Dragon Models Ltd

1/35 - Panzer IV Ausf. J Mid Production

Kit Number: 6556 (Smart Kit)

Reviewed by  Michael Delano, IPMS# 45465

MSRP: $49.95 Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com Dragon's latest Panzer IV kit - this time a rendition of the mid production Ausf. J - is yet another fine addition to the rest of the Panzer IV line. The hallmarks of this particular kit are the included flame suppressing mufflers and schurzen, or side skirts to aid in defense against anti-tank rifles The kit contains over 1000 parts distributed among 24 gray plastic sprues, 1 clear sprue, 1 photo etched fret, 2 etched nickel frets, and 288 individual magic track links. Additionally, a 30cm length of wire is included for tow cables. A very nice sheet of Cartograf decals are included with markings and painting guide for 4 different units. Unit markings provided are as follows: Pz. Abt. 115, 15.Pz.Gren.Div, Champs, Belgium 1944 Pz.Abt.2111, 111.Pz.Grig., Eastern France, 1944 (Turret No. 111) Unidentified Units, Western Front, 1944 (Turrets No. 721, 722, or 723) F rench 1er Groupe Mobile de Reconnaissance FFI, St. Nazaire 1945

Out of the box, the kit goes together very well. All of the sprues were clean and crisp with no flash and very little cleanup. The included magic tracks needed very little preparation. For convenience's sake, the left and right track links are slightly different shades of gray to distinguish between them. Unfortunately, I was not paying enough attention when I was shaping the right-hand side track run and ended up winding it around the road wheels in reverse order - a very careless mistake on my part. I began the kit by separating the assemblies into 6 main sections: Lower hull and suspension Upper hull and fenders Road wheels, sprockets, and idlers Turret, turret skirt, and main gun Left and right side track runs Left and right side schurzen It is important to note that the instructions call for mounting the fenders to the lower hull. I departed from this somewhat by making modifications to the firewall (part no. B24), allowing me to attach the fenders directly to the upper hull. This modification allowed me to simply drop the entire upper hull assembly over the lower hull.

To shape and place the track runs, all the links were ultimately assembled and then run around the temporarily placed sprockets, idlers, and road wheels. This is done using Tamiya's thin cement as letting it sit for about 15 minutes or so gives you the freedom to work with an entirely completed track run without it falling apart on you. The track runs were wrapped around the running gear and then left to dry overnight so they would maintain their rigidity when they were removed for painting. The instructions call for 99 links per side; however, I used 102 links per side in order to get some sag.

Once completed, the track lengths were set aside and everything else got a once over of Floquil Oxide Red. Once dry, all the sub assemblies were given a base coat of Floquil Depot Buff. For my markings, I decided to go with a unit of Pz. Abt. 115, 15.Pz.Gren.Div, though I took some artistic license in the camouflage patterning using Floquil Depot Olive. With all of the painting done, everything was given a coat of Future. Once the coat of Future was dry, all of the appropriate decals were applied and set with Microset and Mr. Hobby Mr. Mark Softer. Everything was given another once over with Future and set aside to completely dry.

With the main unit and other sub assemblies set aside, I moved to my track assemblies. They were each initially primed with Mr. Surfacer 1200 followed by Floquil Oxide Red, and finally a coat of Testors Model Master Gun Metal Non-Buffing Metalizer. The track runs were set aside and I moved my attention back to the main unit With the last coat of Future dry, I began my weathering using various oil washes and dry brushing. This was capped off by a final coat of Testors Dullcote Lacquer. The track was done using a generous application of a mixture of burnt sienna, raw sienna, and yellow ochre artist oil in Testors thinner. I like using this for my track runs as it flows well on application, and when dry, gives what I think to be a good illusion of dirty track. As usual, the detail of the kit was wonderful and assembly was straightforward with almost no extra cleanup needed. Overall, I have to say that, as with most Dragon kits, I enjoyed this one quite a bit! Many thanks to Dragon and IPMS for allowing me the opportunity to review this kit!