Plastic model of the Panzer IV J tank

The diorama represents the German medium PzKpfw IV J tank, in the colors of these vehicles in Prussia at the end of World War II.

The model of the tank was built in 1:35 scale from the Dragon set. The plastic model was enriched with photo-etched plates from the Griffon Model company. The side anti-tank screens, among others things, were made from these plates. The side anti-tank screens, in fact, were making of steel mesh.

The water was made of a special two-component resin for dioramas from AK-Interactive. The snow is also a special product for modellers, this time additionally combined with an acrylic primer for priming stretchers bought in an artist's shop.

Panzer IV tanks were produced from 1938 until the end of the World War II. About 9,000 copies of various versions were produced. The J version was produced from June 1944 for 9 months. Over 3,000 copies were produced. The armor-piercing screens, which are visible in the photos of the model, were just introduced in the J version.

The tank was equipped with a 296 hp (221 kW) V-type gasoline 12-cylinder engine.

Some technical data:

• Length: 7.02 m (23.03 ft),
• Width: 2.88 m (9.45 ft),
• Height: 2.68 m (8.79 ft),
• Mass: 25,000 kg (55,116 lb),
• Speed: 38 km/h (23.6 mph),
• Range on the road: 320 km (199 mi),
• Off-road range: 210 km (130 mi),
• Crew: 5.

Armament:

• 7.5 cm (2.95 in) L/48 gun,
• 2 x 7.92 mm (0.31 in) machine guns.

Sources:

• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzerkampfwagen_IV#PzKpfw_IV_Ausf._J
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_IV

1 Nov. 2022