German tanks pz. Medium tank T-IV Panzerkampfwagen IV (PzKpfw IV, also Pz. IV), Sd.Kfz.161. Cons set that can be improved

Attempts to improve the protection of the tank led to the appearance at the end of 1942 modification "Ausfuhrung G". The designers knew that the limit of the mass that could withstand chassis, has already been selected, so I had to make a compromise - to dismantle the 20-mm side screens that were installed on all "fours", starting with the "E" model, while simultaneously increasing the base armor of the hull to 30 mm, and due to the saved mass, install in the frontal parts overhead screens 30 mm thick.

Another measure to increase the security of the tank was the installation of removable anti-cumulative screens ("schurzen") 5 mm thick on the sides of the hull and turret, the attachment of screens increased the weight of the vehicle by about 500 kg. In addition, the gun's single-chamber muzzle brake was replaced with a more efficient two-chamber one. Appearance the machine also underwent a number of other changes: instead of a stern smoke launcher, built-in blocks of smoke grenade launchers began to be mounted at the corners of the turret, the launch holes were eliminated flares in the hatches of the driver and gunner.

By the end serial production tanks PzKpfw IV "Ausfuhrung G" their regular main weapon was a 75-mm gun with a barrel length of 48 calibers, the commander's cupola hatch became single-leaf. Late production PzKpfw IV Ausf.G tanks are outwardly almost identical to the early Ausf.N. From May 1942 to June 1943, 1,687 Ausf.G tanks were manufactured, an impressive figure, given that in five years, from the end of 1937 to the summer of 1942, 1,300 PzKpfw IVs of all modifications (Ausf.A -F2), chassis no. - 82701-84400.

In 1944 was made tank PzKpfw IV Ausf.G with hydrostatic drive wheels. The design of the drive was developed by specialists from the firm "Zanradfabrik" in Augsburg. The Maybach's main engine drove two oil pumps, which, in turn, activated two hydraulic motors connected by output shafts to the drive wheels. All power point located in the aft part of the hull, respectively, and the drive wheels had a rear, and not the front, usual for the PzKpfw IV. The speed of the tank was controlled by the driver, controlling the oil pressure created by the pumps.

After the war, the experimental machine came to the United States and was tested by specialists from the Vickers company from Detroit, this company at that time was engaged in work in the field of hydrostatic drives. The tests had to be interrupted due to material failures and a lack of spare parts. Currently, the PzKpfw IV Ausf.G tank with hydrostatic drive wheels is on display at the US Army Tank Museum, Aberdeen, pc. Maryland.

Tank PzKpfw IV Ausf.H (Sd.Kfz. 161/2)

The installation of a long-barreled 75 mm gun proved to be a rather controversial measure. The cannon led to an excessive overload of the front of the tank, the front springs were under constant pressure, the tank acquired a tendency to swing even when moving on a flat surface. It was possible to get rid of the unpleasant effect on the modification "Ausfuhrung H", put into production in March 1943.

On tanks of this model, the integral armor of the frontal part of the hull, superstructure and turret was reinforced up to 80 mm. The PzKpfw IV Ausf.H tank weighed 26 tons, and even despite the use of the new SSG-77 transmission, its characteristics turned out to be lower than those of the "fours" of previous models, so the speed of movement over rough terrain decreased by at least 15 km, and the specific pressure on the ground, the acceleration characteristics of the machine fell. On experimental tank PzKpfw IV Ausf.H tested hydrostatic transmission, but in mass production tanks with such a transmission did not go.

During the production process, many minor improvements were introduced to the tanks of the Ausf.H model, in particular, they began to install completely steel rollers without rubber, the shape of the drive wheels and sloths changed, a turret for the MG-34 anti-aircraft machine gun appeared on the commander's cupola ("Fligerbeschussgerat 42" - installation of an anti-aircraft machine gun), the tower embrasures for firing pistols and a hole in the roof of the tower for launching signal rockets were eliminated.

The Ausf.H tanks were the first "fours" to use zimmerite anti-magnetic coating; only the vertical surfaces of the tank were to be covered with zimmerite, however, in practice, the coating was applied to all surfaces that an infantryman standing on the ground could reach, on the other hand, there were also tanks on which only the forehead of the hull and superstructure was covered with zimmerite. Zimmerite was applied both in factories and in the field.

The tanks of the Ausf.H modification became the most popular among all PzKpfw IV models, 3774 of them were built, production was discontinued in the summer of 1944. Chassis serial numbers are 84401-89600, some of these chassis served as the basis for the construction of assault guns.

