In Box Review of Trumpeter 1/35th Scale German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F Fahrgestell
Munitions Carrier
Item no. 00363
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2006
Available at Hobby Linc for $60.39 or at Squadron for $60.79 or at 1001 Hobbies for $55.99 or at Sprue Brothers for $73.99 and at Kitlinx for $61.55.
Also at 2 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2006
Available at Hobby Linc for $60.39 or at Squadron for $60.79 or at 1001 Hobbies for $55.99 or at Sprue Brothers for $73.99 and at Kitlinx for $61.55.
Also at 2 locations overseas on the web.
THE KIT:
Trumpeter is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Macau, China. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F Fahrgestell with a crane mounted on it. With a crew loading ammo onto a rail gun. There are 8 men in the crew. They all wear field grey uniforms and billed cloth field caps.
The rail gun and the tank are both overall grey.
One side panel of the box shows color illustrations of the 2 metal ammo rounds and 5 brass PE frets that are in the kit, Followed by PRECAUTIONS: Contains small parts suitable for ages over 14. This box contains parts for construction of one scale model. Glues and paints are not included in the kit. With English instructions.
Trumpeter is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer, based in Macau, China. They make all manner of plastic model kit subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F Fahrgestell with a crane mounted on it. With a crew loading ammo onto a rail gun. There are 8 men in the crew. They all wear field grey uniforms and billed cloth field caps.
The rail gun and the tank are both overall grey.
One side panel of the box shows color illustrations of the 2 metal ammo rounds and 5 brass PE frets that are in the kit, Followed by PRECAUTIONS: Contains small parts suitable for ages over 14. This box contains parts for construction of one scale model. Glues and paints are not included in the kit. With English instructions.
The other side-panel of the box shows 6 color walk-around type photos of the model made up. Followed by: The history of the tank in English and Chinese.
There was a flood in my basement, years ago. This kit got slightly damp and this side-panel got faded by wetness.
In the instructions are two 5 view color profiles for the color schemes. The first is in the 3 color 1943 scheme and the second profile in Panzer Gray. Gunze Sangyo Mr. Colors are recommended with their corresponding numbers.
The kit contains 20 light gray styrene parts trees. For a total of 674 parts, plus five frets of photo-etched details and, In addition, the kit features two turned aluminum 600mm mortar rounds.
There are 204 individual track links (102 per side) should you opt to use these links, though the kit also provides vinyl tracks for those adverse to using the links.
Light-grey letter A tree holds: road wheels, axles etc. (60 parts)
There are 204 individual track links (102 per side) should you opt to use these links, though the kit also provides vinyl tracks for those adverse to using the links.
Light-grey letter A tree holds: road wheels, axles etc. (60 parts)
Light-grey letter B and C trees are co-joined.
Letter B holds: final transfer covers, rear hull wall etc. (44 parts)
Letter C holds: idler wheels, drive sprockets etc. (32 parts)
There is no letter D tree.
There is no letter D tree.
Light-grey letter E tree holds: fenders, floor, hoist parts etc. ( 25 parts)
There are 2 identical light-grey letter F trees, that holds: return rollers etc. (43 parts ea.)
There are 2 identical light-grey letter G trees, that holds ammo rounds (10 parts ea.)
Light-grey letter H tree holds: the hull top, crane parts etc. (55 parts)
Lettering jumps to the 8 identical letter K trees. They hold individual track links (32 parts ea.)
Lettering jumps again to the 2 identical, co-joined, light-grey letter N & P trees.
Letter N holds: the jack, tools etc. (15 parts)
Letter P holds more tools (10 parts)
Letter N holds: the jack, tools etc. (15 parts)
Letter P holds more tools (10 parts)
The last light-grey tree is the hull tub part (1 part)
There are 5 brass PE frets in the kit with parts for the crane components as well as the tank hull.
Next there is the vinyl tracks (2 tracks)
Last is a length of white string, lengths of wire and the 2 turned aluminum ammunition rounds.
The decal sheet completes the contents of the kit.
Since there is no turret in this version of the vehicle, there is a covered ammo pallet mounted atop the rear of the hull, the nicely detailed 3-ton crane, and eight complete styrene 600mm rounds, the rest of the parts are strictly hull and suspension. It has a large crane mounted where the turret used to be.
Aside from the extensive photo-etched details, the styrene layout and assembly steps look very straightforward. In the hands of an experienced modeler, this should be a pleasant build.
However, this kit is definitely not for the novice or beginning modeler.
The detail is excellent.
Aside from the extensive photo-etched details, the styrene layout and assembly steps look very straightforward. In the hands of an experienced modeler, this should be a pleasant build.
However, this kit is definitely not for the novice or beginning modeler.
The detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.