A pair of late Panzer IV's

[Panzerwrecker]

I’ve not built a late war Ausf J version before so inspired by a few modellers’ recent builds and the desire to try out a late factory applied camo paint job, I figured it was about time to have a go.

After finally tracking down Dragon’s elusive 6575 kit last year I thought it would also be interesting to see how this well-respected 10-year-old stood up to one of the new guns. Manufacturers seem to have moved the 1/35 armour game on to StuG kits now but Border Models 2019 kit BT-008 was, along with RFM and Miniart one of a few Ausf J kits released since 2019. I had heard some favourable reviews so also grabbed one for comparison.

I’ve built a few Dragon Pz.IV’s and although I was fortunate, have since discovered many turned out to be less than enjoyable to build. Their heyday seems to have been those released in the mid noughties and although their massive parts count and busy instructions remained, they did at least adorn many kits with huge slugs of photoetch, metal barrels and their very own magic tracks.

Whilst never what you would call ‘great value’ they were, if you value such things, considered accurate and well-engineered. Sadly, my kit although identical in box art and kit No, is from a later released batch. The photoetch sheet has shrunk, and the magic tracks have vanished; replaced with their much-maligned rubber band tracks.

To take a break from a multi vehicle dio build I started mid 2021 I banged out Takoms 8004 Stug G kit in January and it took me just 12hrs. For me that is unheard off. I don’t think I have ever built anything quite as fast, but I really enjoyed it. I have yet to paint it but that is due to the fact I really fancied some more building and the reason these two are currently sat on the bench.

I’ve written a build log with some vehicle history and to highlight both kit’s highs and lows, some incorrect and missing part call outs and some processes to avoid and resolve fit issues. If anybody would like a copy, let me know and I would be happy to ping a PDF over by email.

In the process I also purchased and built up a set of T-Rex’s 3D printed tracks. Although hugely expensive still, they are very good indeed. At least that was my experience.

Dragon kit WIP



Border kit WIP

 

[AlanG]

I'm looking at getting the Academy Panzer IV Ausf H (Mid) so i can build it for my Normandy diorama. I've become slightly obsessed with them just lately because of the 12.SS.Pz.Div book i've just read

 

[Si Benson]

Very nice los

 

[Jim R]

Hi Los
Very nice, neat builds.
Jim

 

[Panzerwrecker]

I'm looking at getting the Academy Panzer IV Ausf H (Mid) so i can build it for my Normandy diorama. I've become slightly obsessed with them just lately because of the 12.SS.Pz.Div book i've just read

Yep, agreed Alan, reading material really does get the juices flowing. If you want a really awesome read on the Normandy campagn I highly recommend Jean Paul Pallud's Ruckmarsch! The German retreat from Normandy. 376 pages of well researched historically material, hundreds of fantastic photos. Tricky to track down but so, so worth it

 

[AlanG]

Have a look in the review section for a book i reviewed on the 12.SS.Pz.Div in Normandy. Excellent read

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Hi Los, I've a Border Pz IV ausf H (the BT 005) in the stash. I've never built a 1/35 Pz IV (same for Border kits), so I'll follow with interest this build too.

Andrea

 

[minitnkr]

Tracks came out beautifully. Love the Thoma shields.

 

[Panzerwrecker]

Hi Los, I've a Border Pz IV ausf H (the BT 005) in the stash. I've never built a 1/35 Pz IV (same for Border kits), so I'll follow with interest this build too.

Andrea

Cheers

I’ve almost completed both builds now and I still think the 10-year-old Dragon kit just edges it. The engineering and build steps are extremely similar with Border only improving on a few areas. Both kits have a one-piece lower hull which unlike the Miniart kit's speeds up the build process. What I didn’t find worked as well was Border discission to make the upper hull side plates part of the lower hull moulding. What this means; and it might well be the design on all of their other Pz.IV kit’s, is that the top plate is just a flat piece. It fits OK but unlike the Dragon kit which uses a basic engine firewall plate, the top plate is not supported. It only connects on a very fine area around the whole edge. Any accidental pressure applied on top and that included fitting the turret had it ‘popping’ out on my kit! What Border can be commended for is their far simpler approach to building the mesh Schürzen. Where Dragon use a fine metal mesh and photoetch reinforcing strips, Border give you an all in photoetch assembly. Although the weave is not as accurate; so, I have read, they are far, far easier to build and line up on the track guard brackets.

Making a direct comparison really does highlight the differences and of the few issues the Border kit does come with, the mould offset, on my kit; requiring far too much clean-up, was the most annoying. There are also too many fit issues with some of the main components which should not be happening with a kit of this price. The wheel poly caps are a complete waste of time and the idler stub axle to hull fitment is just plain sloppy!

On the other hand the Dragon kit fitted together almost like a modern Tamiya kit. The styrene also feels nicer to work with, the detail is a little sharper and although many of the mid naughty kits are accused of having a far too numerous part count, they do at least give you options when it comes to modelling a particular tank. A case in point is the Border kit only offering the upper front armoured plate with the lifting hoops. Saying that, it would have been nice to see both kits offering the option of the earlier four return roller hull. This was especially annoying for me as I was going to model the Dragon kit on the abandoned but in remarkably immaculate condition Czech 432 vehicle. That was until it was pointed out it had the four RR hull!

The Dragon rubber band tracks won’t be to everyone’s liking but equally the Border kit’s individual link tracks won’t appeal to everyone either.

