Panzer IV Ausf. G1

ROCO marketed this model of the Panzerkampfwagen IV as an “Ausführung H”, although it is actually a Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 with 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43, recognizable by the typical round muzzle brake. ROCO has given the F2 spaced armor, but that doesn‘t make it a Panzer IV Ausf. H.

We were able to upgrade our Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 to Ausf. G1 by adding applique bow armour made of 0.3 mm polystyrene sheet. However, the increase in combat effectiveness ended here, as the ROCO model was delivered without a 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/48 and continues to run on the wear-prone rubber-coated road wheels of the F2. Surviving Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G1 were later also equipped with side skirts; they looked similar to the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H, but fell short of its combat effectiveness.

Airbrushed in a mixture of 10 parts Revell 361.09 »Anthracite Grey RAL 7021« and 3 parts Revell 361.05 »Cream White« for aerial perspective, the converted Panzer IV Ausf. G1 pictured above awaits further painting.

Contents

• Panzer IV Ausf. F2 with spaced armour

Possible Conversions

• Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G1 with spaced armour
  Up-armoured F2 with 30 mm of applique bow armour.

Evaluation

The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 with spaced armour from ROCO consists of only 16 parts and is delivered fully assembled. ROCO calls this model a Panzer IV “Ausführung H”, although it is only a Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 with spaced armour, that can be converted to the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G1 configuration.

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.

Fitted with 0.3 mm of applique bow armour, the ROCO model can be upgraded to a Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G1. When the spaced armour is installed, the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G1 looks similar enough to the Panzer IV Ausf. H that wargamers might even turn a blind eye to the fact that it isn‘t.

Panzer IV