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DML 7359, Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2(G) 7359, Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2(G). 1/72nd-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 165 styrene parts, one photo-etched brass fret, two DS-100 track lengths, seven decal marking schemes (with two extra variations) and six pages of instructions in eight steps. Introduction. After a bit of a hiatus regarding releases in 1/72nd-scale, DML has come back to the fore with this latest release of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2 (later re-designated as Ausf.G. Since this is based on the Ausf.F, it has the earlier 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 with globular muzzle brake and lacks the stowage tray for a pair of road-wheels seen on the track-guards of a true Ausf.G. Tracks. DML provides the tracks in two DS100 soft styrene lengths. They are crisply detailed and well molded, but there is a bit of distortion where the sprue plug enters the part. Braille Scale modelers either love these tracks or hate them, but DML is committed to using this type of track in order to keep assembly simplified. Suspension System. These road-wheels are uniquely-molded as one-piece pairs (via slide-molds), with separate hub inserts; this will ease assembly and also allow the tire sections to be more easily painted. The bogie truck units are all separate parts and are handed for each side, so the modeler should take care when installing them. Also, the sprue attachment points on the backs of the road-wheels run directly to small pips that must be left in place to fit the road wheels to the bogies. Be VERY careful when trimming back there so you dont take everything off! There are four return rollers per side, each of which is also slide-molded as a one-piece pair. The welded, tube-section idler wheels are supplied as inner and outer halves, as are the drive sprockets, which themselves are the proper dished type seen on the Ausf.F and Ausf.G. Hull. The hull is a one-piece tub to which a separate rear plate is then attached; this includes the idler wheel axles molded in place. The track tension/idler wheel mounts feature separate adjustment nuts. Aside from the afore-mentioned suspension components, separate tow hooks are attached to the rear hull corners, while separate armored guards are fitted forward of the integrally-molded final drive housings. Several detail parts are added to the rear plate, to include a multi-part exhaust muffler based on a slide-molded core, as well as a tow coupling and its base. The lower bow plate is separate and includes a length of spare tracks, separate mounting brackets and separate towing eyes. Track-Guards. These are separate items and are engineered much the same way as their larger 1/35th-scale cousins, which means that they are fully-detailed on both faces. The main difference is that all tools and OVM items are molded in place, with the following exceptions: the starboard side has three separate spare track links, a one-piece jack and a brace. The port side gets Notek head- and tail-lamps (with two different options for the latter), and a fire extinguisher. Both get separate, slide-molded rear mud-flaps along with optional etched brass support gussets and engine air intake grill flaps. Superstructure. The superstructure is based on a one-piece roof plate that also includes the complete engine deck (including the sides). Separate plates are provided for the front and both sides, with the latter having separate, internally-detailed view-port flaps. The port side also receives a jack block, vent cowl, gun tube cleaning staffs and boarding ladder. The starboard side gets a rod antenna that can be depicted deployed or stowed, the antenna stowage trough and a shovel. The separate rear plate receives a two-part smoke candle dispenser and two tow cable mounting hooks. The engine deck has separate engine compartment access hatch lids and a radiator filler cap cover. The air intake grills are properly-profiled and are given as two-part assemblies each, in the same manner as their 1/35th-scale counterparts. This provides an excellent level of detail fidelity. The drivers and radio operators hatch lids are also separate, while the MG ball mount and drivers visor are molded integrally with the separate front superstructure plate. The MG34 is slide-molded so includes complete sleeve detail as well as pre-drilled muzzle. The separate glacis plate has all hatch lids molded in place. This results in the brake vent armored guards being solid, which means some work with a drill and files will be needed for a proper appearance. Turret. The slide-molded turret shell features molded-on lift hooks, MP-Stopfen (pistol ports), signal port, hinges, rain guards and screw-head details. The roof plate receives a separate vent fan cover and separate grab handles. The commanders cupola is a two-part assembly with separate split hatch lids; the latter are for use in depicting an open hatch. For a closed hatch, a separate upper part includes the hatch lids molded, closed, in place. This will result in a neater assembly. The usual Gepackkasten (baggage bin) is provided for the rear face of the turret; it too uses slide mold technology for enhanced detail, while the lid for it is separate so it can be depicted opened