This latest offering from Dragon comes hot on the heels of their StuG III Ausf G(6320) and
Ausfklarungspanzer (38t) mit 2cm KwK 38(6294). Virtually a totally new kit and not just a “refresh” of earlier PzKfw IVs. I can only presume that this kit provides the foundations for a series of subsequent Ausfuehrung in the PzKfw IV series.

Despite its title of Smart Kit, there is still over seven hundred items to be glued together! Certainly some of the rather tedious sections of previous Panzer IV kits, i.e. bogie stations have been much simplified, but not at any cost to detail. Surely the most important component of any kit is accuracy and the level of detail given. I believe in their Smart Kits, Dragon offer the best of both worlds, highly detailed kits, without the tedium of multiple assembles for the sake of it. If you are like me, then plastic is the name of the game, etched metal has its place in our hobby but all too often it’s use is sometimes un-necessary and superfluous. Dragon over the last few years have proved that they are King at plastic and that in their Smart Kits the use of etched metal can be kept to a minimum. I find that these days a fret of etched metal tool clasps in the spares box is generally sufficient to detail. The use of etched brass had its heyday many years ago when the shortcoming of injection moulding techniques were all too apparent. However as injection techniques have improved so should the use of etched metal decline. It would seem that there is a misconception that a well made model has to have lots of etched metal. This is a complete falsehood, remember that etched metal is two dimensional, plastic is three! Yes, there will always be a place for etched metal but is should never supersede well detailed plastic. Working with plastic is a delight compared with soldered/superglued metal!

I have heard some criticism of the Magic tracks that they do not tolerate any movement let alone placing onto the vehicle. I personally glue the tracks onto the model prior to painting. My technique is to measure the length from the top of the drive sprocket to the back of the idler. I lay out the track to the required length and apply the plastic solvent, wait a couple of minutes them install. If you have already glued the fenders on, then start from the rear idler and feed the track forward until it goes over the drive sprocket. Shape the track, i.e. sag, etc, and glue into position. Install separately links around the drive and rear idler. Measure the length remaining and make up the final length. You may need to expand the track slightly or even compress. Fit and glue to existing tracks links on idler and sprocket. Glue to the road wheels. Do not use excessive plastic solvent, too much and the plastic shrinks!

If I have a criticism of the kit, it is the lack of painting details applicable to the seven permutations available. However with the sole exception of the Tunisian example these vehicles would have been base coated in Panzer Grey with permutations in camouflage the longer they survived. There would also have been a number in white camouflage in Germany’s second winter in the east as supplies were more readily available.

Also available in the box is a small booklet that explains Dragon’s response to some of the dilemma’s they encountered during the planning of this model. A nice touch that provide the modeller, both in and experienced with a background to the details in their purchased kit.

Overall a superb example of the ubiquitous PzKfw IV.

My thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

- A J Greenland