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For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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Review
Border: Border Models Pz.Kpfw.IV G
CMOT
Staff MemberEditor-in-Chief
ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2019 - 03:07 AM UTC




Read the Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
vettejack
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Florida, United States
Joined: November 23, 2012
KitMaker: 1,277 posts
Armorama: 1,254 posts
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 - 01:47 AM UTC
I have this bad boy ordered. Although it will be some time before I get to build it, at least it will be in the stash. Getting back to WW2 modeling roots because of this kit, I know I will step right into exquisite detail when I do.
SpeedyJ
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Bangkok, Thailand / ไทย
Joined: September 17, 2013
KitMaker: 1,617 posts
Armorama: 1,150 posts
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 - 02:40 AM UTC
Directly checked after reading this review for availability. Free shipping from Hong Kong US$39.88, should give it a try. Don't know if that is pricy, looks a very reasonable offering to me.
Nice review Daren! Thanks for the hint.

Kind regards,

Robert Jan
Taeuss
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Manitoba, Canada
Joined: January 03, 2016
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 3,778 posts
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 - 07:27 AM UTC
I also have this one on order and am looking forward to what might be thought of as the Next Gen Panzer IV kit. I have conflicted emotions concerning the awesome Dragon "Mega kits" from ten years ago but really hate the overly-complex instructions and assemblies that seem to be subdivided to start with only to up the parts count bragging right. Poor engineering is not overcome through sheer numbers. Anyways, looking forward as well to what Border's next kit will be!
ctkwok
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Alabama, United States
Joined: May 21, 2018
KitMaker: 197 posts
Armorama: 183 posts
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 - 12:21 PM UTC
I'm not sure about mega kits but Dragin's smark kit Panzer IVs were pretty great kits and not really overly complex. This BM kit gets the benefits of improvements in molding and design technologies, as well as learning from the hindsight from an existing design, it better be better.
M4A1Sherman
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New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 - 08:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I also have this one on order and am looking forward to what might be thought of as the Next Gen Panzer IV kit. I have conflicted emotions concerning the awesome Dragon "Mega kits" from ten years ago but really hate the overly-complex instructions and assemblies that seem to be subdivided to start with only to up the parts count bragging right. Poor engineering is not overcome through sheer numbers. Anyways, looking forward as well to what Border's next kit will be!


My guess would be another one of the different Pz.IV Ausfuehrung/types... That would probably be the most logical step after this one, yes..? If I had MY way it would be a WWII US M... Never mind...
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,808 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - 12:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I also have this one on order and am looking forward to what might be thought of as the Next Gen Panzer IV kit. I have conflicted emotions concerning the awesome Dragon "Mega kits" from ten years ago but really hate the overly-complex instructions and assemblies that seem to be subdivided to start with only to up the parts count bragging right. Poor engineering is not overcome through sheer numbers. Anyways, looking forward as well to what Border's next kit will be!


My guess would be another one of the different Pz.IV Ausfuehrung/types... That would probably be the most logical step after this one, yes..? If I had MY way it would be a WWII US M... Never mind...


Actually, they are supposed to be doing a Leo 2 A5/A6 next. I'm actually happy about this PZ IV because competition is a good thing, but I feel your pain.
M4A1Sherman
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New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 09:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I also have this one on order and am looking forward to what might be thought of as the Next Gen Panzer IV kit. I have conflicted emotions concerning the awesome Dragon "Mega kits" from ten years ago but really hate the overly-complex instructions and assemblies that seem to be subdivided to start with only to up the parts count bragging right. Poor engineering is not overcome through sheer numbers. Anyways, looking forward as well to what Border's next kit will be!


My guess would be another one of the different Pz.IV Ausfuehrung/types... That would probably be the most logical step after this one, yes..? If I had MY way it would be a WWII US M... Never mind...


Actually, they are supposed to be doing a Leo 2 A5/A6 next. I'm actually happy about this PZ IV because competition is a good thing, but I feel your pain.


Hi, Randall!

A new Leo 2 A5/A6 would be nice, if BORDER keeps up the good work. It will be interesting to see what BORDER will come up with in the future. I have some of the "older DRAGON Pz.IVs and their derivatives, (all with "Magic Tracks"), in my collection of built and un-built kits. I've always been pleased with them. I MAY buy A/M tracks for the un-built kits eventually, but right now, I have other priorities. I'm thinking of buying one of these BORDER Pz.IV Ausf.Gs, but I'll wait until there is an in-depth build-review before I actually go for it. Money is very tight for me right now because of my recent health problems, so I have to think twice whenever I open my wallet...

On a more positive note, my Mom's Onkel Ludwig served in Pz.IVs throughout WWII, and he had some very interesting anecdotes of his service in France and Belgium. He was captured (On foot; "Kein Benzine", you know...), by US Forces in April, 1945...

