The Panzer IV Digital Library - PzIV Ausf H Painted 190816

[Rubicon Models]

This is a new project similar to our "M4 Sherman Digital Library".   We have retired
our Panzer IV Mid-War (280010) kit during Q4/16, since then we had been creating
the all new "Panzer IV Digital Library".  Here is a few pics based on the Ausf G.  We
will add and subtract features to make other Panzer IV variants as we go along...

Besides what is described in our pics below, additional objectives as follow:

- Create common sprues that can be used with all variants to save cost
- To keep retail price as low as possible
- Hopefully be able to cover production models from Ausf D to J
- Will try new moulding techniques to create better products
- Will use experience gained to create the "Panzer III Digital Library"









Enjoy!

[ultravanillasmurf]

Nice.

There is also the Stug IV option.

I was unimpressed with the other company's Panzer IV, hopefully this will be much better.

[Pinky]

Looks good.  We had a thread earlier about how you'd break this up into separate kits.  You could probably do it with just two.  I'd really like to see the Jagdpanzer IV. 

I think the tracks are a bit of a problem, as the tread pattern is quite distinctive but difficult to replicate using the one-piece approach.

 

[Marcin]

Great news! I'd like to see earlier options, like ausf. D, but I understand that in this kit there is no place for them.
Good job! Can't wait to see more

[Rubicon Models]

Great news! I'd like to see earlier options, like ausf. D, but I understand that in this kit there is no place for them.

Ausf D is the early "short" pre-series of the Panzer IV before the standardisation with the Ausf E.  A total of 243 were built, the last being delivered in early 1940.

Depending on the number of parts on the final product, we will do an Ausf D; and depending on the layout of the spure, we will see how this will bring us!

[chrismanu87]

FINALLY! I was waiting for this since months ago!Thanks

[Marcin]

Ausf D is the early "short" pre-series of the Panzer IV before the standardisation with the Ausf E.  A total of 243 were built, the last being delivered in early 1940.

Depending on the number of parts on the final product, we will do an Ausf D; and depending on the layout of the spure, we will see how this will bring us!

WoW! I haven't count on that at all! It's amazing idea.
Some of this 243 builds were on Africa front. I can't wait :-)

[chrismanu87]

Ausf. J will be very cool!Can't wait for it

[tyroflyer]

It's a pity from my point of view Rubicon can't go back as far as the Ausf C. According to the Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WW2 by Chamberlain and Doyle 138 were produced from September 1938 until August 1939. Later marks were too late to serve in 1939 Poland. According to the same source the Ausf C wasn't withdrawn until 1943 and therefore a legitimate opponent for many years to come.

[Pinky]

It's a pity from my point of view Rubicon can't go back as far as the Ausf C.

Sure, but trying to cover every variant can be more trouble than it's worth.  Better to cover the main variants properly.  The Ausf D would cover France, Barbarossa and the early North African campaign. 

[Rubicon Models]

It's a pity from my point of view Rubicon can't go back as far as the Ausf C. According to the Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WW2 by Chamberlain and Doyle 138 were produced from September 1938 until August 1939. Later marks were too late to serve in 1939 Poland. According to the same source the Ausf C wasn't withdrawn until 1943 and therefore a legitimate opponent for many years to come.

It is not that we can't but Ausf A to Ausf D are early "short" pre-series of the Panzer IV before the standardisation with the Ausf E.  The earlier chassis had different hull and roadwheel design, plus narrower track width.  Basically a new kit per production model...  The Ausf D is the closest we can get without making it a total separate kit.

[tyroflyer]

I'm sure both Pinky and Rubicon are 100% valid in their comments. Selfishly I would have liked to buy a legitimate Rubicon opponent to my Warlord 1939 Polish tanks. I had hoped their continued use in later years of the war would have made them a commercial proposition but that is clearly Rubicon's call.

[ripley]

You could always convert / kit bash a standard plastic IV kit . I did that to one of the BA IVs , its not perfect , but I got the staggered drivers plate , kit bashed the long exhaust out of T-34 fuel tanks and various plastic pipe .  Added and removed details on the turret and hull , as well as messing around with the glasis plate hatches . The only part I'm still having trouble with is the single turret side doors , just can't seem to get two the same  . So I left it with the later 2 door side hatches , for now . Really not too worried about back dating  the drive sprocket and idler wheel , any of the guys at the LHS who have seen it , don't know the difference any way !

[tyroflyer]

I dip my lid to you ripley. Just reading your list tells me I'd be way beyond my level of incompetence. It is note worthy that you were prepared to go to this trouble to get to the variant you wanted. Of course you can't tell the difference applies to all but the most pedantic among us with most variants. You only have to look at the discussion on the Sherman variants to see how important it is to some to get it right. The very fact the differences are too great for Rubicon to produce the real thing (Ausf C) is enough to make me realise it is a task beyond my ability. Congratulations to Rubicon for intending to do as many variants as they can.

[Pinky]

I'm sure both Pinky and Rubicon are 100% valid in their comments. Selfishly I would have liked to buy a legitimate Rubicon opponent to my Warlord 1939 Polish tanks. I had hoped their continued use in later years of the war would have made them a commercial proposition but that is clearly Rubicon's call.

I totally understand - we all have particular vehicles that we'd love to see in plastic from Rubicon, but which are probably not going to sell well enough to justify the investment.  In my case, it's the Italian M13/40, but there have also been calls for Japanese and French tanks.  I suspect these - and early war armour generally - fall into the 'niche market' category.  1/56 is already quite a specialised scale, so I expect that Rubicon need to be pretty hard-headed about which kits to target.  That's why, inevitably, we're seeing them focus on German subjects (i.e. the BMW & sidecar, Maultier, Kettenkraftrad, various Paks and multiple half-track upgrade kits).