The range of 1/35 Panzerkampfwagen IV tanks offered by Tamiya has grown with its new Panzer IV Ausf.G early production version. CHRIS CLIFFORD reviews the contents.
Tamiya’s last Panzer IV variant in this scale was its short-barrelled Ausf.F from 2020. Now the parts have been updated to portray the early production Ausf.G model, via the provision of an L/43 gun with the early, almost spherical single baffle muzzle brake, as fitted to the Panzer IV F2.
The usual splendid Tamiya moulding quality is evident on kit 35378, which has seven tan-coloured styrene runners, a separate lower hull, and a set of well-moulded crew figures (and a standard Wehrmacht soldier). Also included are lengths of copper wire and twine, and wheel/gun elevation polycaps.
Above and below: Tamiya's one-piece lower hull has plenty of fidelity, even on the underside.
Above: Hatch and turret bullet splashes look to be in scale on the upper hull decking.
A very thoughtful feature is that of a styrene jig with which to set the correct sag for the upper track run, using the link-and-length sections provided. Spare links are present for mounting on the drive/machine-gunner armour, and hull front, but due to the time period of this model, no Schurzen armour plates a…
