1:35 SD.KFZ.167 STUG.IV MID Production Carson 776582 500776582

The Sturmgeschütz 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!