I have been pouring through my refs for my next Pz IV H build and I can' t find conclusive evidence of where the zim was applied. I assume that most of it was applied in the field so their was no standardization but I can't see through (all I want for Xmas is x-ray vision) the turret or hull schurzen to see the zim. Does anyone know if zimmeret was applied to the whole turret and hull?

Thanks and merry xmas

Branden

Hi Branden,

No, Zimmerit was apllied at the factory, and rearly ( if at all) in the field. Some field work shop may have repaired damaged areas, but not completly covered vehicels from scratch. As for the application, as a rule only vertical or near vertical surfaces where covered, as on horizontal surfaces any mines or bombs whould lay down anyway. Fenders and other thin metal fittings where not supposed to be covered. On some photo's I've seen all surfaces are covered, including the lower hull sides and fenders. The Skirts where not covered as a rule, but I have seen photo's with zimmerit on the skirts.

So in a nut shell, Zimmerit was factory applied to all vertical or near vertical surfaces to standard patterns.
However, this being German AFV's, most other options are possible as photographic evidence shows.
I'm in work at the moment, otherwise I could have added some links and references for you...

I just realised that I called the mudguards 'fenders'..... darn the intranet...

Cheers
Henk

Thanks Henk,

Yeah, I have a few references, and I couldn't really find a pattern that was standard. Most of the pics I have are from the Eastern front and some have zimmeret on the hull schurzen, some on the turret schurzen, some on both. Some have zimmeret on the schurzen but not on the back of the hull and a few have zimmeret on the mudflaps and entire front of the lower hull.

The probelm I am having is that there is no consistency and because of the schurzen I can't see the turret or the actual hull.

If it helps I will be doing a Pz IV H in Panzer Lehr in Caen.

Cheers

Branden

I just zimmed mine. What I can confirm is....on hull the lower half front, the glacis plate and the upper portion on the rear where the cable goes. Sometimes on the lower section rear below the exhaust system. I have occasionally seen it applied to the fender tops as well.(Up to the part where they can be folded back ) On the turret the only place I have ever seen it is on the gun mantlet. I have never seen it on the turret schurtzen and rarely applied to the side schurtzen and then obviously very crudely.

Hi,

I have a book or two that shows a Mk IV in Normandy with zimm on the whole front of the turret but not on the turret sides, but on the turret's Schutzen.

I'lol try to find it and write which book.

Standard Catalog of German Military Vehicles isbn 0-87349-783-x pg 69 - 73
Some good photos of the Zim, however can't confirm if the turret schurzen was zim'd or not
Sides and front of turret it appears used a vertical pattern.
Vertical and near vertical forward surfaces - horizontal pattern
front mudflaps horizontal pattern, and looks like first panel behind mudflaps was also zim'd in the same pattern.

Can't tell for sure but one pic maybe showing horizontal surface in front of turret zim'd as well

Early H had no zim...

Here's a pix of the new 1/48 Ausf J with zimmerit:
1/48 Ausf J with zimmerit

The cover photo for Achtung Panzer #3 (covering the Panzer IV ) iirc shows zimm on the turret front face and on the turret skirt that is visable in the nearly head on picture.

Mike

Watched the TANKS! shows on History channel Canada yesterday and there was a shot of a PZ IV with Zimm on the hull shurzen.


Martyn