Tank PzKpfw IV Ausf.J (Sd.Kfz.161/2)

The last model launched into the series was the modification "Ausfuhrung J". Machines of this variant began to enter service in June 1944. From a constructive point of view, the PzKpfw IV Ausf.J was a step backwards.

Instead of an electric drive for turning the tower, a manual one was installed, but it became possible to place an additional fuel tank with a capacity of 200 l. The increase due to the placement of additional fuel in the cruising range on the highway from 220 km to 300 km (off-road - from 130 km to 180 km) seemed extremely important decision, since the panzerdivisions increasingly played the role of "fire brigades", which were transferred from one section of the Eastern Front to another.

An attempt to somewhat reduce the weight of the tank was the installation of welded wire anti-cumulative screens; such screens were called "Thoma screens", after the name of General Tom). Such screens were placed only on the sides of the hull, and the former screens made of sheet steel remained on the towers. On tanks of late production, instead of four rollers, three were installed, and vehicles with steel track rollers without rubber were also produced.

Almost all improvements were aimed at reducing the labor intensity of manufacturing tanks, including: the elimination of all embrasures on the tank for firing pistols and extra viewing slots (only the driver, in the commander's turret and in the frontal armor plate of the turret remained), installation of simplified towing loops , replacing the muffler exhaust system with two simple pipes. Another attempt to improve the security of the car was to increase the armor of the turret roof by 18 mm and the stern by 26 mm.

The production of PzKpfw IV Ausf.J tanks ceased in March 1945, with a total of 1,758 vehicles built.

By 1944, it became clear that the design of the tank had exhausted all reserves for modernization, a revolutionary attempt to increase the combat effectiveness of the PzKpfw IV by installing a turret from the Panther tank, armed with a 75-mm gun with a barrel length of 70 calibers, was not crowned with success - the undercarriage was too overloaded. Before proceeding with the installation of the Panther turret, the designers tried to squeeze the gun from the Panther into the turret tank PzKpfw IV. Installation wooden layout guns showed the complete impossibility of the work of the crew members in the tower due to the tightness created by the breech of the gun. As a result of this failure, the idea was born to mount the entire turret from the Panther on the Pz.IV hull.

Due to the constant modernization of tanks in the course of factory repairs, it is not possible to determine with accuracy how many tanks of one or another modification were built in total. Very often there were various hybrid variants, for example, turrets from Ausf.G were placed on the hulls of the Ausf.D model.

Characteristic features of the tank turret Pz.IV Ausf.J.

The given production data for the Pz.IV, unfortunately, cannot be considered absolutely accurate. AT different sources data on the number of cars produced vary, and sometimes noticeably. So, for example, I.P. Shmelev in his book " Armored vehicles Third Reich" gives the following figures: Pz.IV with KwK 37 - 1125, and with KwK 40 - 7394. It is enough to look at the table to see the discrepancies. In the first case, insignificant - by 8 units, and in the second significant - by 169! More Moreover, if we sum up the production data by modifications, we get the number of 8714 tanks, which again does not coincide with the total of the table, although the error in this case is only 18 vehicles.

Pz.IV in significantly large quantities, than other German tanks, was exported. Judging by German statistics, 490 combat vehicles were delivered to the allies of Germany, as well as to Turkey and Spain in 1942-1944.

The first Pz.IV received the most loyal ally of Nazi Germany - Hungary. In May 1942, 22 Ausf.F1 tanks arrived there, in September - 10 F2. The largest batch was delivered in the fall of 1944 - in the spring of 1945; according to various sources, from 42 to 72 vehicles of modification H and J. The discrepancy happened because some sources question the fact that tanks were delivered in 1945.

In October 1942, the first 11 Pz.IV Ausf.G arrived in Romania. Later, in 1943-1944, the Romanians received another 131 tanks of this type. They were used in hostilities both against the Red Army and against the Wehrmacht, after the transition of Romania to the side of the anti-Hitler coalition.

A batch of 97 Ausf.G and H tanks was sent to Bulgaria between September 1943 and February 1944. From September 1944 they took Active participation in battles with German troops, being the main strike force the only Bulgarian tank brigade. In 1950, the Bulgarian army still had 11 combat vehicles of this type.