or closed. Separate view-port flaps, with internal details are given, while the split side-wall access hatch lids are each molded in one piece, again for neater assembly if closed. If the modeler desires, they can be cut apart and left open; if this route is chosen there are separate parts to detail their interior faces. The main gun tube is slide-molded, so the globular muzzle brake is open on all sides. The multi-part mantlet assembly can be elevated and depressed and includes a separate view-port cover for the loader. The separate co-axial MG34 is also slide-molded, so it has proper armored sleeve detail and an open muzzle. Accuracy and Details. I do not have access to drawings in 1/72nd scale, so cannot comment on dimensional issues. The kit has all the proper features seen on a typical Ausf.F2/G, which was fitted with a KwK40. Details are as fine as they can be in this scale, while the only reservations I would have (as do several Braille Scale modelers with whom I have consulted) are the molded-on tools and OVM seen on the track-guards. Molding, Fit and Engineering. As I do not build in 1/72nd-scale, I am passing this sample on to a fellow modeler. Therefore, I have not conducted a fit check of any of the parts. Molding is typically as fine as modern techniques allow, with the result being extremely crisp parts. Mold seams are minimal, while there were no sink marks present; ejector pin marks should not be visible on the completed model. Decals and Markings Information. Waterside decals from Cartograf are provided and can be used to mark seven specific vehicles, with one of them featuring two additional variations. As expected, the decals are superbly-printed, with excellent color saturation, and are in perfect register. Carrier film is thin, matte and cut close to the edges of the designs. Markings for the following are provided: Panzer-Regiment
36, 14.Panzer-Division, Ostfront 1942. For the most part, these schemes check out against photos and drawings in the cited references. The modeler is cautioned to decide what colors to use since the instructions list certain manufacturers paints by name and number, which can easily confuse. In particular, two examples are painted in Tropen (tropical) color schemes, whose colors are not correctly called out; they should not be Dunkelgelb. Instructions. These are well-drawn and should offer no surprises to the prospective builder. The markings section is done in full-color, but should not be used as the SOLE source for the actual colors used. See above. Conclusion. This is a fine, well-detailed kit and should please the small-scale modeler who has a hankering for a state-of-the-art Panzer IV to add to the collection. Frank
V. De Sisto - Frank V. De Sisto Review -DR7359: Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf. F2 (G) 1/72 injection plastic kit with PE and decals After encounter the Russian T-34 and KV-1 on the Eastern Front, the German army assigned high priority to up-gunning existing German armour. For the Panzer IV this saw the longer 75mm barrel, being fitted to the existing turret in early 1942. This new version was known as the Ausf F2, and later re-designated as the Ausf G. The first few months production of the Ausf F2 (G) were equipped with the 7.5cm Kw.K 40 L/43 tank gun, Notek headlamp, and did not have shurzen (side skirts) fitted. CONTENTS This kit, which has over 120 parts, represents one of the early to mid 1942 production vehicles, which were made when it was officially known as the Ausf F2. This kit has one small PE fret for the flaps for the side plate engine vents, and a pair of fender supports. The gatefold instructions have 8 steps of line drawings that are easy to follow. The newly tooled turret Ausf F2 (G) turret is, like in Dragon・s 1/35 release based on a 3-directional slide molded shell, with detail for features such as the countersunk holes and rain guards. The hatches, vent cover, grab handles and multi-part rear storage box are all separate items. The commander's cupola has internal detail with the option of a close hatch or alternative parts for an open split hatch with the pads reproduced on each hatch. Both options use a separate ring part for the vision blocks allowing you to paint it separately to improve accuracy. The 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 gun is a single piece slide molded barrel tub with and integrated single baffle muzzle break. The turret frontal armor, collar and mantlet are separate pieces with ample small detail. The main upper hull is one large piece that features raised weld beams, hinge detail and the lip and countersunk screw holes for the turret ring. Separate parts are provided for the engine deck, drivers and radio operator・s hatches. The sides of the upper hull are separate parts for the Ausf F2 (G) and have much of the detail reproduced using separate parts (e.g. jack block, vision ports and internal vision blocks). A full height aerial is included. The one-piece lower hull tub is slide-molded to provide detail on the bottom and sides such as fairling, access ports, bump stops and screw heads. Some hull side detail is integrated on the tub including, while the armored covers for the final drive housing are separate parts. The hull rear plate is a separate part with integrated rear idler mounts and separate pieces for the pintle and auxiliary electric