The Dragon Models 1/35 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J — Mid Production Smart Kit (6556) is a comprehensive and highly detailed model of the most produced single variant of Germany's most important tank. The Ausf.J was the final production version of the Panzer IV, built from June 1944 to the end of the war in March 1945, with approximately 1,758 vehicles completed. It featured simplified production measures including the replacement of the auxiliary electric turret traverse motor with a manual-only system — a retrograde step driven by the need to free up electric motors for other purposes.
The Panzer IV served from the first day of the war to the last, in every theater from the Arctic to North Africa. While less glamorous than the Tiger or Panther, it was the backbone of German armored strength throughout the war, and the Ausf.J its last and most widely built form. The mid-production Ausf.J is distinguished from initial production vehicles by specific details introduced partway through the production run, including changes to the gun travel lock and other fittings. Wire mesh Schürzen side skirts replaced the steel plate variants as material shortages increased.
Key Features:
- 1/35 scale injection-molded Smart Kit
- Accurately reproduced Ausf.J mid-production specific hull and turret features
- Wire mesh Schürzen side skirts with authentic attachment hardware via photo-etched parts
- Photo-etched brass parts for Schürzen mounting rails, tool clasps, and fine exterior details
- Magic Track individual link tracks for realistic track sag and ground contact
- Multiple Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS marking options for Normandy, Poland, and late-war theaters
Dragon's Smart Kit treatment of the Panzer IV Ausf.J delivers an accurate and rewarding build that does justice to the most important German tank of the war. The wire mesh Schürzen assembly is particularly impressive, faithfully capturing the improvised appearance of late-war Panzer IV vehicles.
Ideal For:
- WWII German armor enthusiasts and Panzer IV variant collectors
- Normandy, Eastern Front 1944, and late-war diorama builders
- Intermediate to advanced scale modelers
The Dragon Panzer IV Ausf.J Mid Production is a must-have for any collection of German WWII armor, capturing the definitive form of Germany's most prolific tank in authoritative detail.
