BuildArmy WW2 Panzer IV Ausf. H (947 pcs)

This model was developed by Dr. Ruibin Zhang on the basis of his Panzer III. Historically, the chassis of the Panzer III and Panzer IV had many similar features and were equipped with identical engines and transmissions. Aside from the accurately replicated hull and turret shapes and slopes, this 1/33 scale Panzer IV kit captures the essence of the original with its removable skirts. The kit also features a removable hull top that allows you to lift off the top and reveal a detailed interior, including driver's compartment, transmission and engine compartment. Perfect for enthusiasts and collectors, this model offers the opportunity to explore and appreciate the mechanical ingenuity that powered one of the most impressive tanks in history. With 950 parts, this building project is not simply an assembly, but an intensive immersion into the fascinating development of World War II tank technology.


A brief history of Panzer IV tanks

Often referred to as the "workhorse of the German army", the Panzer IV was the only German tank to see action throughout the Second World War. As the Panzer III became increasingly inferior to its opponents in terms of armor and armament, the Panzer IV assumed responsibility as Germany's most important medium tank from 1942 onwards. From the Ausf. F and G variants armed with the L/43 to the later H and J versions equipped with the slightly longer L/48 gun, the Panzer IV was capable of defeating the armor of all heavy Allied and Soviet tanks by the end of the war.

The design of the Panzer IV was simple and reliable in all its versions. The medium tank had a leaf spring suspension, which was simple to manufacture and easy to maintain in service. Being an inter-war design, the hull armor plates are mostly non-inclined/vertical, with the sides of the upper hull superstructure protruding over the tracks in the form of sills. This feature of the Panzer IV contributed significantly to its long service life, as the wider upper hull allowed for a larger diameter turret ring, which in turn made it possible to mount the long-barreled 75 mm guns later in the war. The Panzer IV could also serve as a versatile platform on which anti-aircraft vehicles, armored recovery vehicles and self-propelled guns could be built.

While all versions of the Panzer IV were produced throughout the war, the Ausf. H variant was the most produced version, with 3,774 tanks produced between April 1943 and July 1944. This was due to the fact that the Panzer IV H was generally considered the "best" version of the tank, as it had the most armor protection and at the same time possessed the most useful features of all variants. While all Panzer IV variants looked superficially similar, the H version had several distinguishing features. The first was the one-piece 80mm front plate on the hull, which housed the driver's window and the nose machine gun; the second was the one-piece round hatch on the turret's commander's cupola, which opened to the left; the final key distinguishing feature of the Ausf. H was the massive, skirted steel armor skirts on the sides of the hull and around the turret. These skirt plates were 5 mm thick on the hull walls and 8 mm thick around the turret. They were primarily intended to protect the thinner side armor of the Panzer IV and the rear armor of the turret from Soviet anti-tank guns.

Technical data:

• Building difficulty: 7/10
• Estimated building time for players with average experience: 3 hours.
• Number of building blocks: 935 plus additional spare blocks.
• Detailed interior construction
• Elevation of the barrel
• Suspension
• Removable aprons
• Scale 1:33 for minifigures.
• Dimensions: 19 x 11 x 8.8 cm (without barrel).

Choking Hazards. Small Parts
Not for children under 3 years