Dragon Military Models 1/35 PzKpfw IV Ausf B Tank w/Snow Plow Kit

Dragon has been slowly populating the family tree of the Panzer IV medium tank in 1/35 scale plastic kits, and it now offers the complete range from the Ausf.A through to the Ausf.J. However, there are numerous variants of interest within this larger family, and one of these is the subject of Item No.6764 – a Panzer IV Ausf.B fitted with a snow plow. The Ausf.B still featured a short-barreled 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 main gun and an MG34 machine gun. A crew of five operated the Sd.Kfz.161 tank, and it saw service in the 1939-40 campaigns in Poland, Norway and France, and also in the Balkans and in Russia from 1941 onwards. A snow plow was very useful for winter combat in places like the Eastern Front, which was subject to extreme temperatures and large amounts of snow that severely hampered mobility.

This 1/35 scale plastic kit builds straight from the box into an accurate Panzer IV Ausf.B, using accurate components from a previous release of this variant. Of course, the snow plow is a brand new element for this particular kit, and it stems from new toolings. The plow easily mounts onto the front of the standard tank. The box-top illustration from Ron Volstad will surely inspire modelers to create a stunning diorama of this ‘armored snow plow’ in action on the snowy Eastern Front. The track links make use of Magic Tracks that are very simple to assemble. Modelers will reap a lot of pleasure after investing in this exciting new plow-equipped German tank!

Features:

• Newly tooled Schneeräumer System Schmidt produced by multiple parts
• Newly designed Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf.B mit Schneeräumer System Schmidt
• Bonus set of fenders w/o locating holes to preserve fender details and offer more customization potential
• Bonus aluminum barrel
• Mounting ladder and track tools produced by photo-etched metal
• Beautifully detailed Kwk 37 L/24 gun w/early antenna deflector
• Slide-molded coaxial MG w/hollow muzzle
• Correct basket for spent ammo cases
• Includes the hollowed-out undercut on the turret bottom
• 5-directional slide-molded commander's cupola authentically recreates structural details
• Commander's hatch w/interior detail
• Clear parts for vision port armored glass
• Vision port w/open or closed option
• Cupola hatches can be assembled open or closed
• Direct sighting post can be made from supplied photo-etched parts
• Signal ports and ventilation hatch cover can be modeled open/closed
• Turret turntable included
• Accurate weld seams on turret
• Mantlet guard can be removed and gun fitted like real vehicle
• Detailed gun muzzle
• Accurate rifling inside gun barrel
• Includes the hollowed-out undercut on the turret bottom
• Side hatches can be assembled open/closed w/interior details
• Hatch hinges allow hatches to realistically swing open
• Driver's hatch and radio operator's hatch w/interior detail and external rubber bump stops
• Hatches and driver's vision port can be assembled open/closed
• Commander's, loader's and gunner's seats included
• Turntable w/accurate floor pattern
• Driver's interior periscope assembly in fine detail
• Front superstructure plate rendered w/details
• Ausf.B engine deck w/round hatch locks
• Hull bottom formed by multiple parts for greater details
• Fuel filler hatch can be assembled open/closed
• Exhaust pipe w/fine detail
• Engine starter crank port w/photo-etched smoke dischargers chains
• Towing eye brackets in extreme detail w/numerous separate parts
• Chain on towing eye brackets made from photo-etched parts
• Muffler made in multiple parts for greater detail
• Separate front and rear fenders can be posed in a folded-back position
• Idler adjuster mountings have the most accurate details possible w/gear inside
• Realistic parting line on rubber rims
• Rubber rims on wheels have accurate width
• Realistically designed road wheels and hubcaps
• Suspension armored covers come as separate parts
• Correctly detailed idler wheels w/numerous separate parts
• Astoundingly delicate slide-molded and photo-etched parts
• Realistic suspension w/multiple components
• Metal wire for lamp electrical wining
• Hooks for tow rope made w/preformed brass rod
• Slide-molded track links w/authentic central guide horns
• Both left and right tracks accurately modeled
• Injected fenders are made to the thinnest possibe dimensions
• Side fenders w/pattern detail on both top and bottom surfaces
• Final-drive housing w/details on both sides
• Sprocket wheels w/breathtaking details are produced by multiple parts
• Additional bolts molded on
• Separate armored cover for final-drive housing
• Road wheels exhibit extreme detail w/separate rubber rims and hubs
• Brass ammo rounds
• Early-style jerry cans w/photo-etched parts
• Both injection-molded on-vehicle tools w/clasps and w/o clasps included
• Extendable jack w/separate parts
• Headlights with clear parts inside
• Tow cable heads have hollow ends courtesy of slide molds
• Accurately designed transmission and steering brake access hatches can be modeled open/closed
• Fans and coupling modeled in several parts to provide interior detail