John's Panzer IV no. 004

[John Fitzsimons]

Rear plate port cover fitted. Could be a useful place for a switch.





Forgot to add tow cable brackets. Will have to remove some zimmerit.

[John Fitzsimons]

I have made a new water filler cover to replace the block of aluminium supplied with the kit. The lid opens so I might cut through the base and deck for switch access if necessary.

[phil fitzpatrick]

Hi John
Nice work on your Panzer1V,the extra detail parts you are making
are really nice as usual.
Cheers
Phil

[John Fitzsimons]

Thanks Phil. A little more progress with the rear. Added the straps to the exhausts and relocated the small outlet pipe to top. Also assed the kit tow rope brackets. The tow rope is I think a bit short.





I started assembling the turret. Removed the machining marks first. Inside and out.

Like Nick I noticed that The eight M5 screw holes in the gun mount were not tapped. Neither were the M5 screw holes for attaching the turret base tapped. I hate tapping holes. No good at it. At least they were large size.

[John Fitzsimons]

After a long break I am finally getting back to my Panzer IV.
Having first removed the front and rear sections from the one piece kit fender I am ready to add functioning mudguards. I will start with the rear.
























To complete, I still need to fit a spring mechanism and reflector

Next to complete the front guards.

[Iacopo Di Giampietro]

Great work: very interesting and beautiful!

PS: be careful that the rear notek was mounted upside down ....

[simon_manning]

nice work john, the detail looks good, regards simon.

[John Fitzsimons]

Thanks for the comments.
Lacopo, i will fix the notek. Just loosely fitted to avoid loosing it.
The panzer IV mudguards are quite complicated in shape and kit part was very basic.
Worth the effort.

[Robert E Morey]

John,
The rear fenders are superb! Great addition! Your brass work is excellent.
Kind regards,
Bob

[Tim Bowman]

Hi John

Your rear fender/mud flaps are PERFECT! your brass-work amazes me every time you post something new. Very nice!

best regards
Tim

[John Fitzsimons]

Thanks Bob and Tim. I have started work on the front mudguards also. Still to add the spring mechanisms to both front and rear guards.

[John Fitzsimons]

I am replacing kit spare wheel box with my own version in brass. also making some fender supports.

[John Fitzsimons]

The kit cupola has many problems. I hope to fix some of them but still retain the basic cupola.
I hope to add vision port interior detail. How functional they will be is not yet decided.

First I need to replace the view port covers. Kit covers are for the bin.




















Next I will make the vision block holders and clear resin inserts.

[Nick Farrugia]

Hi John
just been caching up on your build , looks brilliant welldone great brass work and details
best regards Nick

[John Fitzsimons]

Finished the rear mudguards. Added spring mechanisms. Made my own springs from steel wire. They work nicely now.













Added C hook holder. I used the kit C hooks but reshaped slightly.