In Box Review of Tristar 1/35th Scale
Panzer IV/70 (A) Sd.Kfz. 162/1
Kit no. 048
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2011
Out of production
I was given this kit in August of 2011, by the editor of Cybermodeler, when I was on the staff there. It sold for $69.95 back then.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2011
Out of production
I was given this kit in August of 2011, by the editor of Cybermodeler, when I was on the staff there. It sold for $69.95 back then.
HISTORY:
The Jagdpanzer IV, Sd.Kfz. 162, was a German tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis and built in three main variants. As one of the casemate-style turretless Jagdpanzer (tank destroyer, literally "hunting tank") designs, it was developed against the wishes of Heinz Guderian, the inspector general of the Panzertruppen, as a replacement for the Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III). Guderian objected against the needless, in his eyes, diversion of resources from Panzer IV tank production, as the StuG III was still more than adequate for its role.
Officially, only the L/48-armed vehicle was named Jagdpanzer IV. The L/70-armed vehicle was named Panzer IV/70. In this article, both versions are referred to in general as Jagdpanzer IV, except in the variants and surviving vehicles section.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945 (Nazi Germany), 1954–1973 (Syria)
Used by: Nazi Germany, Romania, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Finland, Spain, Croatia, Syria
Wars: World War II, War over Water, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War
Designer: Krupp
Designed: 1936
Manufacturer: Krupp, Vomag, Nibelungenwerk
Unit cost: 103,462 Reichsmarks and 115,962 Reichsmarks with 7,5 cm KwK 40 (L/43)[2]
Produced: 1936–1945
No. built: 8,553 of all tank variants
Variants: StuG IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Brummbär (Sturmpanzer IV), Nashorn, Wirbelwind, Ostwind
Specifications (Pz. IV Ausf. H, 1943)
Mass: 25.0 tonnes (27.6 short tons; 24.6 long tons)
Length: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in), 7.02 m (23 ft 0 in) gun forward
Width: 2.88 m (9 ft 5 in)
Height: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Hull front: 80 mm (3.1 in), Hull side (upper and lower): 30 mm (1.2 in), Hull rear (upper and lower): 20 mm (0.79 in), Hull roof and floor: 10 mm (0.39 in), Schürzen: 5 mm (0.20 in) to 8 mm (0.31 in), Turret front: 50 mm (2.0 in), Turret side and rear: 30 mm (1.2 in), Turret roof: 10 mm (0.39 in)
Main armament: 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun (87 rounds)
Secondary armament: 2 × 7.92 mm MG34 machine guns (3,150 rounds)
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM 12-cylinder petrol engine of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 PS (8.8 kW) / tonne
Transmission: (Synchromesh ZF SSG 77) 6 forward and 1 reverse ratios
Suspension: Leaf spring
Fuel capacity: 470–670 L (120–180 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 235–320 km (146–199 mi), Cross-country: 120–210 km (75–130 mi)
Maximum speed: 38 to 42 km/h (24 to 26 mph) maximum, 25 km/h (16 mph) max sustained road speed 16 km/h (9.9 mph) off road.
The Jagdpanzer IV, Sd.Kfz. 162, was a German tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis and built in three main variants. As one of the casemate-style turretless Jagdpanzer (tank destroyer, literally "hunting tank") designs, it was developed against the wishes of Heinz Guderian, the inspector general of the Panzertruppen, as a replacement for the Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III). Guderian objected against the needless, in his eyes, diversion of resources from Panzer IV tank production, as the StuG III was still more than adequate for its role.
