Dragon 1/35 Dragon Pz.Kpfw.lV Ausf.J MID PRODUCTION

Description
      The Panzer IV was the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout the course of WWII. The final version in the Pz.Kpfw. IV family was the Ausf.J This particular variant commenced production in June 1944, and a total of approximately 3125 were eventually manufactured. The Ausf.J succeeded the Ausf.H, and rather than being an enhanced version of the Ausf.H, the final design was actually simplified in an attempt to ease and speed up construction. Thus, the electric turret drive was deleted and an extra fuel tank was fitted in its place. Other distinguishing features include the absence of Zimmerit.
      Dragon has produced a Mid-Production variant of the Panzer IV Ausf.J in 1/35 scale. This plastic Smart Kit offers some special features of this period of Pz.Kpfw.IV production, including the use of solid steel Schurzen plates prior to Thoma-type wire-mesh side-skirts being introduced. For maximum modeler enjoyment, Dragon supplies these Schurzen plates as separate pieces made from metal, thus allowing complete realism.
      The kit offers two different turret-top ventilation covers for greater versatility. Two newly tooled flame-suppressing exhaust mufflers are also supplied for the rear of the tank. The running gear continues to feature four return rollers, for these were only reduced to three at a later stage. Details on this kit are finely detailed, the product of widespread use of slide molds. To complete the model, 40cm Magic Tracks are supplied. Various photo-etched metal components are included, things such as engine ventilation grills, and mesh for the turret baskets. This kit offers modelers the convenience of producing a typical Mid-Production Ausf.J tank without having to resort to kit-bashing or extensive conversion.
 
Kit Features:

Side-skirt armor plates can be installed separately
Side-skirt armor produced in metal for scale thickness
One-piece 3-directional slide-molded turret for Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J
Mantlet guard can be removed and gun unloaded as on real vehicle
Detailed gun muzzle brake
Complete gun assembly w/full detail
Finely detailed 7.5cm Kw.K. 40 L/48 gun
Gun sleeve w/delicate weld and bolt detail made from 3-directional slide molds
New turret roof rendered w/turret-skirt armor brackets
Turret-skirt and side-skirt armor plates can be installed separately
Rear antenna included
Newly tooled exhaust pipe on the hull rear
Includes hollowed-out undercut on turret bottom
Incorporates toothed turret ring inside turret
Two types of driver's and radio operator's hatch w/splash guard
Hatches w/internal detail
Spare-wheel rack w/spare wheels on upper hull side
Two types of side-skirt armor plate w/bolt detail
Brackets for side-skirt armor realistically detailed
Turret-skirt door can be postioned open/closed
Optional turret-side door can be positioned open/closed
Side fenders w/pattern detail on both top and bottom surfaces
Injection-molded fenders made to thinnest possible dimensions
Two types of ventilation cover w/great detail
Newly tooled storage mesh on turret side
Commander's cupola recreates structural details
Cupola vision blocks can be assembled open/closed
One-piece lower hull made from slide molds
Hull bottom fully detailed
One-piece upper hull 2-side slide-molded w/new engine-deck design
MG34 in Gen2 standard w/gun mount
Two types of engine hatches can be assembled open/closed
Spare-track bracket on lower hull front
Spare-tracks on armor side
New OVM arrangement on fenders
Spare-track bracket on glacis plate w/photo-etched and plastic option
Final-drive housing w/details on both sides
Separate armored cover for final-drive housing
Sprocket wheels w/breathtaking detail and multiple delicate parts
Newly tooled fuel filler flap
Extendable jack w/separate parts
Accurately detailed idler adjuster mountings
Detailed towing-eye brackets w/separate parts
Road wheels and suspension w/multiple components exhibit crisp detail
Idler wheels have detailed parts
Injection-molded OVM w/clasps