The Modelling News: Preview: Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Vomag. Mid Prod. July 1943. w/Interior from MiniArt

MiniArt's new Vomag Ausf.H "Mid Production" is the next kit in their full interior range of Panzer IV's. We thought we would show you just what's inside the box in our preview...

Preview:

Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Vomag. Mid Prod. July 1943. Interior Kit

From MiniArt

Kit No #35305

1/35th scale

Five colour variants are included in this kit

Photo-etch parts are included

Expected in December

Product Link on the MiniArt Website

The Subject: PzKpfw IV Ausf H (Sd Kfz 161/2) Vomag...
This was a new production model which introduced several mechanical and constructional features when introduced in mid 1943. The 7.5 cm KwK L/48, first introduced on the late Ausf G was standard, as was the thickened ( 100mm) cupola, which had a single flap rather than two half flaps. On some vehicles a V-shaped splash plate was welded to the turret roof forward of the cupola. Like the late Ausf G, the Ausf H had extra 30mm armour plates welded or bolted to the nose and front vertical plates. A new eight-spoked driving sprocket of webbed pattern was fitted, and the gearbox was changed from a ZF SSG 76 to an improved type, the ZF SSG 77.

British Officer examines a burnt-out Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H in Italy, September 1943.

The very late production Ausf H had entirely new armour disposition, a single thickness of 85mm replacing the welded or bolted layers, and the armour plates were of interlocked construction. Very late vehicles also had a new idler wheel of webbed and welded construction, the return rollers were of all steel type, and simplified limiting stops were fitted for the bogies. New vehicles were all fitted with Schurzen as standard, these being intended mainly as protection against hollow-charge projectiles of the bazooka type and anti-tank rifles of which the soviets had plenty of. The side skirts were mild steel, 5-9mm thick, hung from rails attached to the vehicle sides. These plates were removable. The turret skirting was similar but was a permanent fixture, with hinged panels opposite the turret side doors. Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste was a usual covering on new vehicles in the 1943-44 period. A semi-circular rail, Fliegerbeschussgerät, was fitted to the front of the cupola in most vehicles to take a MG 34 mount for AA defence. Output of the Ausf H was huge, Nibelungenwerke being the major producer with 46% of production. Krupp and Vomag built 27% each. Chassis numbers: 84001-90000 in at least six production bands.

Another VOMAG tank, this time June 1943 production. This tank has only one headlight, the driver's combat driving sight is gone, but the turret platform and hull still have applique armour attached with bolts.

Vomag Panzer IV H:

The Panzer IV was originally intended to be used only on a limited scale, so initially, Krupp was its sole manufacturer. Prior to the Polish campaign, only 217 Panzer IVs had been produced: 35 Ausf. A; 42 Ausf. B; and 140 Ausf. C; in 1941, production was extended to Vogtländische Maschinenfabrik ("VOMAG") (located in the city of Plauen) and the Nibelungenwerk in the Austrian city of St. Valentin.

Panzer IV Ausf H Korsun Pocket 1944

In 1941, an average of 39 tanks per month were built; this rose to 83 in 1942, 252 in 1943, and 300 in 1944. However, in December 1943, Krupp's factory was diverted to manufacture the Sturmgeschütz IV and, in the spring of 1944, the Vomag factory began production of the Jagdpanzer IV, leaving the Nibelungenwerk as the only plant still assembling the Panzer IV.

Captured Panzer IV Ausf H code 831

The Kit: Miniart's 1/35th scale Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Vomag. Mid Prod. July 1943. Interior Kit.

MiniArt is coming to market with their Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Vomag. Mid Prod. July 1943. This kit has three 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