Contemplating a Panzer IV build? Then...

[43rdRecceReg]

good thing I saw this, Im starting a Heng Long IV build. Thank you. Awesome Info

You're very welcome. More to follow, and I shall follow your build with keen interest.

[43rdRecceReg]

Here's the Tamiya Panzer IV lower hull, absolutely starkers:

Bare Tamiya Panzer IV lower hull

Here the black lines indicate centre points of the first three return rollers, relative to the rearmost one:

Tamiya Pz IV return roller configuration

A detail of the rear roller shows a gap of approx 3mm between it and a centre line through the other three.

Rearmost return roller detail

[43rdRecceReg]

Here's my surgically shortened Asiatam rolling lower Hull/chassis:

Asiatam PZ IV rolling metal hull/chassis

Asiatam Pz IV metal hull

But here it is serving as the basis for a Hybrid Panzer IV; a combination that avoids two of the three major errors (Return Roller and Engine deck slope), and only needs a spot of sawing to lower the lid of the Turret storage bin...

Tamiya/HL/Taigen /Asiatam hybrid Pz IV

and another peek:

Panzer IV hybrid

The hybrid consists of: Asiatam metal hull, with Asiatam/Taigen metal running gear; Tamiya ausf.J upper hull, and HL/Taigen airsoft Turret (ausf F2/G). This is one way of building a fairly accurate Pz IV, although the amount of additional detailing needed, (as per desired version type), to make an acceptable model remains a personal choice- based on finances, level of modelling fanaticism, and of course the availability of parts. Altogether, it still works out cheaper than the boxed Tamiya full-option
package.

[43rdRecceReg]

Then again..another option might be to plant the Heng Long/Taigen upper hull and turret onto the Tamiya chassis. It looks do-able with a few mods.. What's more the Upper hull + turret is as cheap as chips in Airsoft format.

Tamiya/HL Pz IV hybrid..

[HERMAN BIX]

This is a fantastic 'how to' on the PzIV.
May I suggest this goes into the "Things to fix on your new tank:" section ?

We would all benefit from this advice not sinking to the back pages

[Arnie_DK]

First of is the HL/Taigen lower in plastic, with the modified return roller.


Then we have an unmodified Asiatam Lower. No mods. Just axle supports under the hubs. Fits right in. Although the fenders on the upper hull had to be extended, in order to go over the drive wheels.


And last the new Metal Lower from taigen with no mods. Nothing at all as it cant be done, wothout a lot of cutting and grinding.


All three side by side.

Heh... Dont think I ever quoted myself before
But I noticed something I've never noticed before in these pics.

It seems to me like all the return rollers on the Asiatam hull is lover than the rest. The drive sprocket seems to be in the same position on all of them.

[43rdRecceReg]

To my eye, Arnie, you're right about the Asiatam rear return roller being lower; but the top of its front sprocket also seems to be positioned higher than with other models (in line with the top of the first three rollers)..making it actually correct. Feel free to quote yourself as often as you need, and give yourself a pat on the back for your triple comparison shots while you're at it:thumbup:
Overall, the Asiatam lower hull seems to be on par with Tamiya in terms of accuracy. Its such a pity that it's a pig to work with

[43rdRecceReg]

This is a fantastic 'how to' on the PzIV.
May I suggest this goes into the "Things to fix on your new tank:" section ?

We would all benefit from this advice not sinking to the back pages

Sounds reasonable to me, HB...so long as it doesn't vanish into the ether in transit I suppose some of the more detailed threads might benefit from being cross referenced to in other categories ( 'see also' type references..I mean. Just a thought for the future)

[B_Man]

Here are a few reference pics of a stock Tamiya Panzer IV if anyone needs them. No mods other than a few minor cosmetic details. If anyone needs close ups of any parts just let me know and I'll post them up.

[c.rainford73]

That's absolutely fantastic looking!