OK, I have the old Italeri PzKfw IV Ausf. F1, F2, G kit (#217) and I wanted to replace the vinyl kit tracks rather cheaply. I found a set of Academy tracks (#1357) for the PzKfw IV, suitable for all late Mk. IVs. Is the F1/F2/G a late Mk. IV?

BTW it looks like a decent set that includes 224 links, two sprockets and two different types of idler wheels.

YES!
These variants used the wide tracks (40cm) so you can use it with all late models of Panzer IV, from ausf F to ....
Good luck!

Hello Rob,
I am looking at a set now. This set of track has ice grousers (the little diagonals on the track face). These can be used on a "G" and after. But I would stay with the kit drive and idler wheels. The ones that come with this set are for H, J, StugIV and all the later variants with the anti-aircraft etc.
HTH

Rob,I could be wrong here But I believe that the Academy Panzer IV tracks are designed for the Tamiya and Academy sprockets I don't think they will fit on the Italeri sprocket Be sure to test fit first

You may be right since the sprocket that comes with the set has the "hex nut" shaped mounting hole. Of course inclusion of the sprocket may solve the problem.

Another question. I noticed in my new Scale Armor II book that some of the PzKfw IV hulled kits have center guide teeth that are hollow and others are solid. Now I know it would be easy but tedious to drill out all the center guides, but is this necessary? Again, my PzKfw IV references are limited to the New Vanguard book, maybe the Squadron Panzer Color series.

Rob,the very late Panzer IV track links didn't have hollow guide teeth Such as ones on a Panzer IV Ausf J Maybe some of the late Ausf H's may have had those type of tracks as well
I may have a spare set of indy links laying around They're from a DML Panzer IV Ausf F1 They should fit on the Italeri Sprocket Shoot me an E-mail if your interested Free of charge
[email protected]

This might help you Rob
http://www.chez.com/mythicpanzers/Panzer_!_Le_Mythe/Panzers/2-MediumPanzers/2-Pz.Kpfw_IV.html

Hi Sabot.

DML make indy links for PzIII & IV (same tracks) in early (36cm), and later versions (40cm). There are several different types of links that could fit your Pz IV. If you model it as an F or G, it is very unlikely to have tracks with solid guide horns unless it survived to 1944. You have some options. First, you could drill out all the guide horns on the Academy tracks, but they are wrong for a PzIV F or G, because the ice cleats weren't on the hollow guide horn tracks. Option 2 is to get hold of a set of DML early 40cm tracks. These are molded with a depression in the guide tooth that can either be drilled out (BORING!! TEDIOUS!!) or painted with some shading to give the illusion of a hole. OR, you could cake the tracks in mud, and be happy with that solution!!

For some reason molding hollow guide horns is more difficult. I gather it would mean more spoiled sprues, and a raise in price to adjust for that. Some companies seem to provide us with hollow guide horns anyway, and part of that depends on the structure of the tracks. Anyway,I think your most accurate cheap solution is to buy/trade for some DML tracks included in the early PzIV or Pz III kits.

The expensive solution is ModelKasten or Fruilmodel tracks with hollow guide horns!!

Cheers
Andy

Rob,
The Dragon/DML tracks to use are kit #3811 "40cm Early Version Tracks" The PzIV should use 99 to 100 links per side. These links have a shallow indent to represent hollow guide horns. Careful dry brushing should accenuate the illusion
I have 3 track sprues(with 80 links per sprue) that I traded to a guy in the club for a set of Italeri PzIV tracks. He didn't want to do the indy-links.
PM me your snail mail address and I'll mail them out to you.