The Panzer IV Digital Library - PzIV Ausf H Painted 190816

[Rubicon Models]

This was supposed to be posted earlier, but Photobucket had problem with their
upload service for the past two days...

This is the "revised" one-piece track for the Panzer IV.  Each production variant
will have their own drive sprocket and rear idler wheel...



Enjoy!

[Swamprat33]

Hiya, that looks really good.

Will you be doing the 3 idler wheel track for use with the ausf J?

Cheers
Tim

[ripley]

Looks great . Don't forget the A - D had different hub caps than the E - J .

[Rubicon Models]

Looks great . Don't forget the A - D had different hub caps than the E - J .

We had discussed this at the studio, will probably ignore the differences as "D" is the only one with the earlier hub cap.

[tyroflyer]

I had only just made this discovery myself.

Unfortunately from my point of view I've also discovered Ausf A thru C had quite different drive wheel sprockets than later ones. There is secondary evidence to the contrary with, for example, box art depicting Ausf D with C sprockets but I suspect this is wrong.

[tyroflyer]

Now I'm not so sure. I am seeing elaborate models Of Ausf D with drive wheel sprockets that look like C's and pictures purporting to be D's that also look like they have C's sprockets rather than the later version. Does someone know the truth of this.

[Rubicon Models]

@tyroflyer - Ausf A to C (and in some cases, Ausf D) are evolving prototypes of the Panzer IV.  Many parts were gradually replaced or upgraded.  You simply cannot look at some photos to decide what is "correct" for which variant.  We read a lot from reference books and historical blueprints, and pick the "most common" for our final 3D drawings.

-AND- don't use museum exhibits for reference; most of them are incorrect.  We use them only for measurement and scale!

[Pinky]

Looks great . Don't forget the A - D had different hub caps than the E - J .

We had discussed this at the studio, will probably ignore the differences as "D" is the only one with the earlier hub cap.

I can live with this.  I think it's more important to have the right sprocket and idler designs for the different versions. 

[tyroflyer]

Rubicon. No museum exhibits had been referred to. I take your point it's just an example where the driving wheel sprocket can't be used as an identifying feature of an Ausf D. Perhaps the evolution with the road wheels was more clear cut on the transition from D to E. It appears likely both the earlier sprocket fitted to Ausf A to C and the later version were used on the production line for D's.

I don't know why Panzer IV's earlier than Ausf E are described as prototypes. Evolving yes, but prototypes. 134 C's, 229 D's and 223 E's produced. Are the 175 F2's and 25 F2 conversions prototypes for the following 1687 G's? I think these production numbers put them well beyond prototype status and down plays the importance of the earlier variants at the time of the Panzer IV's greatest success.

I have a lot of confidence in you in getting a top notch product to market. The effort you are putting in to the Panzer IV and the Sherman is outstanding.

[ripley]

Most German tanks are a mix of various parts from the different marks , just look a the variations on the Pzr IV J  . There are pictures of Pzr IV  D s with both early and late hub caps , some times a mix of both on  the vehicle .   The more you think you've got it all figured out , the more you realize how much you don't know .   

[tyroflyer]

Well said ripley. I think I've gone from knowing very little on this subject to almost nothing. Interesting nonetheless.

[Rubicon Models]

Again, a prototype of the Panzer IV hull top.  Still a work-in-progress
as we are continuing changing the design to accommodate additional
features added to the digital library.



Enjoy!

[Pinky]

Looks great!

[tyroflyer]

Definitely on the right track.

[ripley]

Some of the tools and the jack look too shallow in detail ( CAD limitations ?) , but looking good non the less . Lots of potential for other Pzr IV based kits , Stug IV and Brumbar