The real issue with the Dragon kit is availability these days. Especially an original release, it seems. Although similarly priced to the Border kit I had to purchase mine from China and was disappointed to find it was the later released version of the kit!

I might even display them together as you don’t see that much

 

[Panzerwrecker]

Tracks came out beautifully. Love the Thoma shields.

Tracks came out beautifully. Love the Thoma shields.

Thanks.

The tracks are the new T-Rex 3D printed ones. Thought I would see what all the fuss was about. They have certainly attracted mixed reviews. Many stating that the links are brittle and the pins nigh on impossible to work with etc. My links were fairly flexible but apparently it is advised to get some paint on them ASAP as exposure to light can weaken them.



The pins are indeed tiny, and many were bent in my set. However, the bent ones can still be used. The track pins come in two halves. Both are tapered and require just a push fit. One is a domed pin for the inside and the other a locking pin for the outside.

It took me a while to get into an assembly rhythm, building around 10 links at a time and I managed one side in around an hour. I had a few oversized pins which were unused but none of the links required opening with a drill. A few broke inside the links but a similar diameter sized piece of copper wire was used to push them out. I reckon I lost about 5% of the pins due to breakage but there were plenty of both links and pins left over.




They are certainly not cheap costing almost half of what the kit costed me but as I didn’t get the magic links in my kit, I figured I would try them out.

My set has been test fitted to both tanks numerous times now and none of the links have yet to fall out. They fitted around both kit’s sprockets, wheels, and idlers without issue so I wouldn’t hesitate in purchasing another set. Just need to check the bank balance first

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Cheers

I’ve almost completed both builds now and I still think the 10-year-old Dragon kit just edges it. The engineering and build steps are extremely similar with Border only improving on a few areas. Both kits have a one-piece lower hull which unlike the Miniart kit's speeds up the build process. What I didn’t find worked as well was Border discission to make the upper hull side plates part of the lower hull moulding. What this means; and it might well be the design on all of their other Pz.IV kit’s, is that the top plate is just a flat piece. It fits OK but unlike the Dragon kit which uses a basic engine firewall plate, the top plate is not supported. It only connects on a very fine area around the whole edge. Any accidental pressure applied on top and that included fitting the turret had it ‘popping’ out on my kit! What Border can be commended for is their far simpler approach to building the mesh Schürzen. Where Dragon use a fine metal mesh and photoetch reinforcing strips, Border give you an all in photoetch assembly. Although the weave is not as accurate; so, I have read, they are far, far easier to build and line up on the track guard brackets.

Making a direct comparison really does highlight the differences and of the few issues the Border kit does come with, the mould offset, on my kit; requiring far too much clean-up, was the most annoying. There are also too many fit issues with some of the main components which should not be happening with a kit of this price. The wheel poly caps are a complete waste of time and the idler stub axle to hull fitment is just plain sloppy!

On the other hand the Dragon kit fitted together almost like a modern Tamiya kit. The styrene also feels nicer to work with, the detail is a little sharper and although many of the mid naughty kits are accused of having a far too numerous part count, they do at least give you options when it comes to modelling a particular tank. A case in point is the Border kit only offering the upper front armoured plate with the lifting hoops. Saying that, it would have been nice to see both kits offering the option of the earlier four return roller hull. This was especially annoying for me as I was going to model the Dragon kit on the abandoned but in remarkably immaculate condition Czech 432 vehicle. That was until it was pointed out it had the four RR hull!

The Dragon rubber band tracks won’t be to everyone’s liking but equally the Border kit’s individual link tracks won’t appeal to everyone either.

The real issue with the Dragon kit is availability these days. Especially an original release, it seems. Although similarly priced to the Border kit I had to purchase mine from China and was disappointed to find it was the later released version of the kit!

I might even display them together as you don’t see that much

Thank you for the hint about the top plate: I'll add some support (if my memory won't fail me when the moment comes...).

 

[Panzerwrecker]

Thank you for the hint about the top plate: I'll add some support (if my memory won't fail me when the moment comes...).

Yes, it is something I wished I had done. Two simple T shaped pieces of suitably thick plastic placed behind the front armoured panel and behind the turret ring will do the trick. Write it on the instructions to remind yourself

 

[Panzerwrecker]

The four twins

Apart from the fragile gas detection panels for the turret Schurzen both kits are now completely built.

Next up is the paint shop

 

[JR]

Those tracks certainly look good, as do your photos by the way Los

 

[rtfoe]

Lovely pair Los, looking forward to the painting. Interesting to see the different ways of constructing the PE schurzen.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Panzerwrecker]

Those tracks certainly look good, as do your photos by the way Los

Cheers John. Tracks are fantastic, although I wish they wern't quite so expensive. I have a little table top area for photos with lights which is slowly getting me better results.

Lovely pair Los, looking forward to the painting. Interesting to see the different ways of constructing the PE schurzen.

Cheers,
Richard

Thanks Richard. Mulling over some ref pics of the camo scheme as I type. Just working out whether to base coat the whole tank or just airbrush on each individual colour.

The design Border have adopted for their Thoma Schurzen with just the one medium makes for a more precise fitment with the added bonus of it all taking roughly half as long to put together. Saying that, I actually prefer the look of the Dragon ones; at least pre-painted. The fact each PE mesh panel in the Border kit is exactly the right size and already has the lower bracket holes pre-drilled avoids all the spacing issues you might get drilling and trimming the Dragon designed ones

 

[Strenko J]

great looking build.. I was wondering how those new TREX kits would come together for us fellow modelers.. now looking forward to getting some for future builds... thanks Los