7238, Jagdpanzer IV L/70 Command Version. 1/72nd-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 163 styrene parts, one photo-etched brass fret, one metal rod, two DS-100 track lengths, five decal marking schemes and four pages of instructions in six steps.

It would seem that DML is determined to create kits of almost every major and minor variation of a given subject. A case in point is this latest iteration of the sleek Jagdpanzer IV/70, which includes parts to model the command version of this tank destroyer.

As usual, DML provides the tracks in two DS-100 soft styrene lengths. They are crisply detailed and well molded, but there is a bit of distortion where the sprue plug enters the part. Braille Scale modelers either love these tracks or hate them (apparently the latter, mostly), but DML is committed to using this type of track in order to keep assembly simplified. There are two styles of road-wheel provided; the standard rubber-rimmed variety with later hub caps and the all-steel rubber bushed type. The last were seen on either the first bogie unit on each side, or on the first two on each side. Thus there are enough parts to model the vehicle according to what the modeler's references show. These road-wheels are uniquely-molded as one-piece pairs (via slide-molds), with separate hubs for the rubber-rimmed versions; this will ease assembly and also allow the tire sections to be more easily painted. The bogie truck units are all separate parts and are "handed" for each side, so the modeler should take care when installing them. Also, the sprue attachment points on the backs of the road-wheels run directly to small pips that must be left in place to fit the road wheels to the bogies. Be VERY careful when trimming back there so you don't take everything off!

There are three all-steel return rollers per side (also molded as one-piece pairs), a late chassis feature, while the drive sprockets are the type first introduced on the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H, while the welded, tube-section idler wheel was first introduced on the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F; this last item was re-introduced into production to supplement the cast idler wheel first introduced on the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H. It would have been nice to have the cast idler included in this kit in order to provide more options, but DML chose not to add it.

The hull is a one-piece tub to which a separate rear plate is then attached. Being the late style, the rear plate features small extensions where it meets the hull sides that are drilled out to accept tow shackles. There are two styles of late Flammvernichter (flame-dampening exhaust pipes); one has the curved cowls at the end, while one does not. The instructions say to use the straight ones, but if your reference shows the curved ones in use, feel free to do so. The track tension/idler wheel mounts feature separate nuts as well as etched brass tightening levers, for a very delicate, in-scale appearance. Very nice etched brass parts are provided to replicate the flanges that connected the superstructure rear plate to the hull rear plate; these are complete with proper bolt details. Well done DML!

Working our way up to the engine deck, there are separate engine compartment access hatch lids, as well as separate tools and OVM stowage, which makes this a very busy and visually interesting area. Spare road wheels are provided as are spare tracks and their integrally-molded bracket. All tools are separate parts with the vehicle jack featuring a separate crank handle. The spare road-wheels consist of two rubber-rimmed types in two parts each; the bottom parts (D-20) have the bent-rod mountings attached. References indicate that one of these wheels should be the all-steel type, so the modeler is advised to cut one of the extras in half (part P-3) and attach over Part D-20. Separate rear fender units as well as separate side armor plates finish the styrene parts in the area. New etched brass parts are provided for enhanced definition of the flange that joined the casemate to the engine deck, while the command vehicle "Sternantenna" (star antenna) has a styrene base, metal rod and etched brass "star" section.

Styrene Schurzen in one piece are given for each side of the fenders; they are beveled around their edges for scale appearance and have very fine rivet details on their outer faces. There are separate mounting hooks for them, but no corresponding brackets on the back of the plates; the super-detailer will wish to add them or avail himself of the Eduard etched brass set, which has these parts. Of course, neither has to be used, and the modeler can cut some sections away, or simply have only the hooks in place.

The casemate roof has separate hatch lids with some internal detail, while separate gun-sight and scissors periscopes are provided. The roof plate can be enhanced with etched brass periscope guards, lifting hook and Pilze mounts. These last items consist of rather thin rings that are to be laminated to form the parts. Their locations are ambiguously depicted on the instructions, so references should be consulted if the modeler decides to add them; personally, I'd use fine styrene rod with a properly-sized hole drilled into it. The final item is a plate to represent the sometimes-fitted Nahverteidigungswaffe (close defense weapon). The roof has the blanking plate molded in place (there were never enough of these weapons to go around) and the instructions tell you to glue the plate over it. If doing so, it will stand too far above the surface; I'd shave it down by about half, and then apply the plate.

The front end of the casemate has a separate plate that has part of the weld interlocking detail on it. It must be carefully aligned with the main casemate part so the seams line up, and so they can be blended into each other where needed. The gun mantlet is a multi-part affair that will allow for full elevation and traverse of the 7.5cm PaK42 L/70. The gun tube is pre-bored using a slide mold, but in my opinion it is entirely too thin. It rests on an external travel lock, which although not designed to do so, can be made movable with a minimum of extra work. A separate pivoting MP port has detail behind it so an appropriate MG42 (from the spares box) can be placed in the opening. The front fender/mud guard assemblies are integral with the main upper hull and the only glitch here is the molded-on track assembly tool, which sources indicate was not fitted on the IV/70 (V). Getting rid of it will obliterate the tread plate detail, but Eduard has a nice etched brass detail set for this model (recently reviewed here on ToT) that will fix that in a jiffy. The final item up front is the Notek lamp.

Waterside decals from Cartograf are provided and can be used to mark five specific vehicles. All are to be painted in a base of Dunkelgelb, which is quite probably incorrect, since when these vehicles were produced, Rot primer and then Olivgrun would have been the standard base color. I could not find photos of the specific vehicles depicted on the full-color, four-view paint guides for each vehicle as described in the instructions.

In conclusion, if you like these low, sleek Jagdpanzer, then this kit will fill the bill very nicely, without too much extra work. If the tracks turn you off, grab a Revell Pz.Kpfw.IV and "kit-bash" to your heart's content; this one's worth it.

Recommended.

- Frank De Sisto