%20L70%20Last%20900.webp)
Another release set for next month is Border Models new Pz.Kpfw.IV70(A) (Last or final production). In our preview, we take a look at the machine & the final variant details, plus the contents of the kit...
Preview: Pz.Kpfw.IV70(A) (Last) from Border Models in 1/35th scale set for a July release
Pz.Kpfw.IV70(A) (Last)
From Border Models
1/35th scale
Product No #BT-039
Plastic & Photo-etched kit.
%20L70%20Last.webp)
The subject: The Pz.Kpfw.IV70(A)
Attempts by Germany in WWII to place the 7.5 cm L/70 into a Panzer IV turret were proposed by the firm of Alkett in the form of the Panzer IV/70(A) series. Their design simply reused a modified Vomag Panzer IV/70(V) superstructure (armed with the 7.5 cm L/70 gun) and placed it on a standard Panzer IV tank chassis, resulting in a much taller and heavier vehicle than the Panzer IV/70(V) version.
A late model Panzer IV/70 (A) with the protective schürzen either side...
%20L70%20Last%20Border%20Models%20(1).webp)
In July 1944, Hitler issued an interim order to hasten Nibelungenwerke's conversion from Panzer IV to Panzer IV/70 manufacturing in order to get Pak 42 L/70 armed vehicles to the front as quickly as feasible. The Jagdpanzer IV superstructure was to be redesigned so that it could be put onto a typical Panzer IV chassis, and the "A" stands for Alkett, a producer of the StuG III.
Panzer IV/70 (A) code 925, 1945, with some new owners...
%20L70%20Last%20Border%20Models%20(4).webp)
A redesigned chassis was employed in the Vomag design to provide a very low silhouette. Additional vertical steel plates had to be placed onto the Panzer IV's basic chassis in order to account for height discrepancies in mounting the superstructure to the hull. The final vehicle was around 40cm taller, and lacked the sharp edged nose of the Vomag variant.
Panzer IV/70(A) in ruins of Mittelwihr, France February 1945
The production run underwent minor revisions and enhancements, as well as a number of field upgrades, the most prevalent of which was the addition of armour schürzen. Later vehicles had three return rollers rather than the original four, and adopted the twin vertical exhausts typical of the late Panzer IV series.
The last near complete surviving Panzer IV/70 (A) tank destroyer at Musée des Blindes at Saumur
%20L70%20Last%20Border%20Models%20(3).webp)
The kit from Border Models
Hot on the heels of Tamiya's recent release of a the Alkett variant and their own Vomag kit, Border Models releases their version with a similar feature set. This kit features a few interesting points that we have discovered, just by looking at the box art.
The kit features the latter-type tracks for this variant. These come as link & length tracks in the kit. Photo-etch for the screens and the finer parts of the kit are included. Latter (steel) road wheels are included. There are two marking choices in the box and a metal gun barrel for L70 is included.
Stowage is included, with those T-34 extra armour tracks (hope it's been to the eastern front), sacks, spare helmets and of course, what German tank could operate without a water bucket?
More info as it comes to hand - You can check out the Border Models website for more information...
