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Panzer IV/70(A) – Tamiya 1/35
Panzer IV/70(A) is an unusual WWII vehicle. A fact speaking of this is that it was produced in only 278 examples. And it was not German technological advance suddenly started to limp. It was the rush of the superior command, that want a new vehicle fast, featuring L70 7.5cm gun placed on standard Panzer IV chassis. Tank destroyers are inherently low profiled. The necessity to be stealthy and appear suddenly from nowhere was mandatory. However, Panzer IV/70(A) appeared to be taller, due to the unreasonable construction requirements, dictated by the standard Panzer IV chassis. This all resulted in an odd-looking, tall and chunky vehicle, hardly distinguishable as a tank-killer. Instead of quickly getting a new destroyer, in the end only a handful of those were made and the whole idea backfired. Panzer IV/70(A) survivability and success rate varies from source to source. It is clear that the vehicle had potential, but it is also known that some suffered from technical issues and on top of those, there was this huge silhouette that was very difficult to hide. So this tank killer ended up as a fifth wheel of a sort.
Modeling-wise, Panzer IV/70(A) – A stands for Alkett, the company responsible for the development – is another story. It is popular, due to the exact same reason it wasn’t that effective. It was tall. Being such, it provides a lot more canvas for the modeler in terms of weathering, camouflage, damages and what not. Of course, it has been made in 35th scale and by more than one company. But in 2023, two new toolings are about to appear on the market. One is Border Model, of which we have mentioned already. Second one, already announced at the February Toy Fare in Germany – is Tamiya.
Tamiya have the basis needed. They produce a good and pleasant to build Jagdpanzer IV. It is an excellent kit. But being an exploited project, the continuation of the line into the Alkett designed (A) model seems to be reasonable. Of course, the pictures of the contents are still scarce at that point, but very soon we will get to see more. The best ones we have you can see here. Plus it is clear, that Tamiya is releasing additional sets for the Alkett vehicle, being the new standard in the last years. In addition to that said, the kit will include track and length tracks, featuring sag of course, photo-etch parts for the net-wired schurzen and the aftermarket mentioned will be equipped with a metal barrel. Latter one can be seen partially on the photos here.
Aftermarket-wise the vehicle is more than covered. Tracks printed in 3D are everywhere, so if you decide to go with separate links, that is solved. Metal gun barrels are too – out there, even though not specifically for that kit. Speaking of that, since we know that Tamiya are accurate miniatures it is easy to find an accurate aftermarket fitting. After all, if everything is done properly from two or more companies depicting one and the same vehicle, there should be no surprises what so ever. Schurzen – in case you are not satisfied with what’s int he box, might appear thicker to some – are also available. Plus tons of various stowage of course. Camouflage should be a no brainer as well, having so many information sources lately, in addition to the multiple helping tools.
Next stop on this ride is to see in more detail what Tamiya offered and to hear expert’s opinions on the accuracy of the reproduced vehicles. And let’s not forget that Border Model will shoot at that same target quite soon, offering a competitor with different approach /as far as we know made from T-Rex Studios/ in terms of engineering. RFM are awfully quiet lately, so it will be no surprise if they jump that train too. Panzer IV/70(A) might’ve been arguable success during the WWII, but nowadays for us, modelers, it is a precious and intriguing vehicle. We expect more to be done on the subject soon.
