Panzer IV Ausf. F2
“Mark IV Special”
ROCO 1:100 Scale Vehicle Review
The ROCO model of the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. F2 is one of the early Minitank that were manufactured in 1:100 scale. It is an upgraded Panzer IV Ausf. F1 with the long 7.5 cm L/43 Kampfwagenkanone 40. British troops in North Africa knew the F2 as the “Mark IV Special”. This variant marks the change of the battlefield role of the Panzer IV from a support vehicle to a medium tank. The ROCO model pictured here, airbrushed in a mixture of 10 parts Tamiya XF-93 »Light Brown DAK 1942« and 3 parts Tamiya XF-2 »Flat White«, awaits further painting.
Contents
- Panzer IV Ausf. F2, “Mark IV Special”
Historical Employment
- Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2, March to July 1942 (200 units)
- Brown RAL 8020
- Black Grey RAL 7021
- Dunkelgelb nach Muster
- Dark Yellow RAL 7028 Ausgabe 1944
Possible Conversions
- Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G1
Up-armoured F2 with 30 mm of applique bow armour.
Evaluation
The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 from ROCO consists of only 13 parts and is delivered fully assembled. The turret and hull are prepared to accept Schürzen skirts so that ROCO could configure the Panzer IV Ausf. F2 as a Panzer IV Ausf. H as well.
The cast-on detail looks mostly realistic and is easy to paint. Unfortunately, the rear of the tank consists only of a bare armour plate into which the exhaust muffler is inserted as a separate part. The Notek camouflaged rear light and other accessories are missing.
The anti-aircraft machine gun on the turret roof is so oversized that it would be better to remove it entirely and use the weapon on another 1:87 or 1:76 scale vehicle.
Compatibel with ArmiesArmy, Battlefront Miniatures (Team Yankee), Eureka Miniatures, Flashpoint Miniatures, Forged in Battle, Irregular Miniatures, Khurasan Miniatures, MJ Figures, Old Glory, Peter Pig, Plastic Soldier Company, Pico Armor, Skytrex (Command Decision), Quality Castings, Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Rebel Minis, Zvezda, and similar 15/18 mm or 1:100 scale miniatures.
The ROCO model of the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 does not seem to have sold as well as the Panther and Tiger I from the same manufacturer, as the Panzer IV rarely appears in auctions, and then at inflated prices.
In this small scale, ROCO‘s Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 may be used as a Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G1. The applique armour at the bow may be recreated with a small section of 0.3 mm polystyrene sheet.