Officially, only the L/48-armed vehicle was named Jagdpanzer IV. The L/70-armed vehicle was named Panzer IV/70. In this article, both versions are referred to in general as Jagdpanzer IV, except in the variants and surviving vehicles section.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945 (Nazi Germany), 1954–1973 (Syria)
Used by: Nazi Germany, Romania, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Finland, Spain, Croatia, Syria
Wars: World War II, War over Water, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War
Designer: Krupp
Designed: 1936
Manufacturer: Krupp, Vomag, Nibelungenwerk
Unit cost: 103,462 Reichsmarks and 115,962 Reichsmarks with 7,5 cm KwK 40 (L/43)[2]
Produced: 1936–1945
No. built: 8,553 of all tank variants
Variants: StuG IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Brummbär (Sturmpanzer IV), Nashorn, Wirbelwind, Ostwind
Specifications (Pz. IV Ausf. H, 1943)
Mass: 25.0 tonnes (27.6 short tons; 24.6 long tons)
Length: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in), 7.02 m (23 ft 0 in) gun forward
Width: 2.88 m (9 ft 5 in)
Height: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Hull front: 80 mm (3.1 in), Hull side (upper and lower): 30 mm (1.2 in), Hull rear (upper and lower): 20 mm (0.79 in), Hull roof and floor: 10 mm (0.39 in), Schürzen: 5 mm (0.20 in) to 8 mm (0.31 in), Turret front: 50 mm (2.0 in), Turret side and rear: 30 mm (1.2 in), Turret roof: 10 mm (0.39 in)
Main armament: 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun (87 rounds)
Secondary armament: 2 × 7.92 mm MG34 machine guns (3,150 rounds)
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM 12-cylinder petrol engine of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 PS (8.8 kW) / tonne
Transmission: (Synchromesh ZF SSG 77) 6 forward and 1 reverse ratios
Suspension: Leaf spring
Fuel capacity: 470–670 L (120–180 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 235–320 km (146–199 mi), Cross-country: 120–210 km (75–130 mi)
Maximum speed: 38 to 42 km/h (24 to 26 mph) maximum, 25 km/h (16 mph) max sustained road speed 16 km/h (9.9 mph) off road.
THE KIT:
Tristar is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of the Panzer IV/70 (A), Sd.Kfz. 162.1 in a snow-covered clearing in a forest. It is in a wave-pattern camouflage of sand, red-brown and dark-green, with black and white German cross, high on its sides and high on the right side of the front.
To the right of the cross on the sides is the black number 111 outlined in white.
The lower right corner of the box art shows a color box art of Tristar’s kit no. 35005, German Panzergrenadiers, that is said is a BONUS and is included in the kit.
One side-panel of the box gives the copyright of the kit as 2011, over Ttristar’s street address in Hong Kong, China, their telephone number, FAX number, E-mail and web addresses. Followed by a color side view photograph of the model made up in the box art scheme.
Tristar is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of the Panzer IV/70 (A), Sd.Kfz. 162.1 in a snow-covered clearing in a forest. It is in a wave-pattern camouflage of sand, red-brown and dark-green, with black and white German cross, high on its sides and high on the right side of the front.
To the right of the cross on the sides is the black number 111 outlined in white.
The lower right corner of the box art shows a color box art of Tristar’s kit no. 35005, German Panzergrenadiers, that is said is a BONUS and is included in the kit.
One side-panel of the box gives the copyright of the kit as 2011, over Ttristar’s street address in Hong Kong, China, their telephone number, FAX number, E-mail and web addresses. Followed by a color side view photograph of the model made up in the box art scheme.
The other side-panel of the box says: The kit is suitable for modelers aged 14 and over, in 10 languages, including English. Followed by 2 color box arts of other kits that Tristar manufacturers: Kit no. 35040, a Sturmpanzer IV Early Version (Mid Production) and kit no. 35049, a Fieseler F-156 C-3 Trop Storch aircraft.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 20 tan parts trees, the lone tan hull tub part, decal, brass PE fret, black vinyl trees and a section of wire screen. Only the decal sheet is in a cello bag, Nothing else is.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 6 ¾” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art of the box. Over a 2-view of the tank with wire side armor in place. PLEASE READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions are at the bottom, as well as a repeat of Tristar’s addresses, kit suitable for modelers over 14 in multiple languages, including English.
Page 2 is the parts-trees illustrations. A few parts are shown shaded-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 3 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 14 assembly steps. The bottom of the page gives decal application instructions and a color listing of Mr. Hobby and Tamiya brands of hobby paints in multiple languages, including EnglishPage 10 is a painting and marking guide. It shows three 3-views.
The first one is in the cover art scheme (already described above)
It was with the Fuhrer Begleit Brigade, Ardennes Offensive, 1944.
The second one also is in the cover art scheme. With a black number 454 and black and white German cross on its sides.
It was with the 23rd Panzer Div., Hajmasker, Hungary, 1945.