generator for the turret traverse. The main exhaust is a single part slide-molding with a hollowed outlet. The lower front armor is a separate applique part with separate pieces used for the spare tracks and its mounting points to provide sharp results. The side fenders have anti-skid pattern on the upper surface and integrated tools and clamps molded in position. The jack, fire extinguisher, convoy light, Notek light and rear fenders are separate parts. The road wheels, drive sprockets and rear idler all feature detail appropriate for a mid war Panzer IV. The bogie units are cleverly designed such that each assembly is built from five parts while retain crisp detail. For example there are separate hub-caps with the correct profile that are cast so the mark for the injection molding tab is invisible on the finished kit. The one-piece Dragon Styrene tracks are a mid war profile with out chevrons. The guide horns are solid. MARKINGS The decal sheet by Cartograf has markings for seven Ausf F2, each of which is supported by three colour profiles on the instruction sheet. The Panzer IV are from: * Panzer Regiment 36, 14 Panzer Division, in Russia 1942 (box art) * Panzer Regiment 8, 15 Panzer Division, in Tunisa 1942 (turret number 8; all dark yellow). * Panzer Regiment 15, 11 Panzer Division, in Russia 1942 (turret number 12; all grey). * An unidentified unit on the Eastern Front in 1943 with turret number black 421 and painted grey with dark yellow bands. * Panzer Abteilung 204, 22 Panzer Division, in Russia 1942 (turret number billboard white 924; grey with dark yellow). * Panzer Regiment 29, 12 Panzer Division, in Russia 1942 (turret number small 613; all grey). * Panzer Abteilung 1 of LAH, in France 1942 1942 (turret number white outline 316; all grey). RECOMMENDATION The Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf. F2 (G) enhances Dragon・s range of 1/72 WWII German armour. The tooling reflect the ability of the latest 1/72 AFV kits to capture crisp detail and provide a kit which will be enjoyable to construct. Well recommended.
- Neville Lord Review - DML 1/72 Pzkw. IV Ausf. F2 (G) Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 scale Armor Pro Series Kit No. 7359; Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 (G); 168 parts (162 in grey styrene, 4 etched brass, 2 DS plastic track runs); price estimated at US$14.95 Advantages: earlier version of last kit with different detail parts; details closing on their 1/35 scale kits Disadvantages: DS tracks tend to run long Rating: Highly Recommended Recommendation: for all mid-war German fans Following quickly on DML・s kit No. 7278 (Pzkw. IV Ausf. G Early Production) is this kit for the earlier Pzkw. IV F2 and initial production G models. It has several modified sprues as well as the earlier ：kugel； muzzle brake of the F2. Like its predecessor this kit is virtually new from the ground up and the only parts it appears to share with previous kits are the tracks, which are single run DS plastic ones. As before the kit identifies them as ：Sprue X； but they are stamped ：E； so I am assuming they are from one of the earlier kits; those were noted as having the tracks run long for sagging. Each bogie assembly here consist of five parts: carrier, road wheel pairs, and road wheel centers. Oddly the centers also appear to carry part of the tires, so other than molding fidelity it does not seem to offer any assistance for painting. Detail, however, is outstanding in this (or even some larger) scale. The lower hull is in one piece (part Z) but requires a separate bow plate applique and two-part stern plate. The modeler has an option for spare tracks or empty carrier at the bow. The upper hull has all hatches as separate parts and each viewer has both a cover and a mechanism as separate parts. The upper hull details are provided by applique sides attached to the central body (part Y) so welds and other details are apparent. The fenders are separate assemblies and attach along with the glacis plate in Step 5 but require some holes to be drilled out first. The turret is pretty detailed in this scale, with the gun assembly consisting of 9 parts, but the antenna deflector seen on some early F2s (or converted F1s) is not provided. The barrel again uses a slide molded hollow muzzle brake in one piece and inserts into a sleeve which then fits to the recoil housing; note that even the machine gun barrels are slide molded (as is the exhaust pipe on the muffler) so the modeler does not have to open them up. The commander・s cupola consists of four parts and has a partial interior (but no clear vision blocks). The side hatches also have separate viewer mechanisms; however, while they have plenty of interior detail splitting and opening them will require a good deal of care. No other interior parts are provided so anyone opening up the tank will need to find his own bits for the interior (e.g. gun breech, engine, seats, radios, kit, etc.) Six different finishing options are provided along with a targeted sheet of Cartograf decals: Pz.Rgt. 8, 15th Panzer Division, Tunisia 1942 (sand - black 8); Pz.Rgt. 15m 11th Panzer Division, Russia 1942 (grey - white 12); Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1943 (grey/sand mottle - black 421); Pz.Abt. 204, 22nd Panzer Division, Russia 1942 (grey/sand mottle, white 924); Pz.Rgt. 29, 12th Panzer Division, Russia 1942 (grey - white 613); and Pz.Abt. 1, 1st SS Panzer Division LAH, France 1942 (grey - white outline 316). A sheet of Cartograf decals are provided. Overall this compliments the earlier kit and does make a number of detail changes, sure to be popular with German small-scale fans. Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample. Cookie Sewell Sprue layout: A 21 Pzkw. IV F2 - fenders, turret bin, commander・s cupola B 14 Pzkw. IV - OVM, hatches D 49 Pzkw. IV - turret, upper hull hatches and details E 4x2 Bogie carriers F 16 Pzkw. IV F2 gun barrel, mantlet, track sections, details G 20 Road wheel centers I 4 Drivers J 4 Idlers K 8x2 Road wheel pairs M 8 Return rollers X 2 DS track runs Y 1 Pzkw. IV Ausf. F/G upper hull Z 1 Pzkw. IV Ausf. F/G lower hull MA 4 Etched brass
