Panzer IV Ausf D/E (Model Kit) 1:56 Plastic Model Kit

BNIB - NEW BRAND: RUBICON MODELS The Panzer IV Ausf D & E As the German invasion of Poland in Sept 1939 came to an end, it was decided to scale up production of the Panzer IV which was adopted for general use on Sept 27 1939. Panzer IV production changed to the Ausf D. This variant, of which 248 vehicles were produced, reintroduced the hull machine gun and changed the turret’s internal gun mantlet to a 35mm thick external mantlet. Again, protection was upgraded, this time by increasing side armor to 20mm. In response to the difficulty of penetrating the armor of British infantry tanks (Matilda and Matilda II) during the Battle of France, the Germans had tested a 50mm gun (based on the 5cm Pak 38 anti-tank gun) on a Panzer IV Ausf D. However, with the rapid German victory in France, the original order of 80 tanks was canceled before they entered production. In Oct 1940, the Ausf E was introduced. This had 30mm of armor on the bow plate; while a 30mm appliqué steel plate was added to the glacis as an interim measure. A new driver’s visor, adopted from the Sturmgeschütz III was installed on the hull front plate. A new commander’s cupola, adopted from the Panzer III Ausf G, was relocated forward on the turret eliminating the bulge underneath the cupola. Older model Panzer IV tanks were retrofitted with these features when returned to the manufacturer for servicing. A total of 206 Ausf Es were produced between Oct 1940 and Apr 1941. Product Highlights: - Option to build an Ausf D or E variant - All hatches can be open or closed - Extra stowage options included - Two tank crew figures included Product Code: 280076 Number of Parts: 100 pieces / 4 sprues + 1 blister-size sprue