Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E

Plastic model kit for building a Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. E

• Scale 1:35
• This kit can be assembled into one of the following variants:
  • Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E (early production)
  • Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E (late production)
  • Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E (DAK version)
• Turret & commander’s cupola:
• Includes internal turret ring gear
• Turret floor included
• Turret floor features authentic tread pattern
• Seats for commander, loader, and gunner included
• Coaxial machine gun produced via slide-molding, with a hollow muzzle
• Complete assembly for the coaxial machine gun
• Vision port can be assembled in either the open or closed position
• Cupola hatch can be assembled in either the open or closed position
• Commander’s hatch includes interior detailing
• Clear parts for vision ports
• Direct sighting device can be constructed using the included photo-etched parts
• Stowage bin can be assembled in either the open or closed position
• Optional, delicate locking mechanism included
• Signal ports can be depicted in either the open or closed position
• Pistol port can be depicted in either the open or closed position
• Side hatches include interior detailing and can be assembled in either the open or closed position
• Side hatches feature interior detailing and stops
• Main gun:
• Complete, highly detailed gun assembly
• Detailed KwK 37 L/24 cannon
• Correct shell casing collection basket
• Detailed gun muzzle
• Realistic rifling inside the barrel
• Vision opening in the gun mantlet can be depicted in either the open or closed position
• Mantlet cover is removable; the gun can be removed, just like the original
• Upper hull:
• Hatches for the driver and radio operator include interior detailing
• Hatches can be assembled in either the open or closed position
• Movable vision port for the driver (can be depicted open or closed)
• Complete machine gun—includes a functional ball mount
• Two different types includes spare wheel mounts
• engine compartment covers provided in both standard and DAK (Afrika Korps) versions
• realistic, two-layer air intake
• air intake covers can be built using either injection-molded or photo-etched parts
• additional side armor plates as separate components
• front machine gun armor plate, including mounts, can be assembled in three different ways
• detailed on-board tools (including retaining clamps) provided as injection-molded parts
• additional on-board tools (without retaining clamps) also included
• access ladder can be constructed using photo-etched parts
• track-maintenance tools can be constructed using photo-etched parts
• fender mounts can be formed using photo-etched parts
• bolts and rivets reproduced to scale
• tow cable end fittings feature hollow ends, achieved through slide-mold technology
• headlights include clear parts
• maintenance hatches for the steering brakes can be assembled in either an open or closed position
• lower hull and rear:
• one-piece hull tub produced via slide-mold technology – warp-resistant compared to multi-part constructions
• the world’s first kit to offer the hull both with and without additional side armor
• fenders produced via injection molding with minimal material thickness
• front and rear fenders are separate components and can be displayed in a folded-up position
• side fenders feature structural details on both the top and bottom surfaces
• hull floor includes complete and accurate detailing
• fuel filler maintenance hatch can be displayed in either an open or closed position
• highly detailed mounts for the towing eyes, consisting of numerous individual parts
• track on the Tow-eye mounts rendered as photo-etched parts
• Extendable jack composed of multiple individual parts
• Cooling system drain plug, including a chain, made from photo-etched parts
• One-piece muffler, produced using slide-mold technology
• Highly detailed exhaust pipe
• Taillight featuring photo-etched parts
• Accurately scaled housings for the smoke-candle (fog-candle) discharge system
• Running gear and tracks:
• Realistic, multi-part suspension system that functions like the original
• Armored covers for the suspension system provided as separate components
• Front ends of the leaf springs can be assembled with or without covers
• Accurately replicated drive sprocket for the specific Ausf. E variant
• Final drive housing with a separate armored cover—including details on both sides
• Mounts for the idler-wheel tensioning mechanism with high-precision detailing, including internal gears
• Accurately detailed idler wheels, composed of numerous individual parts
• Includes "Magic Tracks" individual track links
• Both the left and right tracks are replicated to scale
• Road wheels with an extremely high level of detail, including separate rubber tires and hubs
• Realistic seam line on the rubber tires
• Rubber tires on the road wheels are rendered in the correct scale width
• Unassembled, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. E (Sd.Kfz. 161) was an early variant of the German medium tank used during the Second World War. It served primarily in a fire-support role, equipped with a short-barreled 7.5 cm cannon.

Compared to the Ausf. D, the E variant featured a new commander’s cupola, a modified driver’s vision port, and increased armor protection. Depending on the production batch and subsequent field modifications, additional armor plating was applied; for instance, the superstructure consisted of 30 mm of base armor supplemented by an extra 30 mm of armor. The specific configuration could vary from one vehicle to another.

The Ausf. E saw service in the Balkans, North Africa, and during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, among other theaters. Its short-barreled cannon was particularly well-suited for firing high-explosive shells against enemy positions and artillery, though it was less effective against heavily armored vehicles. The significantly more powerful long-barreled 7.5 cm cannon did not appear until later variants.