I am currently in the planning stage for my next project, a late model PzKpfw IV Ausf J, one that may have been seen or destroyed in the waning days of the war. I have been looking for an aftermarket photoetched detail for the Schurzen, or skirting which was meant to deflect hollow point anti-tank shells. Production shifted from the original solid plates to a steel mesh type skirt. I am having some difficulty locating this part, either form another kit, or from an aftermarket part maker. The basis for the model will be Tamiya’s kit, with an Academy PzKpfw IV Ausf H used for parts, and originally was going to use the solid skiting that came with the academy kit. Anyone have any experience building/kit-bashing/converting a PzKpfw IV Ausf J?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
I’ve got a DML PzKpfw IV Ausf. J Late that comes with real wire mesh schurzen. Haven’t built it and I’m not a German armor expert, but it looks good to me.
Major Rob is correct. The DML late Panzer IV J, does have the mesh armor skirts included in the kit. They are a bit larger then scale thickness, but they can be used as a template.
If I am not mistaken, someone recently had posted pics of a late Panzer IV J with mess sides skirts not to long ago.
If your looking to scratch build, Achtung Panzer No. 3 has some excellent diagrams of the fittings for the shurzen. The best scale drawings of for the size, and shape of the shurzen that I have seen are in Panzer Tracts No. 4. Both of these books are good references for the Panzer IV.
Let me know and I can either photo copy the two pages and mail them to you, or scan and send you an email with the files attached.
However, these two books are great references, and if you plan on doing any more models of the Panzer IV in the future, I would highly suggest picking up a copy of each. Well…. At least Auchtung Panzer No. 3.