Tuesday, May 26

Preview: 1/35th scale Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf. J Last Production w/Full interior in June from Ryefield Model

After seeing the recent release in CAd form of the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J Late Production/ Pz.Beob.Wg.IV Ausf.J "2 in 1" Kit no #RM-5033 from RyeField model, we only just now received news of another Ausf. J model - the Full interior/ Clear parts & Workable track link kit coming in June. We have a feature set of the kit in our preview...


A new Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf. J Last Production w/Full interior in June from Ryefield Model

Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf. J Last Production 
w/Full interior & Clear parts & Workable track links
From Ryefield Model
1/35th scale 
Kit No # RM-5043
So, Ryefield Model has made the announcement of the second in the new Pz.Kpfw.IV series in 1/35th scale coming our way. A new version of the late J series - the "Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf. J Last Production" w/Full interior & Clear parts & Workable track links. We thought before we look at the CAD features of this kit we might see what these variants 
Panzer IV Ausf J with Thoma schürzen Eastern Front
The Panzer IV Auf J: The late, simplified Panzer IV...
the Ausf.J, began to roll off the factory line at Nibelungenwerke (at St Valentin, Austria) and Vomag, as Krupp was now involved with other tasks, and incorporated more mass-production oriented simplifications, rarely welcomed by the crews. A first example was the removal of the electric turret drive, traversing being done manually, sacrificed for an additional 200 litres of fuel capacity, raising the operational range to 300 km (186 mi), a lesson hard learnt from the Russian campaign. Other modifications included the removal of the turret visor, pistol ports and turret AA mount in favour of a Naehverteidigungswaffe mount. Zimmerit was not applied anymore, nor was the Schurzen, replaced by cheaper Thoma type wire-mesh panels. 
The engine’s radiator housing was also simplified. The drive train lost one return roller, and two Flammentoeter (flame-suppressing) mufflers were installed, as well as Pilze 2-ton crane mount sockets. More critically, the late Panzer III SSG 77 transmission was mounted, despite it being clearly overloaded. Despite these sacrifices, the type J monthly deliveries were increasingly threatened by Allied bombings and the shortages caused, and only a total of 2970 were built until the last days of March 1945, Compare that to the total planned of 5,000, including modified models sporting the Panther turret. All prototypes developed by 1942 were dropped in favour of the Panther. The chassis was also used for some variants.
Destroyed Panzer IV Ausf J with Thoma Drahtgeflecht Schurzen

Panzer IV Ausf.J specifications
Dimensions L: 7.02 m  W: 2.88 m H: 2.68 m
Total weight: 25 tonnes
Crew: 5
Main Armament: 7.5 cm Kw.K 40 L/48 gun
Secondary Armament: 7.92 mm MG34 machine-gun
Armour: From 10 mm to 80 mm (80 mm on hull front)
Propulsion Maybach HL 120 TRM V12 265hp gasoline engine
Top road speed 38 km/h (23.6 mph)
Max. road range 210 km (130 miles)
Total production 1758 June 1944 – March 1945

This new kit from RFM:
We have some CAD Images of the kit in its early form to show you - these show in CAD form some of the features that apply to this Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf. J Last Production w/Full interior & Clear parts & Workable track links. The features of this kit include...

Two versions of this kit look like they are in the works - one which will be first editions with a clear roof for some of the hull parts so you can see the work inside plus a latter regular edition to entice people to purchase early no-doubt.
 When they say full interior they mean it! the engine in the rear, the midsection full of rounds and frontal driver/ radio operator's compartment are of course added to with a full interior turret.
 A cutaway view of the included sections in this kit.
 The full, details engine and drivetrain including an impressive gearbox is included in this full interior kit.
 This offers a variety of optional wheels to use in your particular subject with several return rollers, idlers and workable tracks of course included.
 A turret interior and air filters, engine and open hatches for the powerplant are included in this kit.
 The sprues for this kit - the newly tooled kit sprues on the right-hand side.
There is also an additional set that will be sold separately to this kit - the Photo-etch upgrade kit # RM-2003 Upgrade Solution Series for 5033 & 5043 Pz.kpfw.IV Ausf.J late production - this is also available in June. 
This will fit this kit and the earlier #5033 kit that is about to be released by Reyefield.

More on this kit closer to release - Until then, check out the Ryefield Website for more info on their kits.