Dragon shows us another StuG

Dragon have sent us pictures of an April release - their version of the tank hunting 1/35 Sd.Kfz.167 StuG.IV Late Production - Smart Kit. Full of slide mould technology and newly-tooled tricks - lets look at the kit in preview..

The 1/35 Sd.Kfz.167 StuG.IV Late Production - Smart Kit April Release -

Dragon has already introduced 1/35 scale plastic Smart Kits depicting Early Production variants of this tank destroyer. Now comes the much anticipated Late Production type. It is accurately tooled and detailed with correct characteristics such as a new lower hull that fits the simplified idler mount, brand new Magic Track, a new roof armor and traveling lock. Other components are borrowed from Dragon’s previous Panzer/StuG kits. These include the highly detailed 7.5cm StuK40 gun with its breech and mount, separate metal armor skirt plates, late-style exhaust mufflers plus convenient Magic Tracks. This kit is a fine combination of engineering quality and time-saving convenience!

The Sturmgeschütz IV (also known as Sd.Kfz.167) was an assault gun produced in the fashion of the StuG.III. However, as its name suggests, it was based on the hull of the ubiquitous Panzer IV tank rather than the Panzer III. This came about because Alkett (a manufacturer of the StuG.III) was bombed in November 1943, so in an effort to increase assault gun production, Krupp installed slightly modified StuG.III superstructures on the chassis of the Panzer IV. After production was approved on 6 December 1943, Krupp proceeded to build 1,108 StuG.IV vehicles between December 1943 and May 1945. While this number was far less than the StuG.III, Krupp did ensure continuity of assault gun production. Crewed by four men, it proved to be an effective tank hunter platform. The StuG.IV weighed 23 tonnes and it was armed with a 7.5cm StuK40 L/48 gun. The main armament was supplemented by an MG34 mounted on the superstructure roof.

Several Newly tooled parts have been introduced to make this a late war vehicle: 
- Newly tooled travel lock assembly
- Newly tooled StuG.IV Late Production fighting compartment authentically reproduced w/extra armor protection
- Newly tooled roof armor w/accurate weld seams
- Newly tooled Magic Tracks

The Sturmgeschütz IV (also known as Sd.Kfz.167) was an assault gun produced in the fashion of the StuG.III. However, as its name suggests, it was based on the hull of the ubiquitous Panzer IV tank rather than the Panzer III. This came about because Alkett (a manufacturer of the StuG.III) was bombed in November 1943, so in an effort to increase assault gun production, Krupp installed slightly modified StuG.III superstructures on the chassis of the Panzer IV. 

After production was approved on 6 December 1943, Krupp proceeded to build 1,108 StuG.IV vehicles between December 1943 and May 1945. While this number was far less than the StuG.III, Krupp did ensure continuity of assault gun production. Crewed by four men, it proved to be an effective tank hunter platform. The StuG.IV weighed 23 tonnes and it was armed with a 7.5cm StuK40 L/48 gun. The main armament was supplemented by an MG34 mounted on the superstructure roof.

More features than you can poke ten sticks at -  they are: 

- Side-skirt armor plates can be installed separately
- Side-skirt armor plates produced in metal for scale thickness
- Armor brackets realistically detailed
- Realistic lower hull made by 2-directional slide mold
- Bolts and rivets delicately represented on hull bottom
- Simplified idler mount produced specially for StuG.IV
- Easy-to-assemble upper hull
- Multi-part upper hull offers maximum detail
- Fighting-compartment armor w/accurate weld seams
- Optional rain guard on fighting compartment
- Multi-directional slide-molded superstructure
- Radio set and seat included
- Gun mantlet rendered w/realistic cast texture
- Cannon can be elevated up/down
- One-piece gun barrel
- Optional slide-molded muzzle brakes can be fitted
- Gun breech and recoil guard fully reproduced
- Gun sight and hand wheels w/delicate detail
- Recoil and recuperator cylinders accurately represented
- Detailed rear hull w/mufflers
- Screw heads finely reproduced
- Engine hatches can be assembled open/closed
- Photo-etched parts for engine-deck exhaust grill
- Slide-molded engine deck w/bolt details
- Driver's hatch w/interior detail can be assembled open/closed
- Commander's hatch w/interior details can be assembled open/closed
- Hatches can be assembled open/closed
- MG shield accurately reproduced w/bolt details
- Authentic-looking MG34
- Optional butt stock included
- Includes fuel tank filler mouths
- Slide-molded periscopes for commander's cupola made from clear parts
- Fenders w/tread pattern on both sides
- Two types of front fender segments provided
- Spare-track rack on glacis plate
- Duct flaps reproduced w/photo-etched parts
- Detailed idler wheels w/cast texture
- Photo-etched parts for idlers to accurately represent undercut detail
- Road wheels, sprockets, idlers and return rollers authentically reproduced

You can pick this kit up from Dragon USA in April