Panzer IV -- Plastic Model Tank Kit -- 1/32 Scale -- #857861

Revell/Monogram is releasing a few 1/32 armor kits from their Old Mold collection. Their WWII German Panzer IV tank was first released in 1970. There are better quality Panzer tank kits from Dragon and Tamiya with far better detail, but they cost a lot more. This is probably a good kit for modelers wishing to try a tank kit for the first time since none of the parts are extremely small and the price is low. Being 1/32 scale instead of the vastly more popular 1/35, it is a fair bit larger than the more modern 1/35 kits, and thus demands more attention on your model shelf. You could build a mini-collection with the other half-dozen or so 1/32 kits that Revell alone has released recently. Another suggestion would be to pair it in a diorama with a 1/32 scale aircraft, such as a Focke Wulf or Me-109. Spectacular! The worst sink holes were found on the suspension bogies. Fix ‘em with built-up layers of putty, or leave them be since they are not too visible on the finished model. Parts fit is OK. There is a little flash to trim and the parts fit is not bad for a kit from Monogram circa 1970. The tracks look and feel like black licorice, typical for the time. Were you expecting individual link tracks? Sorry, not here. Of course, there is also no interior or engine detail whatsoever. There are a couple not-too-bad figures, one sitting, and one standing. The most noteworthy option is a pair of side-armor panels with high-caliber shell holes that can be spliced in with a hobby knife and glue. If you decide to use these, I’d recommend modeling the turret in a ditch aside the tank because a side-hit with that caliber shell would probably send it flying. The most glaring accuracy snafu I can see is the drive gear housings are like 2D representations of the real thing. However, they are buried pretty deep among drive wheels and treads so this might not be noticed by your modeling buddies unless they are rivet-counting Panzer geeks (like some of us). If you lower your standards enough not to care if this isn’t state-of-the-art, then you’ll REALLY like this kit. I did.

Oncce again for the price it is a very good tank , not so much on the detail but for the beginner to have some fun and not eat alot of time this is awesome, the are other way more difficult panzers out there but this is very enjoyable for any new beginner , I think for the money and time spent, great product!

This kit was one of my first where I'd attempted to weather and really make it perfect, so I have a soft spot for the little Pzkpfw. IV. The schurezen (side plate armor) is optional and nicely done, although can be a little fiddly to get aligned just so. I loved the option to build with a shell hole in the side armor. My only issue with the overall quality (Revell gets lots of grief) was the figures, they look just plain terrible. The actual vehicle was easy breezy to build and looks just fine.