Border Model BT050 – 1/35 Panzer IV Ausf.H Late

The Border Model BT-050 1/35 Panzer IV Ausf.H Late is a scale model kit that meticulously recreates the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.H, one of the most widely used and versatile German medium tanks of World War II. Known for its reliability, adaptability, and combat performance, the Ausf.H variant featured enhanced armor protection and an improved main gun, making it a formidable opponent on the battlefield. This model kit offers impressive detailing and build options, making it a perfect choice for enthusiasts of WWII German armor.

Key Features:

• Scale: 1/35, ideal for detailed assembly and display.
• Highly Accurate Design:
• Faithfully replicates the late-production Panzer IV Ausf.H, with attention to historical accuracy.
• Includes the distinctive Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating, molded directly onto the surfaces, saving builders the time of applying it manually.
• Features precise detailing on the hull, turret, and chassis, including rivets, bolts, and weld seams.
• Turret and Main Armament:
• Accurately recreates the 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/48 gun, with a finely detailed muzzle brake and barrel.
• Optional parts allow the gun to be modeled at various elevations.
• Includes a fully detailed commander’s cupola with clear periscopes and separate hatch options.
• Armor and Side Skirts (Schürzen):
• Includes the late Ausf.H’s Schürzen side armor skirts, with detailed mounting brackets and optional configurations for display.
• The skirts can be assembled attached, partially removed, or entirely absent, depending on the desired look.
• Running Gear and Tracks:
• Features detailed suspension components, road wheels, idler wheels, and drive sprockets.
• Includes individual track links for realistic assembly and positioning.
• Interior Details (Optional):
• Some internal details are provided for the turret and fighting compartment, adding depth to open-hatch displays.
• Separate parts for hatches that can be posed open or closed.
• Photo-Etched (PE) Parts:
• High-quality PE components for fine details, such as tool clamps, mesh screens for engine grilles, and mounting brackets.
• Accessories and Stowage:
• Includes on-vehicle tools such as shovels, hammers, tow cables, and spare track links, all with intricate detailing.
• Optional stowage items for a personalized build.
• Marking and Decal Options:
• Offers multiple decal options for late-war Panzer IV Ausf.H units, including those deployed on the Eastern and Western Fronts.
• Includes unit insignias, tactical markings, and vehicle numbers for historically accurate representation.
• Instruction Manual:
• Clear, step-by-step assembly instructions with detailed diagrams.
• Full-color painting and marking guide with late-war camouflage schemes, including ambush patterns and factory-applied finishes.

Conclusion:

The Border Model BT-050 Panzer IV Ausf.H Late is a superbly detailed kit that captures the essence of this iconic WWII tank. Its inclusion of Zimmerit, PE parts, and multiple configuration options makes it a rewarding project for modelers of all skill levels. Whether displayed as part of a diorama or as a standalone centerpiece, this kit brings the formidable Panzer IV Ausf.H to life with historical accuracy and exceptional craftsmanship.

Panzer IV Ausf.H:

The Panzer IV Ausf.H, one of the most extensively produced variants of the Panzer IV series, was a German medium tank that saw extensive service during World War II. Introduced in April 1943, the Ausf. H incorporated several upgrades over its predecessors, enhancing its firepower and protection to remain competitive on increasingly challenging battlefields.

Design and Features

The Panzer IV Ausf.H was designed to address the growing threat of heavily armored Allied and Soviet tanks. It retained the 7.5cm KwK 40 L/48 gun, capable of penetrating 110mm of armor at 1,000 meters, making it effective against most medium tanks of the era. The tank carried 87 rounds for the main gun and was supported by two 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns, one coaxial with the main gun and another mounted in the hull.

A significant improvement in the Ausf. H was its enhanced armor protection. The frontal armor of the hull was increased to 80mm, while the sides featured 30mm armor plates, with additional Schürzen (skirt armor) added to protect against anti-tank rifles and hollow-charge projectiles. These side skirts extended over the tracks and turret, providing critical protection against close-range infantry threats.

The Panzer IV Ausf. H was powered by a Maybach HL 120 TRM V12 gasoline engine, producing 300 horsepower, allowing for a top speed of 38 km/h (24 mph) on roads. However, the additional armor increased the tank’s weight to 25 tons, slightly reducing its mobility compared to earlier models. The tank featured a leaf-spring suspension system, which, while robust, was less advanced than the Christie suspension used by some other designs.

Operational Use

The Panzer IV Ausf.H was a workhorse of the German Wehrmacht and saw action on all major fronts, including the Eastern Front, Italy, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. Its firepower and armor made it a formidable opponent against Allied and Soviet medium tanks, such as the Sherman and T-34. However, by 1944, it struggled against newer, heavily armored tanks like the IS-2 and M26 Pershing, as well as the swarms of Allied airpower and superior logistics.

Legacy

The Panzer IV Ausf.H exemplified the adaptability of the Panzer IV platform, remaining a mainstay of German armored forces even as tank warfare evolved. While it was eventually outclassed by more modern designs, its balanced combination of firepower, protection, and reliability made it one of the most effective and widely used tanks of the war.