In 1943 Croatia received several Ausf.F1 and G tanks; in 1944, 14 Ausf.J - Finland, where they were used until the beginning of the 60s. At the same time, the regular MG 34 machine guns were removed from the tanks, and Soviet diesel engines were installed instead.

PRODUCTION TANKS Panzer IV

DESIGN DESCRIPTION

The layout of the tank is classic, with a front-mounted transmission.

The department of management was in front of the combat vehicle. It housed the main clutch, gearbox, turning mechanism, controls, control devices, a course machine gun (with the exception of modifications B and C), a radio station and the workplaces of two crew members - a driver and a radio operator gunner.

The fighting compartment was located in the middle of the tank. Here were (in the tower) a cannon and a machine gun, observation and aiming devices, vertical and horizontal aiming mechanisms and seats for the tank commander, gunner and loader. Ammunition was located partly in the tower, partly in the hull.

In the engine compartment, in the aft part of the tank, were the engine and all its systems, as well as auxiliary engine turret slewing mechanism.

FRAME the tank was welded from rolled armor plates with surface carburizing, mostly located at right angles to each other.

In front of the roof of the turret box there were manholes for the driver and gunner-radio operator, which were closed with rectangular hinged covers. Modification A has double-leaf lids, the rest have single-leaf lids. Each cover was provided with a hatch for launching signal rockets (with the exception of options H and J).

Pz.IV Ausf.F1. Manhole covers (driver and machine gunner) with round hatches for launching signal rockets are clearly visible. A semi-cylinder welded to the side of the hull closes the exhaust port of the brake cooling system before storing the spare rollers.

In the frontal hull sheet on the left was the driver's viewing device, which included a triplex glass block, closed by a massive armored sliding or folding shutter Sehklappe 30 or 50 (depending on the thickness of the frontal armor), and a KFF 2 binocular periscope observation device (for Ausf. A-KFF 1). The latter, if there was no need for it, moved to the right, and the driver could observe through the glass block. Modifications B, C, D, H and J did not have a periscope device.

On the sides of the control compartment, to the left of the driver and to the right of the gunner-radio operator, there were triplex viewing devices closed by folding armored covers.

Between the stern of the hull and the fighting compartment was a partition. In the roof of the engine compartment there were two hatches closed with hinged covers. Starting with Ausf.F1, the covers were equipped with blinds. In the reverse bevel of the left side there was an air inlet to the radiator, and in the reverse bevel of the starboard side there was an air outlet from the fans.

The layout of the tank Pz.IV:

1 - tower; 2 - commander's cupola; 3 - a box for equipment; 4 - rotating polik of the fighting compartment; 5 - fans; 6 - engine; 7 - fan drive pulley; 8 - exhaust manifold; 9 - muffler of the turret traverse engine; 10 - silencer; 11 - guide wheel; 12 - suspension trolley; 13 - cardan shaft; 14 - gearbox; 15 - gearshift link; 16 - drive wheel.

Armor scheme for a medium tank Pz.IV.

TOWER- welded, hexagonal, mounted on a ball bearing on the turret hull sheet. In its front part, in a mask, there was a cannon, a coaxial machine gun and a sight. To the left and right of the mask there were observation hatches with triplex glass. The hatches were closed with external armored shutters from inside the tower. Starting with modification G, the hatch to the right of the gun was missing.

The tower was driven by an electromechanical rotary mechanism with a maximum speed of 14 degrees / s. A full rotation of the tower was carried out in 26 s. The flywheels of the manual drive of the tower were located at the workplaces of the gunner and loader.

Aft part of the turret modification Ausf.E.

In the rear part of the roof of the tower was a commander's cupola with five viewing slots with triplex glass. Outside, the viewing slots were closed with sliding armored shutters, and the hatch in the roof of the turret, designed for the entry and exit of the tank commander, was a double-leaf lid (later a single-leaf). The turret had a dial-hour type device for determining the location of the target. The second such device was at the disposal of the gunner and, having received an order, he could quickly turn the turret on the target.

At the driver's seat there was a turret position indicator with two lights (except for Ausf.J tanks), thanks to which he knew what position the turret and gun were in (this is especially important when driving along wooded area and settlements).

For boarding and disembarking crew members on the sides of the tower there were hatches with single-leaf and double-leaf (starting with the F1 variant) covers. Viewing devices were installed in the manhole covers and sides of the tower. The aft sheet of the tower was equipped with two hatches for firing personal weapons. On some machines of modifications H and J, in connection with the installation of screens, viewing devices and hatches were absent.

