Reviews : Academy PzKpfw IV Ausf H Tank

I bought this kit years ago and just now got around to building it. Disappointed is an understatement and I definitely got what I paid for it. There is an okay amount of detail, but many parts do not fit correctly or you have to guess their placement. Instructions are about the worst I have ever seen and they give no guidance as to what color some things should be painted, they just darken the item with no direction as to paint color. Do not throw away the box, as you will need it to assist in painting the kit by using the pictures on the box. However, nowhere in the instructions or the box do they indicate what colors to use. I chose the standard Tamiya Dark Yellow, Dark Green, and Red Brown, along with Metallic Grey, Gun Metal, Rubber Black, and Khaki where applicable. Be prepared to dry fit pieces and to carve off some of the pieces to make them fit where they should be fitting. The tracks are okay and aftermarket tracks do not fit the drive wheel. It is like the drive wheel is bigger than it should be. If you are looking for a Panzer IV to fill out a larger diorama, or a Panzer IV to be displayed in a diorama as damaged, then this is the kit for you. If you are looking for a Panzer IV to look good and much more realistic, then plan on opening your wallet. Academy really needs to take a look at this product and potentially updating it. If nothing else, fix some of the fitment on several items and fix the drive wheel so that it is a more realistic size. Their own tracks fit okay if you can get them to stay together. If you want to put more realistic aftermarket tracks on the kit, forget it. I have tried 4 different aftermarket tracks and none will fit, which leads me to believe this is an Academy problem. I would only recommend this product for use as a damaged or destroyed Panzer IV on a battlefield diorama, otherwise Hobbylinc has plenty of other options that will be much more realistic, accurate, and easier to build, you just have to be prepared to pay for them.

This was my second kit built from Academy. The first was a Wirbelwind AA tank. I would have to say this is not a good kit for beginners. As with the first Academy kit I built, the instructions are not much more than pictures to follow. There is very little verbiage to help the builder. There is also no paint or decal placement help. This is where previous experience will be needed to produce a decent outcome. Molding was fair with little flash at least in the kit I received. Some of the parts fit was a bit sloppy and ill fitting so filler putty will be needed. There are no figures included and no extra accessory parts. Decals don't match the box art but not a big deal here. It's a good kit for the price point and will test your skills. If you want a better quality kit, it will have to be a Tamiya or maybe a Trumpeter.

Glad I had the Squadron in Action book handy. Good kit but keep your file and sanding blocks handy for fitment. I do recommend dry fitting everything first, lots of subtle flash left on parts that require additional prep and a bit overmolded (seems to be a good way to describe it) so go slow and steady. Large gap between engine deck and rear hull. Good to cut your teeth on in these regards if you are getting back into modeling like I am after a 30 year hiatus. Believe its an old Tamiya kit when I compared it to their Stug IV that I'm building at the same time. Slow and steady will get a decent result.

I am satisfied how the finished tank turned out. but there are negative issues. Fist of all there is only one option for decals and it is not what is displayed on the box. During the build I discovered 2 holes on the front upper hull where I assume were designed to fit 2 tank parts, but there was no indication in the instructions what the parts were. I hid the 2 holes with 2 small squares of thin styrene. Some parts fit so well they snap fit, others are sloppy fit. If you enjoy a challenge to make an average kit end up looking good, then this is a kit for you.

Was pretty average build, some parts had more flash than I was used to. I just looked at it as more practice to perfect my skills. Decals were too thick, even after several coats of dullcote you could still see the edges of the decal. So I recommend aftermarket decals or if you if you have some left over from another kit. Does not come with a figure like it says in the description. I've been getting better at painting figures and was looking forward to painting it, so was a little disappointed. Overall its an ok kit, but it's has potential.

The plastic is very cheap compared to a Tamiya model. The instructions don't tell you how to paint parts. The pieces don't fit very well. The treads seem to be a little too small and you really really have to stretch them to get them wrapped around the wheels (Yes, I triple checked they were lined up correctly) and one snapped. Thankfully, I was using this tank is going to be used in a diorama where it will be damaged and covered in rubble

Good kit. Only 4 stars because no figure included. Basic kit to add onto or dress up. Only one decal set. Earlier review noted copy of Tamiya kit. Just built Tamiya StugIV and lower body and wheels the same. For the money, worth the buy.

I can tell that this is an older kit. The the detail and fit is not up to modern standards. At one time this was a motorized kit as there are spaces for batteries and wires in the hull. It is a good kit, but not a high quality one.

I enjoyed building this model it was a lot like the other panzer 4 I built.Many of the parts were similar just different manufacturers.It wasn't a difficult build and the directions are very easy understand.

A good combination of detail/simple build.The new to middle builder will appreciate it's straightforward build.The advanced builder can appreciate it as a platform.Very decent detail in that affordable range.

I was impressed with the quality of this model, Academy did a great job especially with the price. It was a joy to build and looks fantastic completed. I might get another.

great kit good price. easy to put togather.i wish it had real tracks instead of plastic pieces

This one was a little more challenging then most seemed too have more problems with this one

easy build for beginner, note: no color chart on the instruction