Mark Nicodemus shares with us a review of the Zvezda Panzer IV Ausf. E in 1/35th scale.

Read the Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hey Mark, so how does this kit compare with -say- the Dragon kit? This would give the readers a basis rather than a step-by-step on the instructions. I need to know if the kit is worth buying and how it compares with whatever else is on the market.
Thanks.

That would be nice. As it stands, I am not seeing enough here to pull me away from the Dragon Pz IV's.

The review is a "stand alone" look at the kit only. Both Dragon kits , 6264 (not good) and 6301 (much better), are reviewed on this site. So, I was not interested in duplicating work.

A comparison review also requires that I have both kits so that it can be done properly. I don't have the Dragon kits, so a comparison review is not possible. I'm not going to write something based on a guess of the other kits parts based on pictures from another writer's review.

The Dragon kits have a much higher part count and include PE and a metal barrel. The Zvezda kit is more basic and does NOT have PE or metal parts. They are targeted at different markets, in my opinion. Dragon for the more advanced modeler. Zvezda for the less advanced modeler.

If you already have the Dragon kit, then there is no reason to get the Zvezda version. For someone who doesn't have either and is looking to pick between the two, you now have a choice based on complexity. Choice is always a good thing.

Looks like a nice easy enjoyable build and not overly labor intensive. I'll probably get it after I sell off my Tristar Pzkpfw IV D.
Definitely a fitting replacement for the old Tamiya Pzkpfw IV D as opposed to an alternative to Dragon or Tristar early Pzkpfw IV.

The E is not a replacement for a D; there are obvious external differences.

Actually to be totally pedantic the "E," was the replacement production type for the "D" since it is the succeeding letter on this case indicating the next variant in a series.

So logically it is the literal replacement for the preceding type. So in real life it was the replacement and in my case fulfills my requirement for a 1941 era Pzkpfw IV.

I already have two "D" because I wanted to do the various differences of one from France, Russia versus Africa. Instead I'll do an "E" for Russia and the markings in the kit are very similar to the ones in the movie Panfilov's 28 Men.

And after my eye surgeries I just can't see putting together all the bits in the Tristar kit.

Yes, that was technically pedantic. But in light of the fact you already have the D covered, then the issue is resolved.

Hi Mark

You say in your review comments that you can get the more complex Dragon kit for the same money. This surprises me but maybe its different where you are. Here in the UK Dragon kits are much more expensive than Zvezda's.

the exception is the Ausf D Platz kit which is greatly simplified but can be had for about £35 - £40, and which I suspect is aimed at the same market.

The two Dragon kits, 6264/6301, are in the $40-50 range at some on-line shops, same as the Zevzda kit. Pricing around the world is so different, that I never put specific numbers in my reviews.

I would buy this just to check out how they are coming along as a company. As for comparing Dragon to them...is that comedy relief?
This company were in the same boat as Ark Models, Eastern Express ,Alan...etc....but they have created some new molds I hear. So...I would be curious. I have built kits from all these companies....what I like to buy from them are trucks mostly...

Not as daft as it seems. Their King Tiger is produced using the older Dragon molds