I just started to build tamiyas panzer IV j.i plan on detailing with interior,eng modelkastin tracks and pe.I have eduards pe for this kit ,has anyone ever used aber set for this kit.Is it better than the one i have?I also know they have a barrel for this model,anyone ever build this barrel before?Would they have zimm on it?This is my first german model in a long time Any help on these questions would be of great help thanks

Hey Gavin,
If it's a Panzer IV J your building, you don't need to add zimmerit.
The J model was the last version of the Panzer IV produced and the Germans had stopped applying zimmerit to their vehicles by September 1944.
Hence there wasn't any on late model Panthers, Tiger II's, Stugs, etc......
I seem to recall reading somewhere about field reports of zimmerit catching fire being the reason for the Germans discontinuing it's application to their AFV's.

jjumbo

Hi Gavin,

Ahhh, a 'proper' old kit of the Pz IV being improved with AM goodies, I believe this is now known as 'Old Skool'.
Aber or Eduard? well, much depends on your level (or lack) of sanity. The Eduard set offers good and accurate detail, where it's needed, and can be used by most modelers who can work with PE. Aber is a slightly different kettle of fish. If you are looking for extreme detail, look no further. I don't have the Aber set for the Ausf. J to hand, but comparing the sets for the Ausf. B/C, show the Aber set to edge it in detail. But the three part (working if you must) tool clamps are only for the seriously commited... another draw back of the Aber set is that all the parts are cramped in one fret, making removal without disturbing neighbouring parts difficult.
I can't comment on aftermarket barrels for the Ausf. J, as I have only an older OOP barrel (which is more of a curios than something I'll use) , but I would think of Jordi Rubio or Elephant if I would want a replacement. Having said that, the kit barrel is fine, just needs a bit of care.
Are you asking if the Zimmerit is on the barrel ot the rest of the tank? As John has already pointed out, the Ausf J was produced after the application of Zimmerit was discontinued, so no either way.
For the interior I would recommend the CMK interior sets. They are beautiful, and accurate, and made for the Tamiya kit.
And if you only replace one thing on your kit, please make it the tracks... lol

Good luck with your project, I'm planning a similar built, but with sections of the hull cut away, to show of the interior. Still collecting more bits for it. (well, that's my excuse to keep buying Pz IV goodies.... :-) :-) )

Cheers
Henk

At least there was a belief, based on facts or not, among the crews that the zimmerit could catch fire.
On the other hand there could be a better reason for skipping the
zimmerit. It was a coating intended to prevent magnetic shaped charges
from sticking to the tank. These were used by close combat infantry
tank killers, thrown by hand from close distance. The charges had magnets to make them stick to the steel of the tank until they exploded.

The greatest danger of meeting such an attack is when the tank advances into territory held by opposing infantry. When the Germans
were on the retreat this threat became a lot less likely and there
would be less benefit of having the zimmerit. When the whole manufacturing chain was being squeezed to eliminate delays I would guess that they would stop wasting time with zimmerit.
/ Robin

I used one of the CMK interiors on a PzIV of mine. It did fit well, but some of the smaller resin parts were broken when I opened the box (this was for the drivers compartment, & included shell storage, gearbox & track brakes. They are quite pricey, & you would also need the turret interior & engine bay kits (RRP total about £70, but you could probably get them cheaper somewhere).
Did Js really not have Zim at all? Aaagh, I spent ages putting it on mine, & isn't there a Tamiya J with etched Zim, or was that an H? What were the production dates for the J?

Steve,

Production of the Ausf. J started in June 1944, which actually does put the early ones within the Zimmerit application period.. I don't recall seeing a picture of a J with Zimmerit, but if you built an early J, Zimmerit would be feasible. You would have to make sure that you have the right number of return rollers for the relevant model.

Henk

This is a bit of an old wives tale. Zim was added to German AFV's when they were attacking and thus were vulnerable to infantry attacks. In the latter stages of the war, from Sept '44 onwards, the Germans were on the defensive and so usually had Infantry support to deal with the opposing Tank killer/Hunter teams and decided that Zim was not needed.

Regards from the Swamp

Eth

Yes there was Zim on the Js. I pulled out the old and worn copy of Panzers in Normandy and found 4 in the pictures.

The supposed fire hazard is cited in the official documentation that Jentz and Doyle have uncovered in their research. The use of the coating was suspended in September, 1944, while an investigation was launched to see if the allegation was true. Controlled tests on a firing range were unable to get Zimmerit to catch fire, but there was no demand for its reinstatement, so it was simply dropped. The Russians really weren't using large numbers of magnetic mines--they preferred a hollow-charge hand grenade with a rope tail to allow it to strike nose-first, which gave the troops a little stand-off, and of course, they had their 14.5 mm antitank rifles, which could penetrate the side armor of most German vehicles.

Panzer IVJs with Zimmerit, photographed in Normandy and formerly part of 'Das Reich' (marking just visible on the rear tank).



The identifying feature for Ausf Js is the lack of an exhaust for the auxiliary engine, the front tank looks like it has the hole for the exhaust pipe plugged. As an aside, the single schurzen plate on the near tank is pretty impressively battered and holed.

David

Good picture David, thanks.
Also worth noting is the fact that the Zimmerit has been applied to the mudguards. Although not uncommon in itself, it was not specified that it should be applied to mudguards, and skirts and such, as the effect of a magnetic mine on those was negligable. Like wise the Zimmerit was not to be applied to any horizontal surface (hull roof, engine deck, etc.).
Photographic evidence does show that this happend on occasion though.

Cheers
Henk