Italeri 1/72
Sd.Kfz.162 Jagdpanzer IV Ausf.F

Background

The Sd.Kfz.162 Jagdpanzer IV is an outgrowth of the Sd.Kfz.161 Panzer IV tank. The Germans produced versions of nearly all of their standard tank chasses to become self-propelled tank destroyers. Unlike the anti-tank guns mounted atop obsolete tanks, the Jagdpanzers mounted the largest available anti-tank weapon into a low-profile armored hull which would be survivable in a slug-fest with an enemy tank.

The Jagdpanzer IV Ausf.F (Model F) incorporated a 75mm high velocity anti-tank gun inside the low-profile armored structure atop of a Panzer IV chassis. The Jagdpanzer IV was one of the most widely used mobile anti-tank fighters during WW2 and was a significant threat to virtually any allied tank it encountered.

The Kit

Italeri has released the Sd.Kfz.162 Ausf.F in 1/72 scale. The kit is molded in Desert Sand styrene plus one additional tree molded in silver carrying the track link sections. The kit is crisply molded with no signs of flash or molding problems.

The majority of parts are the 64 road wheels, not counting drive sprockes and return rollers. These all install on the two lower hull sides, after which the track sections are installed.

With the road wheels and track installed, the lower hull sides are glued to the hull bottom and rear hull plate. Onto this assembly goes the upper hull, which is virtually one piece. The exceptions being the main gun, gun mantel, crew hatches and miscellaneous small details.

With the upper hull and its details in place, all that remains are the optional armored side skirts and a pair of crewman figures.

Color profiles and markings are included for:

• 311 - 116 Panzer Division, Normandy Front, 1944
• 312 - 116 Panzer Division, Normandy Front, 1944
• 313 - 116 Panzer Division, Normandy Front, 1944
• 67 - Unknown Unit, Eastern Front, 1944
• No Number - Unknown Unit, Normandy Front, 1944
• No Number - III Abteilung, Panzer Regiment, Fallschirm Panzer Division "Hermann Goering", Italy 1944

Conclusion

With the interesting seal of approval on the box top from ALZ ZER Wargamers, this kit nicely addresses two markets: the static scale modelers and the dynamic wargamers. The kit will definitely work nicely in both worlds. Recommended!

My sincere thanks to Testors and the DLV Company for this review sample!