New Panzer IV Ausf. H (1 Viewer)

[WesternOutlaw]

I wanted to drop a note to say thanks Andy and team for the new Panzer IV Ausf. H (AK094).

I've been wanting a medium tank (Panzer III or IV) to add to my DAK collection as my only other Afrikakorps tank is the collector's favorite, Tiger. The new Panzer IV is a really nice tank. I was immediately impressed with its weight after removing from the large box. I'm rather a traditionalist who enjoys a heavy mold/vehicle rather than the plastics and lighter materials. The detailing is superb; esp. the weathering that includes brown/dark tan rust stripes on the top of the turret, and front and rear fender sections. Details like this add to the overall quality of the vehicle. Making the Panzer IV Ausf. H variant unique is the extra plated armor around the turret with German crosses and number 601, a nice touch of extra detailing. Although I would have liked an Afrikakorps palm emblem or two, I think I understand the rational for not including by the tank's description:

"This is the third and final version of this popular German tank…and it’s in “Dunkelgelb” which is German for “Dark Yellow”.
Panzer IV’s and their variants saw plenty of active service in Russia, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and all over Europe. This particular vehicle has an Afrika Korps veteran in the turret.
The “H” variant first appeared in 1943 and saw most service in that year and the following one.
Following Rommel’s defeat in North Africa in May 1943 most of the Afrika Korps were captured some however did manage to reach Sicily and Italy and live to fight another day…This tank commander was one of them!"

The Panzer IV Ausf. H has an open turret hatch (be careful when removing from the styrofoam) and includes one 3/4 length crewman with binoculars.

Opportunities for improvement:

- As mentioned above, as a WWII N. Africa enthusiast, I would have liked an Afrikakorps emblem on this bad boy.
- Price of $199 with one figure. Okay, I understand that manufacturer prices have gone up but I purchased my Desert Tiger at approx. $200 and that included five figures. I suppose these deals are a thing of the past, but an additional tank rider or figure would have been a nice addition to this set.
- Although other K&C tanks have non-moving and non-removable hatches, a moving hatch would have also been nice; perhaps down the road.
- Not a complaint, but I am wondering why the K&C plate on bottom end has the year 2013. Perhaps the tank was produced last year and did not make it to the market until now?

Overall, I really love my new Panzer IV Ausf. H and glad I purchased the new tank adding to my K&C DAK collection. I will especially enjoy picturing with the new Desert Village/Compound Set (SP061) soon to be released. I also enjoyed photographing this morning in the few scenes below:

 

[PanzerAce1944]

W/O , The plate on the bottom is dated 2013 because the 2014 AK Panzer IV is a repaint from the 2013 production year. An allotment of Panzer IV tanks were
"Most Likely" set aside after production to be released in 2014 as an AK Variant. Nice addition to you ever growing Africa Korps collection !


:salute::

 

[Desertkiwi]

I was lucky enough to get a good look at the new desert Panzer IV while attending the Brissy K&C dinner and it's a superb model and looks better in the flesh, than in the promo pic's. I also must say I got good a look at the Demag & passengers, including the AK desert 222 armoured car.....again most impressed. I'm sure anyone collecting the AK series would not be disappointed with purchasing any of the three AV's.{sm4}

 

[WesternOutlaw]

The plate on the bottom is dated 2013 because the 2014 AK Panzer IV is a repaint from the 2013 production year. An allotment of Panzer IV tanks were "Most Likely" set aside after production to be released in 2014 as an AK Variant. Nice addition to you ever growing Africa Korps collection !

Thanks; I appreciate the information and I've since looked at the other two versions. It's always nice to learn a little bit more about the release of these items.

it's a superb model and looks better in the flesh, than in the promo pic's.

Absolutely agree. I honestly enjoy looking at it on the table next to me. The real deal looks much better than K&C's official pictures.

Let me add a color image for an additional look:

I love my new Panzer IV! Now to find some shelf space for display???