Hitler, surrounded by senior Wehrmacht and SS officers, inspects one of the first Ausf.F2 tanks, Berlin, April 4, 1942.

WEAPONS. The main armament of tanks of modifications A - F1 is a 7.5-cm KwK 37 gun of 75 mm caliber from Rheinmetall-Borsig. The length of the gun barrel is 24 calibers (1765.3 mm). Gun weight - 490 kg. Vertical aiming - in the range from -10 ° to + 20 °. The gun had a vertical wedge gate and electric trigger. Her ammunition included shots with smoke (weight 6.21 kg, starting speed 455 m / s), high-explosive (5.73 kg, 450 m / s), armor-piercing (6.8 kg, 385 m / s) and cumulative (4.44 kg, 450 ... 485 m / s) shells.

The first PzIV tanks entered service with the German troops in January 1938 and managed to take part in Wehrmacht operations to annex Austria and occupy the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. Enough long time this twenty-ton tank was considered heavy in the Wehrmacht, although in terms of mass it clearly belonged to the average. At the beginning of the Second World Four were armed with 75mm short-barreled guns. The experience of fighting in Europe has shown that this weapon has a lot of shortcomings, the main of which is a weak penetrating ability. And yet, already in 1940 - 1941, this tank, despite its small number in the Wehrmacht, was considered a good fighting vehicle. Later, it was he who would become the basis of the German tank forces.

Description

The development of the tank began in the mid-30s. It was designed by well-known firms Rheinmetal, Krupp, Daimler-Benz and MAN. The design was outwardly similar to the previously created PzIII tank, but differed primarily in the width of the hull and the diameter of the turret ring, which opened up prospects for further modernization for the tank. Of the four companies that submitted their projects, the military preferred a Krupp-designed tank. In 1935, the production of the first sample of the new tank began, and in the spring next year it got its name - Panzerkampfwagen IV (Pz.IV). In October 1937, Krupp began mass production of Pz.IV tanks of modification A. The first Pz.IV tanks were distinguished by rather weak armor - 15-20mm. The tank was armed with a 75-mm gun, powerful enough for the middle and late 30s. It was most effective against infantry and lightly armored targets. It was not as effective against vehicles with good anti-projectile armor, since it had a low muzzle velocity. The tank took part in the Polish and French triumphant campaigns German weapons. 211 Pz.IV tanks took part in the battles with the Poles, and 278 "fours" took part in the war in the West against the Anglo-French troops. In June 1941, as part of german army 439 "Pz.IV" tanks had already invaded the USSR. By the time of the attack on the USSR, the frontal armor of the "Pz.IV" had been increased to 50mm. The German tankers were in for a big surprise - for the first time they encountered new Soviet tanks, the existence of which they did not even suspect - the Soviet tanks "T-34" and heavy "KV". The Germans did not immediately realize the degree of superiority of the enemy tanks, but soon the Panzerwaffe tankers began to experience certain difficulties. The armor of "Pz.IV" in 1941 could theoretically be pierced even by 45mm guns of light tanks "BT-7" and "T-26". At the same time, the Soviet "babies" had a chance to destroy a German tank in an open battle, and even more so from an ambush at close range. And yet, with light Soviet tanks and armored vehicles, the "four" could fight quite effectively, but when confronted with the new Russian tanks "T-34" and "KV", the Germans experienced a shock. The fire of the short-barreled 75mm Pz.IV cannon on these tanks was depressingly ineffective, while Soviet tanks easily hit the four at medium and long distances. The low muzzle velocity of the 75mm cannon projectile had an effect, because of which the T-34 and KV were practically invulnerable to German tank fire in 1941. It was obvious that the tank needed modernization and, above all, the installation of a more powerful gun. Only in April 1942, the Pz.IV was equipped with a more powerful long-barreled gun, providing successful fight with "T-34" and "KV". In general, "Panzer IV" had a number of shortcomings. The large pressure on the ground made it difficult to move along the Russian impassability, and in the conditions of the spring thaw, the tank was uncontrollable. All this slowed down the advance of the German tank wedges in 1941 and prevented the rapid movement along the front in the subsequent stages of the war. "Pz.IV" was the most bulk tank Germany in World War II. During the war, his armor was constantly strengthened, and equipping with more powerful guns made it possible to fight on equal terms with his opponents in 1942-1945. The main and decisive trump card of the "Pz.IV" tank eventually became its modernization potential, which allowed the German designers to constantly increase the armor and firepower of this tank. The tank became the main combat vehicle of the Wehrmacht until the very end of the war, and even the appearance of "Tigers" and "Panthers" in the German army did not diminish the role of the "Panzer IV" in the operations of the German army on the eastern front. German industry during the war was able to produce more than 8 thousand. such tanks.

