"Dragon are on not just on the cutting edge of model armour kit production, they are sharpening the blade. Their astonishing new Panzer IV ausf.E proves the point. As the perfect compliment to Tristar's sublime Panzer VI ausf.D, previewed back in TMMI Issue 119, Dragon have created a 100% new kit of the Panzer IV ausf.E, a machine that saw service in North Africa, on the Eastern Front and the Balkans during the earlier stages of WW2. It is a '3 in 1' release, allowing either an Early, Late or DAK version to be built from the box, differences which mainly centre on the additional armour panels fitted to the hull and superstructure plus cooling louvres on the engine deck. Now, I could just describe in plain terms the features of this kit, but to be honest there is simply not enough space on this page. This must be the most extraordinarily thorough and detailed plastic kit of a tank yet produced, and to simply list its parts breakdown would not do it justice. The best way to do that is to build it and run an in-depth article in TMMI, and we will certainly do that when we get the chance, but for now, I will try to give you an idea of what's involved.

Lower hull

Two lower hulls are supplied, one standard and one with additional armour plates in the mid-section of the side panels for the late version. Onto this is built the most amazingly comprehensive suspension system, matched in complexity only by Tristar's PzIV ausf.D, complete with separate roadwheel tyres, movable leaf springs and more. The lower hull is fully detailed and all the major fixtures and fittings provided as individual parts to render maximum detail. It's a reasonable statement to make that every area of this vehicle from the tracks to the turret top has received equal attention from the designers, and nothing has been skimped on. The final drive housings as a good example - they even include a crown gear for the inside, in case you wish to model a maintenance diorama! The rear panel includes the smoke discharger box, complete with the characteristic dangling chains in etched brass, and more chains are provided for the securing pins on the front towing points.

Top deck

Moving up to the superstructure, and we are presented with a top deck with separately moulded side walls, glacis, driver's armour and engine hatches. Each of the complex engine cooling gilles are moulded in two pieces and install as individual units, massively enhancing the detail and accuracy here, and the external flaps are provided in both plastic (single piece) and etched brass (individual leaves). The engine hatches for the DAK version feature inner louvres made up from photo-etched parts for maximum authenticity, on the inside! Amazing.

Turret

Inside the turret, a complete main gun with alloy barrel is supplied, and turret basket is provided, complete with non slip flooring and gunners seats. The cupola is detailed inside and out an is a work of art, tiny padlocks are included for the stowage bin and the vision blocks are complete with internal detail, as are the access hatches. One more thing. Just space to mention one more cool touch - Dragon provide two sets of on-board tools, one with moulded-on brackets and one set without, and what's cooler still, two sets of track guards, one with holes for the pre-moulded tool brackets and one complete devoid of holes with an un-interrupted non-slip pattern - the designers have really been using their imagination here. Along with the talented people at Dragon, well known armour modellers Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson were consultants on this project, which would explain some of the very thoughtful inclusions.

This is a groundbreaking kit, easily as complex and thorough as Dragon's Tiger Is, and to use another cliche, it really does push the boundaries further forward once again. Buy it and marvel. Even if this kit was in the £50 price bracket it would be good value, but with a UK price of around £24, it's a complete steal. Armour modellers have never had it so good."

- Marcus Nicholls