Tankman's Panzer IV rebuild

[littletankman]

Hi Tankman , I have just obtained a basic HL Pz.IV with metal suspension. Im impressed with your work . I to noticed the mantlet is incorect . Can you tell me Ive a couple of books just on the Pz.IV and they show the Ausf.G I think with the same drive sprocket as the stock HL one but the Ausf.H and J have a different one ? I will be gutting mine and fitting the longer barrel and recoil . But its a long way of yet . Did you try to remove the moulded tools as I dont want to mess the tank up by cutting them of ?

Thanks Andy

[littletankman]

Hi Tankman ,
My next project might be my Pz.IV (HL) Can I ask your engine grills on the rear of the tank are oblong on , the one to the rear on my ones got a corner taken of . Did you rebuild these also changing the mantlet was this easy ?

Thanks Andy

[tankman]

Hi littletankman sorry for the delay in getting back to you but we have been away for the last 2 weeks on our holidays. To answer your questions about the panzer IV, first off I had to modify the stock mantlet to get the correct shape. I used model filler and plasticard to get a corrected shape. As to the engine grills I removed the one with a cut off corner and replaced it with one from an 1/18 scale model I had as a spares donor. Now for the good news you can replace both rear hatches on the H/L panzer IV with metal ones now  saves a lot of work. Hope this helps you a bit any further questions feel free to ask.
Alan
PS I did not remove the moulded tools. 

[littletankman]

Hi Tankman,
I hope you had a nice holiday , were of next week . Thanks for your advice .I to have a 1:18 Pz.IV but I might scratch build them . Thanks for getting back.

Andy