Hey everyone! Last year at this time, IIRC, the doog lamented that a lot of nice work being done in the Group Builds forum wasn’t being seen in the Armor Forum. It got me thinking, as I am one of those builders that participates in a lot of GBs, but rarely posts any photos and such in the Armor section. A year ago I thought maybe I should change that trend. Unfortunately last year was a hectic one and I didn’t take the time to work on posting any blogs. However, one of my 2010 New Year’s resolutions is to change that! So here you go! My first OFFICIAL Build Log for the FineScale Armor Forum:
Ummmm…well maybe this one isn’t a TRUE blog as its somewhat backdated. This build started out as my entry in dupe’s “1000 Roadwheels” GB, but I didn’t finish in time. Still I managed to take some photos of the WIP and even though most of the work was done last year, it will be my first completed build of 2010. I hope you don’t mind if I post some photos of work done several weeks ago and then work my way up to the recent state of the build.
The vehicle:
Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausfuhrung A
As most of you know the Pz.Kpfw IV was considered the “workhorse” of the German armored forces during WWII. Versions ranged form the Ausf A to the Ausf J. The Ausf.A was the first production model of this tank, manufactured1937-1938. Only 35 of this version were built. It saw service in the early stages of the war, mostly in Poland, France and reputedly Norway (?). By 1941 most of the Ausf. As were relegated to training duties.
References I used:
- Panzer IV The Panzerkampfwagen IV Medium Tank, 1939-1945 by Kevin Hjermstad (squadron/signal publications)
- PzKpfw IV in action by Bruce Culver (squadron/signal publications)
- Modelling the Early Panzerkampfwagen IV by Tom Cockle (Osprey Modelling
- “OFFENSIVE – PANZERIV ausf A” article by David Parker in AFV Modeller magazine #2 (PDF file available at their website)
- “Xtreme detail – Panzer IV Ausf A” article in AFV Modeller magazine #3 (PDF file available at their website)
I found Tom Cockle’s book invaluable in helping build this kit. Good photos of the Ausf A are few and far between!
The kit:
Coree Productions 1/35 Full Resin
At this time, the Ausf A is not available in plastic from any of the major model manufacturers. Coree Productions was one of only a couple of companies that released a 1/35 kit of this version. A company called Armor Research released a couple of early Pz IV turret conversions, including the Ausf A, but no conversions for the hull. Apparently there is, or was, a company called New Connections that released an Ausf A conversion for the 1/35 Tamiya Ausf.D, but I haven’t been able to find this anywhere. The ONLY kit I can find still being manufactured is from Best Value Models, available from Azimut Productiions in France. http://www.phpshopxml.com/azimut.shop/CID/a1eb47432d26619ad62d904eeaf5dab0/function/itemPageDisplay/shopItemCode/BVM35039 This kit is a mix of resin and plastic parts from Tamiya’s Pz IV Ausf H. Other than these rare kits or conversions, using a base kit like the Tamiya Ausf D or H, or now Dragon’s or Tristar’s Ausf B or C kits, adding some aftermarket parts and/or doing a lot of scratchbuilding is the only way to build the First of the IVs!
Coree Productions was a South Korean company that specialized in resin kits, but went out of business some years ago. Some of their kits can still be found online, especially eBay, which is where I got this one. I was very fortunate as this kit is as rare as hens teeth! The kit is all resin, even the tracks, except for a sheet of photoetched parts and a length of copper wire.
Full color instructions! Well, kind of….
And here’s how the kit came packed:
Lets take a look at the resin!
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OK then! It looks like I have my hands full! Lets see what kind of trouble I can get into with this kit! Updates to come!
ps
My apologies to the participants of the "1000 Roadwheels" GB who have seen a lot of this already.