Modelling the Late Panzerkampfwagen IV

Introduction

The Panzerkampfwagen IV went through hseveral improvements during its lifetime and is the only German tank to have been produced continuously throughout World War II.

During the battle of France in 1940, the 7.5cm KwK L/24 gun had proved itself capable of penetrating the armour of most French and British tanks. However, encounters with the heavy Russian KV and T-34 tanks in 1941 resulted in a recommendation that the 7.5cm KwK 40 L/43 be installed in the Panzerkampfwagen IV. Initially, the new tank was known as the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2. In June 1942, the designation was changed to Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G, and in July it was ordered that all Pz.Kpfw. IV fitted with the 7.5KwK 40 were to be known as Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G.

Major production modifications included adding 30mm armour plates to the front of the hull and superstructure, replacing the Notek light with a Bosch headlight on each fender, adding smoke discharger tubes on each side of the turret, introducing a modified commander's cupola with a single hatch, adding armour skirts to the turret and hull sides, and an air filter to the right fender. A total of 1,930 vehicles were produced from March 1942 until June 1943.

The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H was produced from May 1943 until February 1944. in June 1943, the frontal armour plates were increased to 80mm thick and the visors on the sides of the superstructure were eliminated. In September 1943, Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine coating was applied at the factories, with some tanks receiving field applications by divisional maintenance companies. Welded dampers for the roadwheels, forged hubcaps, steel return rollers and a cast idler were other modifications introduced in late 1943. in all, 2,322 Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H were completed.

The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. J was the last version to be produced, starting in February 1944. among the changes introduced were the elimination of the visors and pistol ports in the turret side hatches, the welding of three sockets on the turret roof for mounting a 2-ton jib crane, the conversion of the exhaust to a Flammenvernichter version, the elimination of the Zimmerit, the conversion to hull side skirts made from heavy wire mesh instead of steel plates, the installation of a swiveling cupola lid, the extension of the hull sides on the front and rear with holes for towing, and the elimination of one return roller on each side.