The third one is overall dark-green. It has a Soviet red star on its sides.
It was with the Red Army, Vienna, Austria, 1945
There is a single-sheet, printed in color, on one side, on slick-coated paper.
It is the assembly and painting guide for the figures. A front and back view of each figure is shown. Two figures are shown standing. The other two are seated.
Below them is a paint color listing in multiple languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
Tan letter A tree holds: vent louver panels, beams etc. (29 parts) 5 parts are excess.
This kit contains 20 tan parts trees, the lone tan hull tub part, decal, brass PE fret, black vinyl trees and a section of wire screen. Only the decal sheet is in a cello bag, Nothing else is.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 6 ¾” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art of the box. Over a 2-view of the tank with wire side armor in place. PLEASE READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instructions are at the bottom, as well as a repeat of Tristar’s addresses, kit suitable for modelers over 14 in multiple languages, including English.
Page 2 is the parts-trees illustrations. A few parts are shown shaded-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 3 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 14 assembly steps. The bottom of the page gives decal application instructions and a color listing of Mr. Hobby and Tamiya brands of hobby paints in multiple languages, including EnglishPage 10 is a painting and marking guide. It shows three 3-views.
The first one is in the cover art scheme (already described above)
It was with the Fuhrer Begleit Brigade, Ardennes Offensive, 1944.
The second one also is in the cover art scheme. With a black number 454 and black and white German cross on its sides.
It was with the 23rd Panzer Div., Hajmasker, Hungary, 1945.
The third one is overall dark-green. It has a Soviet red star on its sides.
It was with the Red Army, Vienna, Austria, 1945
There is a single-sheet, printed in color, on one side, on slick-coated paper.
It is the assembly and painting guide for the figures. A front and back view of each figure is shown. Two figures are shown standing. The other two are seated.
Below them is a paint color listing in multiple languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
Tan letter A tree holds: vent louver panels, beams etc. (29 parts) 5 parts are excess.
Tan letter B tree holds: tools, jack, tow hooks etc. (79 parts) 6 parts are excess.
Tan letter C tree holds: the roof, wall, Square parts etc. (26 parts)
Tan letter D tree holds: the casemate turret walls, mud guards, etc. (17 parts)
Tan letter E tree holds: wall panels etc. (32 parts)
Tan letter F tree holds: main gun barrel, breech, ball mantlet, etc. (73 parts).
Tan letter G tree holds: side skirt support rails, mesh supports, etc. (26 parts).
Clear H tree contains the clear parts (5 parts).
Lettering jumps to the tan letter K hull tub part (1 part)
Lettering jumps again to the 2 identical tan letter S trees. They hold the parts to build the suspension, etc. (55 parts ea.)
There are 3 identical tan letter T trees. They hold individual track links (64 parts ea.)
There are 3 identical tan letter T-A trees. They hold: return rollers, road wheels etc. (112 parts ea.) 20 parts are excess.
There are 2 identical black vinyl letter T-B trees. They hold rings and poly caps. (64 parts ea.)
Lettering jumps to the tan letter W-C tree. It holds the drive sprockets, idler wheels and final transfer covers etc. (14 parts)
Next are the 2 brass PE frets. Both hold straps etc. The large one holds 23 parts. The smaller one holds 22 parts.
The section of metal screen is next. It is to use for mesh side armor. A printed sheet in the kit has the pattern for the armor on it.
The tan BONUS kit of figures included is not alphabetized.
It holds 4 figures. Two are divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs, one is just head, torso and arms. The 4th one is full-bodied, with head, arm, overcoat parts, shoes and hands. Also on the tree are 3 canvas sacks, pistol in holster, 2 ammo pouches, canteen, bayonet in scabbard, shovel in pouch, map case (44 parts)
It holds 4 figures. Two are divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs, one is just head, torso and arms. The 4th one is full-bodied, with head, arm, overcoat parts, shoes and hands. Also on the tree are 3 canvas sacks, pistol in holster, 2 ammo pouches, canteen, bayonet in scabbard, shovel in pouch, map case (44 parts)
The decal completes the kits contents.
This is a very highly detailed kit. I recommend it only to experienced modelers that have done a lot of kits.