1:35 Pz.KPfw. IV Ausf E

The real subject

The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E is one of the early production versions of the German medium tank of the Second World War. Its turret carried a short 7.5 cm gun with a barrel 24 calibers long, meant above all for firing at field fortifications and area targets. The early versions with the short barrel hold a special place among builders, because they differ markedly from the later machines with the long gun.

What the set contains

These are photo-etched metal parts in 1:35 scale. Photo-etching makes it possible to produce items at a thickness that injection-molded plastic cannot come close to, so it suits fenders, guards, grilles, brackets and small fittings. The parts are held on a common fret and are separated from it gradually as the build goes on. The exact list of items and the order of assembly are given in the manufacturer's instructions; they also show which parts of the kit have to be sanded away before fitting.

Building and painting tips

Separate the items with a sharp blade on a hard surface, not with sprue cutters, which crumple the thin sheet. Make the bends along the pre-pressed grooves, ideally in a bending tool or between two blades. Metal is joined with cyanoacrylate glue, applied in only a tiny amount on the tip of a wire. Degrease the surface before painting and use a primer meant for metal, as otherwise the shade will not hold on smooth sheet.

• thin-walled items that a plastic kit cannot offer
• separating with a sharp blade, bends along the pre-pressed grooves
• joints with a tiny amount of cyanoacrylate glue
• a primer for metal before the shade itself

Who it is for

The set suits builders with experience of fine work and the patience for small parts. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.