Andras Donaszi takes a look at the Zvezda Panzerkampfwagen IV ausf. H (Sd.Kf.z 161/2) in 1/35th scale and shares his thoughts on it.

Congratulations from all of us on getting married.

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Thanks!

Another sad low is that the sprocket is mis-shapen. And since the parts that would have zimmerit are on the same sprue as the skirts, why didn't they just tool zimmerit on them? Only a few of the first ausf H had zimmerit on the skirts but the majority had it on the hull.

This is a better kit than the ancient Italeri and is a fitting replacement for those who would opt for that kit. In many ways it is superior to the Tamiya but it is no where near the league that the new Dragon kits are (as opposed to the still readily available Imperial series/Gunze lineage kits) The link and length tracks look nice and if I can find one cheap I may get this as opposed to another Dragon kit. The Dragon kit, even for an experienced builder like myself, comes near to being obsessive-compulsive overkill. It's not so much a build as it is a long torturous process like a root-canal.

I have had 12 root canals and enjoyed every one of them. Well, except the time that they had to cool the tooth and partially exposed nerve, with liquid nitrogen. Now, that is pain. But, back to the kit. As you pointed out, the tracks are more easily assemble than indi links. I do wonder, however if they will fit other kits, without surgery. It seems that Zvezda is the new Italeri, in market strategy. Marketing to beginners is a must. I have a niece and nephew that are interested, in the hobby. After a couple of snap kits, this my be their first serious build.

This kit turned up at my local store at a price of over $80 (Canadian, but still). Is the age of cheap Zvezda kits gone? I also noticed that the newly packaged KV-2 is priced at $45, but the old one used to be $30.

That's MSRP for you. The new reissue of the Italeri Pzkpfw IV F/G with photo etch and the new link by link tracks is similar in price. Go to eBay and you'll find both in the 30-35 USD range (And some sellers asking $65!)

And I had to resist the temptation to get a Zvezda Pz IV for 19.99 and 10 postage from Lithuania.

I picked up the Italeri for $25 and a PE set for $10, looks like I scored a great bargain! The Zvezda model looks like it needs a lot less work though, but not at more than three times the cost.

when it comes to this company, I buy their trucks motorcycles...but save my $ up to buy better tank kits. Just my 2 cents.

I did not notice sprocket issue; I guess it needs to be replaced from spares or AM. It's annoying, but not game-breaking.


The Zimmerit, however, is a more important one.

Just noticed it

Thank you!