- Cookie Sewell Review - DML 1/72 Pzkw. IV Ausf. F2 (G) Introduction Dragon are one of the most prolific manufacturers around in 1/72nd scale, as this release and the extent of their current range in that scale indicate. Not only are they prolific, but the quality of their releases in this scale surpass by far the efforts of most other manufacturers. The Kit Contents It's a small-scale kit, so don't expect a box brimming with sprues. Having said that, for such a small kit there are some surprises. Five sprues if Dragon's usual light grey styrene, plus three small sprues of roadwheel parts and return rollers, a separate lower hull and main deck, separate turret stowage bin, and a small bag full of more roadwheel parts. The tracks are supplied as two lengths of tan-coloured DS100 vinyl. Also included is a small decal sheet and photo-etched fret. I'm always surprised when I open one of these kits, even though I've seen quite a few of them now. There's something about the amount of detail that Dragon manage to pack in to what is such a diminutive kit after all. It was only a few years ago that detail such as contained in this model would only be dreamt of by small-sale modellers. Separate roadwheels, each pair with its own separate suspension bogie, and flexible vinyl tracks that more importantly can be cemented using ordinary styrene cement. The separately supplied lower hull is a wealth of finely-moulded detail, including full detail on its under-surface. To the purist it probably is a little over-scale, but if it wasn't then you wouldn't see it at all, so it's a trade-off between accuracy and appearance. Both the drive sprockets and idler wheels are supplied in two halves for maximum detail. In addition, each of the roadwheels has a separately supplied part representing the hub and outer face of the wheel. The spare tracklinks are provided already moulded into their brackets for use on the front hull, although parts are provided should you wish to depict empty brackets. Most of the smaller detail you would assume to be provided moulded in-situ in a small-scale kit is actually provided as separate parts, such as the traverse motor and engine exhausts for the rear hull, antennae trough and various tools for around the vehicle. Curiously, the fenders appear to be a different story, with most of the detail such as on-vehicle tools already moulded in place. I've noticed this about the Dragon small-scale kits before, and it still puzzles me. If some tools can be supplied as separate parts then I see no reason why they all can't be? After all, really tiny parts such as the jack block and individual track links and fire extinguishers are provided to be attached to a fender that has a hatchet and various other tools already moulded in place. Seems odd. All the hatches for the main body of the vehicle are supplied separately, and also have detail on their inner surfaces, so as long as you can come up with a crew figure or two, there's no reason why it shouldn't be built with the crew hatches opened. The photo-etched fret supplied is tiny. It just contains two parts to represent the sheet metal covers for the engine air-intakes on the rear side of the vehicle, and two small triangular brackets for the fenders. The main gun barrel is supplied as one part with muzzle brake included. The lower sleeve, mantlet and cover are all separate parts, and there's nothing included to represent the breech assembly, although I would have been surprised if it have been included. Moving on to the turret, this is supplied as a one-piece shell, including some excellent detail and separate crew access hatches, each of which has detail on its inner surface, as well as separate blocks for the armoured glass insert of the vision slots. These are not provided as transparent plastic however. The vision ports in the turret walls themselves even have tiny separate parts for the inner mechanisms! Marking Options Full-colour schemes are provided on the instructions sheet for seven vehicles from France, Russia and North Africa. Full details in the pictures below. Conclusion What's not to like? There's something about these small-scale efforts that defies you not to like them, even if your main modelling efforts are directed towards the larger scales. We all have a fascination with miniature detail in general, or we would not be modellers, and the smaller the detail the more fascinated we become....especially when it's done as superbly as this. Highly recommended.
- Vinnie Branigan Copyright 1998-2010 Dragon Models Limited. All Rights Reserved |