A large percentage of the Panzer IV H were constructed at the Krupp-Grusonwerk plant in the period of August through September in 1943. MiniArt has recreated this variant, with a full interior in a super detailed kit in 35th scale. W have the colour variants, some of the features and a little on the Panzer IV H in our preview...
New Miniart Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Vomag. Early Prod May 1943. Interior kit coming soon:
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Krupp-Grusonwerk. Mid Prod. Aug-Sep 1943. Interior Kit
From Miniart Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35330
Decals for three variants
The Subject: Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Krupp-Grusonwerk. Mid Prod. Aug-Sep 1943
The Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf H entered production in April of 1943 as the ninth variant of Panzerkampfwagen IV tank family (9 Serie BW). This medium tank received a designation of Sd.Kfz.161/2. Production took place until July of 1944 and Ausf H reached the largest production figures of any Panzerkampfwagen IV model with 3774 produced by Krupp-Gruson AG in Magdeburg, Vomag AG in Plauen and Nibelungenwerke AG in St.Valentin. The last company produced the most of Ausf H tanks until it switched production to the next and final variant Ausf J. Chassis numbers for Ausf H were 84401 to approx.89540.
A total of 2,324 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H were produced by Krupp-Gruson from June 1943 to February 1944. This variant saw the integrity of the glacis armour improved by manufacturing it as a single 80-millimetre plate. To prevent adhesion of magnetic anti-tank mines, which the Germans feared would be used in large numbers by the Allies, Zimmerit paste was added to all the vertical surfaces of the tank's armour. The vehicle's side and turret were further protected by the addition of 5 mm side-skirts and 8 mm turret skirts.
During the Ausf. H's production run, its rubber-tired return rollers were replaced with cast steel; the hull was fitted with triangular supports for the easily-damaged side-skirts. A hole in the roof, designed for the Nahverteidigungswaffe, was plugged by a circular armoured plate due to shortages of this weapon. These modifications meant that the tank's weight jumped to 25 tonnes, reducing its speed, a situation not improved by the decision to adopt the Panzer III's six-speed SSG 77 transmission, which was inferior to that of earlier-model Panzer IVs.
MiniArt's new kit: What we know...
MiniArt is coming to market with their Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Krupp-Grusonwerk. Mid Prod. Aug-Sep 1943 kit. This is, of course, an expansion on their other excellent Panzer IV series. This one comes with a full interior and the embellishments to make it into an H Krupp-Grusonwerk, Mid-production vehicle from the time period of Aug-Sep 1943.
This kit has four marking choices and also a full interior for those who want to see all of the details inside once the turret is off.
Kit Features
Driver compartment interior accurately represented
Fully detailed fighting compartment interior
Highly detailed interior of the turret
All hatches can be posed open & closed
Full ammunition included
Engine included
Workable tracks included
Clear plastic parts included
Photo-etched parts included
Decal sheet for 4 options
Other new MiniArt Kits Available January 2021
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