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2

Main characteristics

Briefly

in detail

3.3 / 3.3 / 3.7 BR

5 people Crew

Mobility

22.7 tons Weight

6 forward
1 ago checkpoint

Armament

87 shells ammo

10° / 20° UVN

3,000 rounds of ammunition

150 rounds clip size

900 shots/min rate of fire

Economy

Description

Panzerkampfwagen IV (7.5 cm) Ausführung F2 or Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2- medium tank armed forces of the Third Reich. Unlike previous modifications, it was armed with a long-barreled 75-mm KwK 40 gun with a barrel length of 43 calibers and improved armor protection. Became the first German tank capable of fighting on equal terms Soviet tanks T-34 and KV-1, but this only concerned weapons, in terms of armor protection it was still inferior to rivals and could easily be destroyed by Soviet tank 76-mm guns. For this reason, the armor of the vehicle was often reinforced by the crew itself by attaching spare tracks and other improvised means.

Issue Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 lasted from April to July 1942. During this period, 175 units were built and another 25 vehicles were converted from the F1 modification. The tank was used mainly on the Eastern Front, part of the vehicles of this modification was sent to the African Corps, where it was used to suppress the firing points and manpower of the allies, due to the shortage of armor-piercing shells. The tank played a significant role in the war, counteracting the tanks and armored vehicles of the Allies, which the rest of the German tanks, which had weaker weapons, could not cope with. After the production of the F2 modification was discontinued, the vehicle gave way to more advanced modifications of the Pz.Kpfw medium tank. IV.

Main characteristics

Armor protection and survivability

The location of the crew and modules inside the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. The F2 does not have the best armor protection among similar tanks on its battle rating (BRe). The entire frontal armor of the tank has a thickness of 50 mm, except for the armor section under the driver's slot, which has a thickness of 20 mm, but is located at an angle of inclination of 73 degrees, which gives the reduced armor thickness the same 50 mm. In addition, having studied the modification "Applied Armor", the frontal armor is reinforced with additional tracks 15 mm thick. The side and rear armor of the turret and hull is 30 mm and is easily hit even heavy machine guns. The tight layout of the crew and modules negatively affects the survivability of the tank. The downside is the high commander's cupola, which can protrude from behind cover, even if the tank is completely hidden from the eyes of opponents.

Mobility

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 has high speed and mobility. Max speed The speed of the car is 48 km / h, it is gained quickly and is almost not lost from small obstacles. The rear speed is 8 km / h and it is quite enough to roll back after a shot or to pass backwards to drive behind cover. The maneuverability of the car is good both from a standstill and while driving. From a standstill, the tank turns around briskly, even better and faster on the move, but noticeably loses speed. Patency Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 high.

Armament

main gun

The most important advantage of the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 is its long-barreled 75 mm KwK40 L43 gun with 87 rounds of ammunition. The gun has simply amazing armor penetration. Due to the length of the barrel, unlike previous modifications with short-barreled guns, the KwK40 L43 has good projectile ballistics. In terms of armored action, Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 is inferior to T-34 and KV-1 shells, but it is quite enough to destroy most enemy with one precise hit. Gun reload is fast. Elevation angles range from -10 to +20 degrees, which allows you to fire from behind hills and obstacles hiding the hull behind them. The tower rotates average speed, so sometimes you have to turn your body to the enemy that suddenly appears.

Five types of shells are available for the tank:

• PzGr 39 - armor-piercing projectile with armor-piercing tip and ballistic cap. It has excellent armor penetration and good armor action. Recommended as the main projectile for this tank.

• Hl.Gr 38B- cumulative projectile. It has less armor penetration than the PzGr 39, but retains it at all distances. Recommended for shooting at enemies at very long distances.

• PzGr 40- armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile. It has the highest armor penetration, but much less armor penetration than the PzGr 39, and also significantly loses its armor penetration at long distances. In addition, the projectile is not very effective against opponents with sloped armor. Recommended for use at close range against heavily armored opponents.

• Spgr. 34 - high-explosive projectile. It has the lowest armor penetration of all the presented shells. Can be effective against non-armored vehicles, such as anti-aircraft self-propelled units(ZSU) based on trucks.

