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Building a Panzer IVJ - Part 1

The subject for this article is Tamiya’s Panzer IV J (kit # 35181). I’ll be adding Eduard (set #35326) PZ.IV details, (#35181) PZ. IV-H skirt armor and DML individual track links. As is the case with most armor kits today you can spend a lot more on aftermarket parts or you can spend less-it’s up to you. My intentions are to give an overall impression of my techniques for building armor. Many of the techniques I use can be transferred to other types of armor like modern or allied.

Let me preface this article by stating that I am not an expert in German armor. I choose not to limit the scope of my interests to any one period or type of modeling, so I’ll not be commenting on things such as number of bolt heads on the rear hull lip, or angles of turret armor or the like.

I begin by looking over the instructions, as I always do. Once the detail sets arrive I cross check the instructions-marking off parts that will be replaced with p.e. details on the kits instruction sheet. AS the tools would be receiving p.e. straps all the molded on straps and holders were removed and the tools were placed in a small ziplock and tossed in the box ‘till later. Larry chose the scheme so I didn’t have to fuss about what PzKpfw.IV I wanted to build.

©2002 - Text and images by Mike Taylor - All Rights Reserved.