The basic kit is the same as the first kit (35001) with the same excellent level of detail, finesse and crispness on parts the equal of and in some cases better than we see in the recent kits from Tamiya, Dragon, Tristar etc.
The lower hull with separate bottom plate, side, front and rear plates has
all separate suspension parts and axles with full hull width torsion bars
included while the road wheels have the subtle contours reproduced precisely.
The detail on the drive sprocket and idler wheels is equally well done with
small poly caps trapped between the two halves to attach to the axle stubs.
The upper hull is quite ingenious in the part breakdown to capture the many fine features without compromise with one part having the two side fenders and glacis with separate superstructure and rear engine deck (with etched intake screens) with all the detail features such as crew hatches, vision ports and visors and storage boxes as separate parts for excellent detail definition.
The turret has all separate side, front, rear and top panels that fit together precisely with an interior that sees nicely moulded breeches for the 20mm cannon and co-ax MG plus the crew seats to show off if you leave open the separate top and rear turret hatches.
The detail is highlighted by the small separate lifting ‘hooks’ for the corners of the superstructure, hull and turret, the fine separate tool clips for the jack and separate Jerry Can racks down to a couple of exquisite wing nuts on the rear towing pintle. The base for the head lights are also separate with the correct step in the mounting which really does show the attention to detail in the kit.
About the only parts of the kit that need attention are the moulded on pioneer tool clips that could well be replaced with etched items and the vinyl tracks that while having nice details will look better with replacement individual link track.
I could go on describing the details in this kit but is really is an endless task such is the quality of the parts and I can best refer you to the excellent build review of the kit by Marcus Nicholls in Tamiya Modelling Magazine Issue 104.
New Parts:
The parts included for the new 4.Pz.Div. version is a new sprue
(D) which has the additional spaced armour fitted to the hull front and the “toast
racks” above the driver’s visors which held replacement segments
for the six piece idler wheels and Tasca give you some empty and some
full racks for variety as is often seen plus the front mud guard fender extensions.
The turret mounted smoke canisters are provided with separate mounting plate and there are actually eight canisters included with two empty cases included for a bit of variety.
Of note are the two new wooden storage boxes which actually have the dovetail
joins included on the parts for another example of attention to detail.
There are also a couple of well detailed 20mm ammo boxes and additional Jerry
Can mounting brackets for the rear fenders and finally there is a sprue for
Tasca’s Jerry Can set with four Jerry Cans which have an etched part
trapped between the two outer halves to form the typical join seam as well
as separate filler cap and embossed data for some of the best Jerry Cans
you will see today.
A new decal sheet is provided with markings for seven 4.Pz.Div vehicles, the printing quality is excellent with thin carrier film cropped close to the printed image.
A new tank Commander figure is included wearing the typical late war tankers overalls with very nice uniform and facial detail on the separate head along with the equally well detailed crew figure from the first kit for a well populated turret.
The instructions include the same 35001 sheet with a new sheet showing the new parts for kit 35006 as well as the new painting guide, there are some additional locating holes to be opened up for the new parts and as the instructions are only in Japanese you need to carefully study them before committing the knife.
Conclusion:
Another superb kit that actually allows you to build the version from kit
35001 or the 4.Pz.Div. version from kit 35006 with the only thing not included
being the decal sheet from the first kit. As mentioned the quality and
detail in this kit is sensational and could well appeal to any modeller
who is a sucker for a good kit as well as German armour fans.
Museum Ordnance Special Number 22 Published by; |
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4.Panzer-Division Has a few pages of semi-close-up photos of 4.Pz.Div. "Luchs" as depicted in the Tasca kit 35006 |
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4.Panzer-Division Has a few pages of semi-close-up photos of 4.Pz.Div. "Luchs" as depicted in the Tasca kit 35006 |
Kit courtesy of my Credit Card and the excellent service from Rainbow Ten.
Page created 25 April 2003