and the option of the supplementary bolted on armour fitted to late vehicles including the DAK “tropen” version.

• Both hulls are one-piece tubs. One hull is for the earlier type and the other the later production type with the supplementary side armour. Both hulls feature considerable detail on the underside.
• The side fenders have anti-skid pattern on both the upper and lower surfaces. One pair of fenders has holes for the tools in their factory positions and the other has not holes, which will suit those modelers wishing to model a vehicle with repositioned tools or to use PE clasps. The fenders are fairly thin for injection plastic and have the lip (fold) on the outer edge.
• The front and rear fenders are separate pieces and can be modeled positioned folded up.
• The road-wheels have considerable small detail including separate rubber tyres which allow for painting of the rubber independent of the wheel rims. The 'Continentau' (you can slice of half the “U” is you really wish) logo is cast onto the tyres’ sidewall.
• The rear idler mounts detail feature small welds and the adjusting nuts.
• The rear idlers feature slide moulding for the main casting with photo-etch for the outer stiffening ring on the spokes. Alternative all injection plastic rear idlers are also provided.
• The final drive housing includes the external bolts that held in place and if the housing is left of the internal detail is visible, which offer potential for dioramas featuring a Panzer IV being repaired or left abandoned.
• Two sets of on-vehicle tools are provided of which one has the clamps moulded on for easy of assembly (and works with the fenders with the predrilled holes) and the other set has no clamps and is intended to be used with the PE clamps.
• Choice of spare road wheel mounting being simple metal frames (pre-shaped metal provided) or the curved bins which hare built from PE and preformed metal parts.
• Detail around the driver and radio operators splash guards which includes the tabs where these guards were screwed to the upper hull. At the risk of nit picking these tabs appeared slightly over-scale.
• Choice of standard (i.e. intended for use in Europe) engine deck or the DAK "tropen" engine deck which had ventilation slots. PE parts are provided to add the grills which went underneath the slots.

Tracks

The tracks included are the pre-cut injection plastic 'magic track" style. They have open guide horns and are "handed" in that separate left and right side tracks are provided. The difference being which side of the link the head of the track pin faces out on. To avoid mix-ups each set has its own plastic bag and is moulded in a slightly different shade of gray. The links snap together and for quick assembly and whole run can be assembled in minutes; before you apply glue to the assembled track run. A small injection mark is on each side of the guide horns and if you wish to remove them they can be swiftly scraped off using a hobby knife (in practice you would only need to remove the outer mark as the inner mark is hidden by the guide horn). According to Tom Jentz in Panzer Tracts these links were 38cm wide with 40cm track pins. The kit link compare favourably scaling up to a 39.5cm wide track pin and a 38cm wide link (some references state the tracks were 36cm wide with 38 pins).

Accessories

A diverse range of mixed media accessories are provided including:

• Assorted preformed metal for hull detail such as tow cable hooks, two metal cables for front and rear lights and the spare wheel mounts.
• Clear plastic parts for the periscopes and numerous vision blocks.
• 240mm twisted wire cable and injection plastic eyes for tow cable.
• Three jerry cans with PE for the jerry can rack and the cans’ centre welded join.
• Cactus made from Dragon styrene
• A "Generation 2" General Guderian figure. This officer figure was the stocky build and a tailored officers coat reminiscent of many photos of Heinz Guderian who was a prominent general in the German Panzer forces. The figure is standing while holding a cane. He wears a peaked officers cap and as a choice of the black hob nailed calf length boots as would be worn in the field or the dress boots which had a flat sole and would be worn away from the front line. The figure is broken down into about 20 plastic parts including separate parts for the face, collar and top of the great coat plus small PE parts are provided for varying badges, shoulder boards and insignia.

Decals

Two new waterslide decal sheet by Cartograf are included and provide markings for the 10 vehicles suggested on the painting and marking guide. All schemes are specific as to unit, location, time and production type and a quick check confirmed the accuracy of several schemes. The decals provide a diverse range of unit insignia, Balkan crosses (7 types) and a mix of turret numbers including several in less common styles such as hand painted yellow for 20 Panzer Division on the Eastern Front in 1941 (vehicles “64” and “65”). Other schemes are for 11 Panzer Division who had the ghost emblem and three vehicles from the Afrika Korp. All three version of the DAK’s palm tree emblem require you to paint in the centre bar of the political symbol. Overall the decal sheet/painting guide appears to have been properly researched and offers modelers an interesting range of subjects.

Recommendation

Not only has the Dragon Panzer IV Ausf. E filled an important gap in 1/35 WWII scale models, it has also set a new benchmark for Panzer IV kits. The carefully chosen use of multiple medias and the flexibility offered for modellers to choose their own degree of challenge, such as the use of PE or injection plastic parts ensure that this Panzer IV has wide appeal. Definitely recommended.

Thank you to Paul Owen for the excellent photo comparing the two hulls.

Thank you to Dragon Models for the review sample.

Review and other photos by Neville Lord.

User Contributed Notes