Osprey Publishing

Modelling the Late Panzerkampfwagen IV Osprey Modelling #38

by  Tom Cockle & Gary Edmundson

Reviewed By  Mark Aldrich, IPMS# 39295

MSRP: $18.95 ISBN: 9781846031120 www.ospreypublishing.com Osprey's latest Modelling masterpiece is the late model Panzer IV. Thanks to Dragon Models Incorporated, the model builder has a vast array and assortment of different Panzer IV's to choose from when deciding which one they may wish to build. If your desire tends to lean you to a late model version, then is book is for you. This book is #38 in the continuing series from Osprey and written by Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson. The models included in this book were also built by one or the other. The book is typical soft bound Osprey and is 80 pages long. It is broken down into eleven chapters and a one page color reference chart. The chapters are broken down into an introduction, tools and materials, four "in depth" build reviews, a four page; three model mini review section, a museum and collections chapter, a books, media, and websites section, a 1/35 kits available section and index. The Panzerkampfwagen IV was to Germany what the Sherman was to the USA and Allies. The Panzer IV was the most widely produced and used of all the panzer tanks in the German arsenal. It may not have been the fastest, strongest, greatest or most powerful vehicle, but it is probably one of the best known tanks from the period. Like the Sherman, it went through quite a few changes and modifications throughout it's five plus year build existence. I jumped at the chance to review this book in the hopes that there would be a Syrian Panzer IV build included. Alas, no such luck. However, there are seven great Panzer IV builds that are absolutely gorgeous. These include an Ausf F2 DAK, Ausf H 4th Panzer Division, Ausf J 11th Panzer Division, Ausf J 5th Panzer Division, Ausf G 1st SS Panzer division, Ausf H 2nd Panzer Division, and an Ausf J 12th SS Panzer Division. Typical of these manuals, the works are absolutely beautiful. These builds contain lots of brand name extras but also contain large quantities of sheet and shaped styrene and home made resin parts as well. Both authors/builders tell a concise and detailed building sequence with well detailed photographs to accompany the write ups. For those of you that love the Panzer IV, this is another MUST HAVE book. I would like to, once again, thank Heather Feinstein of Osprey Publishing, and IPMS/USA for giving me the opportunity to review this latest modeling manual.

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