1:72 Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf H Medium Tank

Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf.H 1:72 - Academy

An injection-molded plastic kit of the German Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf.H medium tank in 1:72 scale from the Korean maker Academy. The kit captures the late, most widely built version of the Panzer IV - the form with the long gun and the characteristic Schurzen side plates on the hull and on the turret. Academy is among the established brands with good detail, and the build in this scale is manageable even for less experienced modelers. The part count and the decal schemes are given on the packaging.

The real subject

The Panzerkampfwagen IV was the backbone medium tank of the German army throughout the Second World War and the only German tank built from the beginning of the conflict to its end. It was originally created as a support machine with a short gun, but with the arrival of the Soviet T-34 and KV it was rearmed with a long-barreled 75 mm gun that gave it back the ability to fight enemy tanks. The Ausf.H version belongs to the late series: it received thicker frontal armor and in service it was routinely fitted with Schurzen side plates, meant to protect the sides of the hull and turret against anti-tank rifles and shaped-charge ammunition. The Ausf.H was built in large numbers and fought on the Eastern Front, in Italy and in Normandy; many machines carried a protective coating of Zimmerit.

Building and painting tips

Start with the running gear and the hull interior before you close it up - there is no reaching them later. Glue the road wheels and return rollers in one plane, so that the tank does not end up sitting crooked. We recommend gluing the Schurzen side plates on only after the hull has been painted, because otherwise it is hard to get a brush or an airbrush underneath them; on the real vehicles whole plates were often missing or bent, so a slight bend looks realistic. Use liquid cement for plastic, a primer before painting, and spray with an airbrush - a Dunkelgelb base with green and brown camouflage. Only weathering completes the impression: a dark wash in the recesses, drybrushing on the edges, scuffed armor and dust or mud pigments on the running gear and the fenders.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of German armored vehicles in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who want the classic Panzer IV in its late form with Schurzen
• Beginners and slightly advanced builders - the build is straightforward
• Builders of dioramas from the Eastern Front and from Western Europe

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.