PzKpfw IV Austf. F1

[littletankman]

Hi John Ive just got a Pz.IV . Its basic but that will change I noticed you reduced the mantlet , this is something I noticed . Im thinking of making mine an Aus.H or J . Im very impressed with your work . Im no expert on this model but Im no researching it . Id like mine to be a Normandy version possible 12th XX not sure yet may be Heer ? Any tips on errors are welcome , thanks.

All the best Andy

[Mackem]

Hi Andy,

The Pz IV is a great tank to work on I'm sure you will be pleased with it.
The gun mantlet mod was a nightmare! But it was necessary as the un-modded mantlet is far to wide.
The Pz IV has a slit in the right hand side of the turret front for the gun sight which the HL mantlet totally obscures. The gun sight slit doesnt exist either, I drilled a 5mm vertical line of 1mm holes then used a fine round file to join the holes up and make the slit.


There are a lot of detail differences between the Ausf. H and your Ausf. F1.
The commanders cupola is a different design.
The commanders hatch was changed to a one piece unit that opened to the left.
The vision ports on the turret sides were removed............ and the list goes on.

The easiest way I can think of making sure that you re-create all of these changes would be to buy a 1:35 kit of the Ausf. H. This would also give you a guide as to the mounting of the schurzen.

I hope this helps Andy and I'm looking forward to following your build thread.

Cheers
John

[littletankman]

Hi John.
  Thanks for that it was very helpfull . I have the Osprey books ' modeling the Pz.IV ' and ' The Pz.IV Ausf. G , H and J ' These are not to bad . I also have a 1:18 RC 21century Pz.IV not to sure how good that is and Ive also got the Tamiya mag with a build there on the 1:16 full option Tamiya Pz.IV Ausf J . Which to me is an early one as hes still got the normal exhaust not the vertical ones and also the front S/C  hook holders are fixed to the tank and not part of the side structure ? He also mentions about the tracks been different . I knew they would have the cleats on but theres variations in them to ? But he does say the ones he wants are for the late Ausf.J . But I think his / the Tamiya one is an early one .

Thanks Andy

[Wight]

Hi John.
Utterly stunning!!
Your painting and weathering is first class.

Cheers,
Steve.

[Mackem]

Steve: Considering the work you have done on your Sherman praise from you is praise indeed! Many many thanks 

Andy : There were minor differences (exhausts etc ) between most Pz IV's even of the same version, due to shortages, air raids and field mods/repairs. This is great for us modellers as nobody can really look at your Pz IV and say, "That's wrong". That build you have in the tamiya mag looks like an excellent reference, have you decided to do an Ausf. J?

Cheers
John

[littletankman]

Hui John ,
Im thinking of doing one yes , but not 100% . I like The Pz.IVs and if I do the J I would love to do another version to .
Thanks for getting back Andy