In the last few years, there have been a number of new Panzer IV kits, and Border joined in with kits depicting the Ausf, F, G, and J. It seems obvious that an Ausf H would be produced, and here it is. The kit, billed as "2 in 1" purports to build an Early or/to Mid type tank.
Bprder's instruction book features a nice reproduction of the kit box art, depicting an SS Panzer IV from the battle of Caen, in 1944. Half of the book is assembly diagrams, and a big chunk of the pages are taken up by the painting guides.
There are twenty-something sprues in the kit, and a useless parts map is included. The map is a small photo of the sprues. A plus to the kit is the extensive decal sheet and painting guide (developed by Ammo by Mig for this kit).
The painting guides look good. You may or may not like Ammo paints, but the color call outs are given by name, and you can use your favorite brand of paint.
Strangely, while you get figures, no painting guide for them is provided, so you are on your own.
There are a few large, loosely packaged pieces. I will say, the hull is pretty impressive. Usually, the superstructure is separate. but you get more molded together structure here. The level of detail looks good.
In flipping through the instruction book, and parts, I can see that the kit has a lot of possibilities. It also has a lot of inherent vague aspects as far as building options. There are enough potential issues and pitfalls to warrant a separate little chapter before the build itself, to help clarify what you can and can't do.
The turret basket and spare track rack are molded together.
I like the relatively limited use of photo-etch here. The tools all have plastic clamps, and most of the etch is just glue on, flat parts, with little or no bending required.
A nice metal 75mm gun is provided.
Review from David Nickels
