Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E
'Vorpanzer'
Dragon Kit No. 6301
1:35th Scale
Kit Summary
by Terry Ashley

But after a bit of examination the errors just kept coming and with the release of this second Panzer IV Ausf.E kit we see over fourty changes made, some big, some small and if you were really cynical you could ask was the first kit just rushed out to trump the opposition?

There are of course many who simply couldn’t be bothered with all the changes required to correct the kit and are perfectly happy with the kit as is and let’s not take away from the fact it is a generational leap in quality from previous Panzer IV kits along with the recent excellent Tristar offerings which incidentally were the first to incorporate the working suspension and other innovative features.

We also see in the pre-publicity for the soon to be released Panzer IV Ausf.D from Dragon that this kit will be based on actual measurements taken from a surviving vehicle, well hello are we to believe no one bothered to check these same measurements with the Ausf.E kit #6264?

But don’t get me wrong here as like many I love these new generation Dragon kits as can be seen from the reviews on site which are overwhelmingly positive. That said lets have a look at the new Ausf.E “Vorpanzer” to see exactly what the changes are and as mentioned there are many with just about every sprue have some changes made.

It may be worthwhile to also mention the parts you don’t get from the initial kit #6264 such as only the one late hull tub with additional armour but as the “Vorpanzer” is up armoured this hull is really the logical inclusion. The bonus figure and cactus are no longer included and the etched spare road wheel box on the left fender is omitted but again this was a typical Afrika Korps modification so its omission is again logical. One big difference is the decal sheets where instead of the multiple sheets as with nearly every recent Dragon release you only get one very small sheet with basic markings for five vehicles.

All the metal parts and etched frets, though laid out differently on the frets are still included from the initial kit minus the fender box as mentioned so you still get a pretty good box full.

Metal parts

Etched parts

Instead of going thought the whole kit as usual I will simply list all the changed parts with images of the original and new parts to show the updates and also some assemblies (e.g. the drive sprockets) have additional parts as well as the new ‘Vorpanzer’ parts which I will also show. A full description of the initial kit parts can be found with the review of Kit #6264.

But first a quick word on the lower hull tub which has had major reworking. Starting with the notorious final drive housing which has been raised by about 1mm with a new separate front hull section. The overall length of the lower hull tub has been shortened by 2mm within the section back from the add-on hull armour. This results in the underside hull section being shorter and the idler wheel support fairings being 2mm shorter. The upper hull though is still the same length and the rear hull angle is the same so it will take a full build to determine where that 2mm has gone in the scheme of things.

To the list:

Lower Hull:


1. Final drives on lower hull raised to correct position
2. Lower hull overall length reduced by 2mm
3. Idler mounting fairings reduced in width
4. Bolts on idler mount supports re-orientated
5. Separate front hull panel
6. Final drive housings redesigned with separate axle stub
7. Separate front section of hull final drive redesigned
8. Additional armoured panel for final drive housing
9. Drive Sprockets redesigned with enlarge rim bolts in correct position
10. Inner sprocket redesigned to fit new axle stub and face plate added
11. Return rollers reduced in size (rubber section)
    
    Upper Hull:
    
    
12. Bullet splash plate around turret reduced in size
13. Rear left bullet splash section relocated to correct position
14. Right superstructure side has rear intake removed
15. Right superstructure side has redesigned details
16. Left superstructure side has redesigned locating holes
17. Right front crew hatch fitting re-orientated
18. Driver’s plate has redesigned visor opening (smaller)
19. Driver’s outer visor redesigned
20. Glacis has inspection hatches relocated further forward to the correct position
21. Front Headlights resized (larger)
22. Siren resized (larger)
23. Mountings for front plate armour redesigned
24. Right additional armour panel redesigned
25. Hull MG coaming redesigned (larger size)
26. Rear underside hull plate reduced in size
27. Rear hull join flange redesigned to correct size with bolt heads added both sides of flange
28. Fender contours redesigned around front superstructure each side
29. Front fender fillets redesigned
30. Rear fender fillets redesigned
31. Exhaust mountings altered
32. Barrel cleaning rods increased in size (naked and moulded on tool clips)
33. Shovel lengthened (naked and moulded on tool clips)
    
    Turret:
    
    
34. Front plate angles corrected
35. Front visor shape modified
36. Coaxial MG raised
37. Antenna deflector shape corrected
38. Side hatch stops relocated
39. Side hatches revised
40. Side hatch hinges revised
41. Screw pattern in roof revised to line up with front visors (front left moved 1mm inboard)
42. Inner gun guard redesigned
43. Lower turntable redesigned with locating holes fully opened up.

I may well have missed some here as many are minor adjustments and if anyone has some more I’d be pleased to update this list.

And so after all this we have to ask; is the initial Panzer IV Ausf E kit #6264 one of the most inaccurate Panzer IV kits ever released or is this new Panzer IV Ausf.E “Vorpanzer” kit just a refinement of an already fine kit? That question will be up to the individual and their view of what they want in a kit?

Clear parts

Decals:
The single small decal sheet is well printed with good colour register and quite thin carrier film cropped close to the printed image. The sheet has three balkenkreuze and a couple of other markings allowing you to decorate one of the five basic schemes offered;

• Pz.Ers.Abt.5, Germany 1942 (overall Panzer Grey with balkenkreuze on superstructure sides and small ‘6’ and ‘WK’ on turret)
• Pz.Ers.Abt., Nimes 1942 (overall Panzer Grey with balkenkreuze on superstructure sides and “Hansi” on front hull plate)
• Pz.Rgt.31, Russia 1942 (overall Panzer Grey with balkenkreuze on superstructure sides)
• Pz.Ers.Abt.5, Germany 1942 (overall Panzer Grey with balkenkreuze on superstructure sides)
• Pz.Ers.Abt.4, Germany 1942 (overall Dark Yellow with balkenkreuze on superstructure sides and “1” on turret sides)

Conclusion:
Whatever your thoughts on the initial Panzer IV Ausf E kit, this new “Vorpanzer” kit has many details corrected and will build into a superb model with the option of building a standard late Ausf.E if you wish.

I can only assume that all the revised parts will find their way into the initial Panzer IV E kit #6264 at some time but makes for yet another lucky dip at purchase where you don’t really know what’s in the box, old or new.

Highly recommended

References:

	Panzer Tracts No.4 Panzerkampfwagen IV Typical Panzer Tracts book with excellent technical descriptions and detailed coverage of the Panzer IV.
	Achtung Panzer No.3 Panzer IV Excellent detail coverage of the Panzer IV with the usual detail photos and drawings of all versions of the Panzer IV.
	Panzerkampfwagen IV Medium Tank 1936-45 Osprey New Vanguard 28 ISBN: 1855328437
	Panzer IV & Its Variants Walter J. Spielberger Schiffer Publishing ISBN: 0887405150
	PzKpfw IV Ausf.A to J Tanks in Detail 1 Ian Allan Publishing.
	PzKpfw IV Squadron Signal Publications Special #6081 The usual in action fare with photos and drawings of the Pz.IV versions
	PzKpfw IV in action #2012 Squadron Signal Publications The usual in action fare with photos and drawings of the Pz.IV versions

Thanks to my credit card and the usual prompt service from Rainbow Ten for the review kit.

Page created March 8, 2006