STUNNING GERMAN TANK DECALS
Echelon has recently re-released some of its older 1/35 markings. Here, we look at its 4th Panzer Division collection for the PzKpfw.IV and PzKpfw.II ‘Luchs’.
It’s fair to say that Echelon Fine Details is something of a boutique decal producer… far from prolific, but the quality and research are usually superb. Several of its older decal collections have now been re-issued, one being Panzerkapmpfwagen IV Ausf.G & Ausf.H – Panzerkapmfwagen II Ausf. L ‘Luchs’ Markings of 4.Pz.Div. (AXT351004).
With various decent 1/35 Panzer IVG/H kits on the market (Dragon, Miniart, Border, Rye Field etc), this sheet offers the opportunity to portray many machines operated by the Wehrmacht’s 4th Panzer Division, including Panzer II Ausf.L ‘Lynx’ light tanks.
Echelon’s excellent instructions suggest ten Panzer IVs and three Panzer IIs, but enough generic markings are also present to help give 4.Pv.Div. identities to plenty of other builds. Some of the decals have been improved/updated for accuracy, too. Notably, the unit’s standing bear insignia comes in white, green, red, yellow and blue versions, and the different regimental badges come in several styles. Generic turret numbers are provided, as well as set groupings for particular tanks represented by artwork on the instructions.
A variety of camouflage is explored here, as well as winter whitewash. Two of the Panzer IV’s are coated with Zimmerit anti-mine paste, and as the subject of the Panzer II turret numbers being debatable, here they are provided in alternative colours. The options are:
• Panzer IV Ausf.H, Red 121, 1st Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.G, Red 135 Hedwig, 1st Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.G, Yellow 141, 1 st Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.G, Yellow 200 Grislybär, 2nd Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.H, Yellow 124, 1st Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.H, Red 221, 2nd Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.H, Yellow 420, 4th Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.H, Yellow 500, 5th Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.H, Yellow 532 Stur Hell, 5th Company
• Panzer IV Ausf.H, Yellow 645, 6th Company
• Panzer II Ausf.L, ‘35’
• Panzer II Ausf.L, ‘41’
• Panzer II Ausf.L, ‘215’
These decals look great, and one 4.Pz.Div. build simply won’t be enough once you get going! The added bonus is that if 1/35 isn’t your scale, and you prefer smaller or larger, the sheet is also available in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/16. In the UK, Echelon decals are available via Hannants: www.hannants.co.uk
For information on other Echelon items see here:
