This is a plastic only kit comprised of about 62 styrene parts, no photo etched parts fret, and a standard set of instructions, they need to be reviewed carefully before gluing any parts together.

• Step 1. This step builds the rear plate, the front deck and attaches the drive sprocket. The only change I would make is to not attach the idler wheels. Since Dragon has devised a way of creating the tracks, road wheels and return rolls into one piece per side, it now requires you to mount the tracks directly and they are tight.
• Step 2. This step adds the fenders and mounts the one-piece track. Dragon has come up with a solution to solve the track problem. Tracks in 1/72 scale have been the bane of modelers for years. This solution appears to have that problem licked. However, I do want to warn you that on this model they are tight and will snap off the idler wheel during mounting. My suggestion is to glue the track piece in place (without the idler wheel being installed) and let the glue dry overnight. Then mount the idler wheel by sliding it inside the track and onto the alignment pin. This takes a lot of the pressure off the pin and you should be able to get the idler wheel in and keep it straight while the glue dries.
• Step 3. This step builds the turret.
• Step 4. This step finishes the upper chassis.
• Step 5. This step assembles the three subassemblies created in steps 2, 3, and 4.

Molding

I found the molding to be clean, with no sink marks and few ejector pin marks on the sprues. The mold seams were easily removed and I saw no flash.

Instructions

As with all instructions, read them carefully and plan what you want to do ahead of construction. Check the fit over and over and over again to make sure that all items fit together. Also, check the number of the part being called out - or lack thereof.

Painting and Decals

The color call outs are for Testors Model Master enamel, Mr. Hobby. There are 2 paint schemes depicted on the back of the box both panzer grey. The decals are by Cartograf and are done in their usual high standard.

Conclusion

This is a very nice model and is easy to put together a great weekend project. It is also easy to paint since it’s all one color. I can recommend this model to any World War II German modeler or 1/72 scale enthusiast.

References consulted included:

• Panzer IV & Its Variants; Schiffer Publishing Ltd by Walter Spielberger ISBN:0-88740-515-0.
• Panzer IV & Its Variants 1935-1945 Book 2; Schiffer Publishing Ltd by Walter Spielberger ISBN:978-0-7643-3756-7.
• Panther Its Variants; Schiffer Publishing Ltd by Walter Spielberger ISBN:0-88740-397-2.
• PanzerKampfwagen IV; Panzer Tracts No. 4, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.

Thanks to Dragon Models and Dragon USA for the review sample, and IPMS/USA for the review space.