Barcode: 0 89195 86582 3
Packaging: 20 Pieces per carton
Box Size: 9.6" x 15" x 3.1"

Features:

• Newly tooled StuG.IV Mid Production fighting compartment authentically reproduced w/extra armor protection
• Newly tooled gun mantlet rendered w/realistic cast texture surface detail
• Brand new 40cm Magic Track w/fine detail
• Side-skirt armor plates can be installed separately
• Side-skirt armor produced in metal for scale thickness
• Armor brackets realistically detailed
• MG gun shield accurately reproduced w/bolt details
• MG 34 gun included w/authentic detail
• Optional butt stock realistically reproduced
• Easy-to-assemble upper hull
• Multi-part upper hull offers maximum detail
• Fighting compartment armor w/accurate weld seams
• Optional rain guard on fighting compartment
• Multi-directional slide-molded superstructure
• Radio set and seat included
• Realistically lower hull made by 2-directional slide mold
• Bolts and rivets delicately represented on hull bottom
• Simplified idler mount produced specially for StuG.IV
• One-piece gun barrel
• Slide-molded muzzle brake
• Cannon can be elevated up/down
• Gun breech and recoil guard fully reproduced
• Gun sight and hand wheels w/delicate detail
• Recoil and recuperator cylinders accurately represented
• Muffler at the rear w/great detail
• Roof armor w/accurate weld seams
• Screw heads finely reproduced
• Driver's hatch w/interior detail can be assembled open/closed
• Slide-molded engine deck w/bolt detail
• Hatches can be assembled open/closed
• Commander's hatch w/interior details can be assembled open/closed
• Fuel tank is included
• Fenders w/tread pattern on both sides
• Two types of fender frontal segment provided
• Engine hatches can be assembled open/closed
• Photo-etched parts for engine-deck exhaust grill
• Slide-molded periscope sight made from clear parts
• Commander's cupola periscopes made from clear parts
• Spare-track rack on frontal armor of lower hull
• Duct flaps reproduced w/photo-etched parts
• Detailed idler wheels w/cast texture
• Photo-etched parts for idlers to accurately represent undercut detail
• Road wheels, sprockets, idlers and return rollers authentically reproduced
  

The Sturmgeschutz IV was an assault gun produced in similar fashion to the more numerically common StuG.III. However, as its name suggests, it was based on the hull of the Panzer IV tank rather than the Panzer III. This came about because Alkett (a manufacturer of the StuG.III) was bombed in November 1943. Therefore, in an effort to increase assault gun production numbers, Krupp installed slightly modified StuG.III superstructures on the chassis of the Panzer IV. Krupp built 1,108 StuG.IV vehicles between December 1943 and May 1945. While this number was far less than the StuG.III, Krupp did help ensure continuity of assault gun production. Crewed by four men, the StuG.IV armed with a capable 7.5cm StuK40 L/48 gun proved an effective tank hunter.

Dragon has already introduced 1/35 scale Smart Kits depicting Early-Production variants of the StuG.IV tank destroyer, as well as a Late-Production variant in the past. This left just one gap in Dragon's coverage and that was the Mid-Production type. That gap has been filled, however! This new Mid-Production version is accurately tooled and detailed with correct characteristics such as a rain gutter on the sloping casemate, a redesigned driver’s hatch, and a remote-controlled MG34 on the roof. Where appropriate, the kit borrows various high-quality parts from previous Panzer III and IV releases. As to be expected, the box includes convenient Magic Tracks, separate metal armor skirt plates and high-quality Cartograf decals. This fine kit completes the StuG.IV happy family!