Dragon Military Models 1/35 PzKpfw IV Ausf J Last Production Tank Smart Kit

The Panzer IV was the mainstay tank of Germany during WWII, with nearly 9,000 produced. It was successively improved throughout its lifetime in the areas of armament and armor, resulting in a number of variants. Interestingly, the final version of this tank was the Ausf.J, which could be considered somewhat as a retrograde design compared to the preceding Ausf.H. This is because the design needed to be simplified to speed up production in order to replace heavy combat losses. Main changes included the removal of the electric turret traverse system, with the turret having to be turned manually. Space was taken up with an auxiliary 200-liter fuel tank that increased the road range to 320km. Pistol and vision ports were removed, while the side skirts were replaced by wire mesh screens. A total of about 435 Panzer IV Ausf.Js were produced in 1945.

Almost all of the components for this tank come from brand new moldings, including upper hull, chassis and side skirts. The side skirts themselves are items worthy of comment. Up till now, this type of side skirt made use of nylon mesh that unfortunately didn’t look wholly authentic. However, this model uses metal mesh that precisely mimics the original. Details on this kit are of the finest standard, and as a Smart Kit, it is finely engineered. To make it even more desirable, Ron Volstad has created the stunning box art for this kit. Thanks to the subject and the high standard of this kit, this Panzer IV Ausf.J variant is a must-have for modelers.

• Newly tooled side-skirt armor w/photo-etched parts produced in metal for scale thickness
• Newly tooled armor plates w/optional photo-etched or plastic spare-track bracket
• One-piece upper hull 2-side slide-molded w/new engine-deck design
• New side-skirt armor plates can be installed separately
• New side fenders w/pattern detail on both top and bottom surfaces
• Newly designed cupola vision blocks can be assembled open/closed
• Extended hull rear w/newly produced handles and hooks for Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J
• One-piece 3-directional slide-molded turret for Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J
• Brackets for side-skirt armor produced w/details
• Realistic return rollers included for Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J
• Turret roof rendered w/turret-skirt armor brackets
• Turret-skirt and side-skirts armor plates can be installed separately
• One-piece lower hull made from slide molds
• Hull bottom fully detailed
• Injection-molded fenders made to thinnest possible dimensions
• Intricate 7.5cm Kw.K40 l/48 gun w/fine details
• Gun sleeve w/delicate weld and bolt detail made from 3-directional slide molds
• Mantlet guard can be removed and gun unloaded as on real vehicle
• Complete gun assembly w/full detail
• Detailed gun muzzle brake
• Stowage bin on turret can be assembled open/closed
• Turret-skirt door and turret-side door can be positioned open/closed
• Air-intake covers have option of injection or photo-etched parts
• Realistic double-layered air intake
• Flame dampening exhaust and reinforced tow bracket included
• Hollowed-out undercut on turret bottom w/toothed turret ring
• Hatches on engine-deck ventilation grill can be assembled open/closed
• Delicate OVM arrangement on fenders
• Rear antenna included
• Delicate ventilation cover w/great detail
• Driver's and radio operator's hatch can be assembled open/closed
• Hatches w/internal detail
• Idler wheels have intricate details
• Optional late style return roller's included
• Road wheels and suspension w/multiple components exhibit crisp detail
• Accurately details idler adjuster mountings
• Extendable jack w/separate parts
• Final-drive housing w/details on both sides
• Separate armored cover for final-drive housing
• Sprocket wheels w/breathtaking detail and multiple delicate parts