Panzer IV Ausf F1 to H Build

[billpe]

It was a study done to either prove or disprove its effects. Basically the sub calibre round has a soft outer case, when it hit the tracks it would strip this from the core. The core is then left to impart all its energy into the armour. I think the evidence is catalogued in one of the panzer tracts books.

It is double edged though as it would have had positive effects against AT rifle, HE and HEAT rounds. Given the main armour the Germans faced was soviet and they mainly used HE rounds, you can see why this order was ignored.

[HERMAN BIX]

What gets me is that the stand off effect of hanging the tracks with the guide horn facing the armour would have been better protection, if a bit harder to achieve.
The fuel cans though I'm positive would have only been for route march from dispersal areas to the area deemed safe enough behind the front. Although, at the time of D-Day plus- I could not think of anywhere safe from "Jabo's "

This aside, Im looking forward to seeing this IV looking like the photo. WITH the jerry cans please !

[edpanzer]

Great build can't wait for the next installment

[greengiant]

One thought on the fuel cans. They may be empties being taken to be filled and then distributed throughout the units vehicles before going to battle.

[KTRob]

Thanks guys, I haven't done much since my last update as work's taking up much time.

I finished making a jack block:



The rivets were made b gripping a short piece of copper wire in pliers and peining the end flat with a jewellers hammer.

I have also made a set of external air filters from some brass scrap, the end caps were made with some thin styrene and a leather punch.


Not the best or tidiest job, just eyeballed from some pics on the net.

Quick dry fitting with antenna trough (the mount was deleted on the H and moved to the rear L/hand corner of the hull, I assume the trough was left so a spare could be carried?)



Looking at photos in books and online, it looks like a lot of the H's had no zim on the hull sides above the fenders, or some at the front around the vision ports. I assume the Schurzen would have stopped anyone getting to the hull wall to attach a mine anyway.

So that's a bit less zim to do.

In order to improve the suspension I have got hold of an old recoil spring from a mower engine and plan to make some extra leaves to help the suspension work better.

Rob

[KTRob]

Hi Guys been busy, got the air cleaner assembly finished and attached, quick blast of primer:

The box the pipes go into is some scrap styrene and the pipes are fish tank airline.

I have made up a set of tool clamps from some scrap brass sheet and copper wire, not aber but they look OK and are easier to make!

Also painted the tools, will probably weather these a bit before they go on the tank


I have sorted the jerry can situation, I won a job lot of tank stowage on fleabay, included were about 35 cans and a mould to make more so no shortage


Finally I had a bit of a play with those front fender hinges, I did look through the links provided by you guys, loads of useful stuff but couldn't find anything quite right for this, so I cut the fender off and ground out an area for a chopped down dolls house hinge, once this was fitted I added some styrene to tidy things up and a pin from a brass offcut, what do you think?





I will probably thin the fender down with a dremel, as its way too thick at the moment.

Robert

[HERMAN BIX]

The bloody dolls house thing again
I like the clamps mate, the concept of an Aber set just puts me to flight !
Good onya

[KTRob]

Cheers Herman

I did an aber set on a Panther, they are a bit too fiddly for my liking so went with an easier option.

[philipat]

Nice clamps.

Do tell more about the doll house hinges. Are they already sized to allow you to replace the pins with the brass rod?

Herman Bix, don't like the doll house hinges?

[HERMAN BIX]

Oh no mate !!..............I like them, its just an ongoing 'thing' about the first place some lucky buggers go to for TANK parts, is a DOLLS HOUSE shop !!
These places are like mystical worlds that seem to supply no limit of option for the most unlikely of requirements for guys that build damn TANKS