 

[buffalohibernia]

This is a remake of their older version. From my research, I don't believe the DAK had the "H" version. They were supplied with the F2 variant.

 

[jbonzo1]

Great photos.
I miss the $200 tanks with 4 or 5 figures too. Not gonna see that again!

 

[graycap]

This is a remake of their older version. From my research, I don't believe the DAK had the "H" version. They were supplied with the F2 variant.

I think the 10th Pz may have used the "G" version in Tunisia but I suspect that the "H" would not have been encountered by the Allies until they landed on the Italian mainland.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Thanks for the comments and likes guys. I trust that K&C would have done some research to determine if the Ausf H variation would have been used in N. Africa to include a DAK figure. In doing some research myself, I came across one site that lists the Ausf H as having been used by the Afrikakorps:

http://deutsches-afrikakorps.blogspot.com/2010/12/panzers-of-deutsche-afrika-korps.html

While most discussion involves the F2 and/or "specials", I'm going to see what else I can dig up.

 

[graycap]

The Pz IV H went into production in June 1943.

I assumed from the wording of the K&C ad:

"Following Rommel's defeat in North Africa in May 1943 most of the Afrika Korps were captured some however did manage to reach Sicily and Italy and live to fight another day... Our tank commander was one of them"!

that the model was supposed to represent a former Afrika Korps veteran who had escaped capture in North Africa and was now in Sicily/Italy commanding a new vehicle preparing to give his former adversaries a warm welcome. The 15th and 90th Pz Grenadier divisions had a number of such former Afrika Korps veterans in their ranks.

Whatever - a very nice looking model which looks good in your photos.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

that the model was supposed to represent a former Afrika Korps veteran who had escaped capture in North Africa and was now in Sicily/Italy commanding a new vehicle preparing to give his former adversaries a warm welcome.

So any chance that the DAK veteran could have escaped in his Panzer IV Ausf. H variant? ^&grin Maybe an early prototype model?
EDIT: staring James Gardner as General Hans Schmidt (who also played US Army Command Sergeant Major Zack Carey in Tank) who drives his DAK Ausf. H from N. Africa to Italy.

Whatever - a very nice looking model which looks good in your photos.

Thanks for that Graycap. I'm no expert or historian but I learn a lot in researching these models.
Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Hunter Rose]

So any chance that the DAK veteran could have escaped in his Panzer IV Ausf. H variant? ^&grin Maybe an early prototype model?

Not likely. Depending on which source you use I've seen it stated that Ausf. H were produced in May, but there would have been only about 3 weeks from production to when the Germans surrendered in Afrika. Not a whole lot of time to transport the tanks and get them into combat. Highly unlikely.

I'm glad K&C left the Afrikakorps symbol off this one, so there's no glaring historical errors. It's a nice model, and the tan/dunkelgelb finish makes it perfect for the Sicily/Italian campaigns, but it would also work fine on the Eastern Front.

Any chance the OP could post some pictures of just the tank from front/side/overhead and not posed in a scene? I'm contemplating getting either this one or the Normandy version and would like to see some more pictures of it in real life.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Not likely. Depending on which source you use I've seen it stated that Ausf. H were produced in May, but there would have been only about 3 weeks from production to when the Germans surrendered in Afrika. Not a whole lot of time to transport the tanks and get them into combat. Highly unlikely.

I'm glad K&C left the Afrikakorps symbol off this one, so there's no glaring historical errors. It's a nice model, and the tan/dunkelgelb finish makes it perfect for the Sicily/Italian campaigns, but it would also work fine on the Eastern Front.

There are only a few differences between the Ausf. G that was in Tunisia and the Ausf. H It's hard to tell a G from an H from a J in Italy, Northwest Europe or Russia.

Terry

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Thanks for the feedback and history re. the Ausf. H.

Here's a new picture with some greatcoats:

Heeresgruppe Afrika by WesternOutlaw, on Flickr

 

[WesternOutlaw]

One more:


Afrikakorps Panzer by WesternOutlaw, on Flickr