Interestingly enough, my Dad who served in the Polish Horse Artillery, was LIBERATED by US Forces at right about THE SAME TIME! HE was captured in Poland by German HEER Truppen in September, 1939, and was promptly handed over to SS Forces, as per the German "policy" regarding the Polish and Russian militaries during WWII. He spent an awful time in captivity at the hands of the SS thugs who ran the camps...
ctkwok
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Alabama, United States
Joined: May 21, 2018
KitMaker: 197 posts
Armorama: 183 posts
Posted: Friday, March 01, 2019 - 03:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text

but I'll wait until there is an in-depth build-review before I actually go for it
This thread is about my in-depth build review and I also had a build blog thread on Armorama. If these are not in-depth enough please let me know what other info I should be including to maximize the utility of my reviews.
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,808 posts
Posted: Friday, March 01, 2019 - 10:52 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I also have this one on order and am looking forward to what might be thought of as the Next Gen Panzer IV kit. I have conflicted emotions concerning the awesome Dragon "Mega kits" from ten years ago but really hate the overly-complex instructions and assemblies that seem to be subdivided to start with only to up the parts count bragging right. Poor engineering is not overcome through sheer numbers. Anyways, looking forward as well to what Border's next kit will be!


My guess would be another one of the different Pz.IV Ausfuehrung/types... That would probably be the most logical step after this one, yes..? If I had MY way it would be a WWII US M... Never mind...


Actually, they are supposed to be doing a Leo 2 A5/A6 next. I'm actually happy about this PZ IV because competition is a good thing, but I feel your pain.


Hi, Randall!

A new Leo 2 A5/A6 would be nice, if BORDER keeps up the good work. It will be interesting to see what BORDER will come up with in the future. I have some of the "older DRAGON Pz.IVs and their derivatives, (all with "Magic Tracks"), in my collection of built and un-built kits. I've always been pleased with them. I MAY buy A/M tracks for the un-built kits eventually, but right now, I have other priorities. I'm thinking of buying one of these BORDER Pz.IV Ausf.Gs, but I'll wait until there is an in-depth build-review before I actually go for it. Money is very tight for me right now because of my recent health problems, so I have to think twice whenever I open my wallet...

On a more positive note, my Mom's Onkel Ludwig served in Pz.IVs throughout WWII, and he had some very interesting anecdotes of his service in France and Belgium. He was captured (On foot; "Kein Benzine", you know...), by US Forces in April, 1945...

Interestingly enough, my Dad who served in the Polish Horse Artillery, was LIBERATED by US Forces at right about THE SAME TIME! HE was captured in Poland by German HEER Truppen in September, 1939, and was promptly handed over to SS Forces, as per the German "policy" regarding the Polish and Russian militaries during WWII. He spent an awful time in captivity at the hands of the SS thugs who ran the camps...


Sorry to hear about your Father.

I think the review here does a good job of explaining this model. I went for it because 39.99 with free shipping was a good deal. Not much of a Leo fan, I'm more interested in that M46.
Bodeen
#026
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: June 08, 2002
KitMaker: 1,744 posts
Armorama: 1,359 posts
Posted: Saturday, May 04, 2019 - 10:36 AM UTC
I got this for $39.99 / free shipping. I didn't get the metal gun barrel. I did get the brass smoke dischargers. It looks like a very nice kit. The PE side schurzen are very well done and to scale. This is next on the bench as soon as I'm done with my Takom Grant. I'm really looking forward to this kit.
AndyRxtra
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: September 05, 2019
KitMaker: 1 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 05, 2019 - 07:44 AM UTC
I'm new to commenting and don't want to come across negatively but borders box is misleading. The kit now only has one barrel (plastic L/48) and no brass smoke candles, these were apparently, only a promo. Wish they would be honest about it, dissapointed but still looking forward to the build!
ctkwok
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Alabama, United States
Joined: May 21, 2018
KitMaker: 197 posts
Armorama: 183 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 05, 2019 - 08:31 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I'm new to commenting and don't want to come across negatively but borders box is misleading. The kit now only has one barrel (plastic L/48) and no brass smoke candles, these were apparently, only a promo. Wish they would be honest about it, dissapointed but still looking forward to the build!


It should still have two barrels on D and J sprues. It will however not have the metal barrel nor smoke dischargers. They were honest about it and they even printed the instructions saying so and I always knew that was the case, but wherever you buy from may not have made it explicit. I mentioned this fact in my review.

This is not going to make you feel better, but the metal smoke dischargers were awful.
johnstone
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Alabama, United States
Joined: September 11, 2017
KitMaker: 77 posts
Armorama: 69 posts
Posted: Monday, March 02, 2020 - 04:56 AM UTC
I'm just a bit into building this kit. Tamiya remains the Gold Standard in instructions. This Border kit leaves A LOT to be desired in that department.
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