• K.Gr.Rot Nb.- smoke projectile. It does not have armor penetration, it can cause damage only by hitting directly on the enemy crew. Temporarily releases a large cloud of smoke through which it will be impossible for the enemy to see the actions and movement of the player.

Machine gun armament

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. The F2 is armed with a 7.92mm MG34 machine gun with 3,000 rounds of ammunition coaxial with a 75mm gun. Can incapacitate the crew on vehicles that do not have armor, for example, ZSU based on trucks.

Use in combat

To protect the vulnerable hull of the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2, it is better to choose such positions that would completely cover the body from enemy shells

Playing on Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2, you should always be aware of its weak armor and high vulnerability. Thanks to its high speed, the Pz.Kpfw. IV can be one of the first to arrive at the capture point, but if there are no shelters on the point, then you can be an easy prey for enemy tanks. The same applies to the attack, you need to avoid open areas of the terrain where the vehicle will be easily destroyed and move only from cover to cover, destroying enemy tanks because of them. Well suited to the car and the role of a sniper. A good car for flanking detours, fast speed will allow you to easily go into the flank or rear of the enemy, and the effect of surprise and good tool will cause significant damage to the enemy team.

Advantages and disadvantages

The armor does not have rational angles, so turn the hull a little, but not too much, so as not to expose even weaker sides, good dynamics and mobility will allow you to take important positions quickly, and the UVN will shoot in most situations.

Advantages:

• Excellent armor penetration
• High flatness
• Good armor action of shells
• Remarkable speed and maneuverability
• Good cross
• Fast reload

Flaws:

• Weak booking
• Tight layout

History reference

In January 1934, the German War Department's Ordnance Department held a design competition for a new medium tank. Krupp, MAN, Daimler-Benz and Rheinmetall took part in the competition. The competition was won by the Krupp project, under the designation VK 2001(K). New tank conceived by the German command as a support tank for attacking forces, its main task was to suppress enemy firing points, mainly such as machine gun nests and crews anti-tank guns, as well as the fight against lightly armored armored vehicles of the enemy. In terms of its design and layout, the tank was made in the classic German style - with the location of the control and transmission compartment in the front, the fighting compartment in the middle and the engine compartment in the rear of the hull. The tank was armed with a short-barreled 75-mm gun. Initially, observing the secrecy from the prohibitions of the Treaty of Versailles, new car was designated as Bataillonsführerwagen or B.W., which in translation meant "battalion commander's vehicle", later the tank received its final designation - Pz.Kpfw. IV (Panzerkampfwagen IV) or Sd.Kfz. 161, in Soviet and domestic sources T-4 or T-IV.

The first modification of the tank Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A

The first pre-production samples of the Pz.Kpfw. IV, designated Ausf.A, they were produced in late 1936/early 1937. At the time of the outbreak of hostilities by Germany, on September 1, 1939, there were only 211 Pz.Kpfw tanks in the Wehrmacht tank fleet. IV of all modifications. Although in Polish campaign these machines did not meet worthy rivals, but small-caliber anti-tank artillery Polish troops inflicted serious losses German tanks. For this reason, in urgently, measures were taken to strengthen the armor protection of tanks. French campaign, where the German tank forces faced the French British armored vehicles only confirmed that the Pz.Kpfw. IV still did not have sufficient armor, in addition, it also showed that short-barreled 75-mm guns were powerless against heavy British tanks"Matilda". But the final cross on the production of Pz.Kpfw. IV with short-barreled guns was delivered by the campaign against the USSR, which began on June 22, 1941. Already in July of the same year, faced with heavy tanks KV-1 and medium T-34, the Germans realized that short guns could not do anything to new Soviet tanks, even with a point-blank shot.

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F1 with a short gun

For this reason, in the late autumn of 1941, a hasty development of a new, long-barreled 75-mm tank gun began, which could successfully withstand the Soviet T-34 and KV-1. The idea of ​​installing a 50 mm gun with a barrel length of 42 calibers was previously put forward, but the experience of the war on the Eastern Front showed that the Soviet 76 mm guns were superior to the German 50 mm in all respects. To install a new gun, a modification of the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F, which was produced from April 1941 and was the result of an analysis of the course of hostilities in Poland and France. Unlike all previous modifications, the Ausf. F armor thickness of the forehead of the turret and hull increased to 50 mm, the sides to 30 mm, the frontal hull plate became straight, single-leaf hatches on the sides of the turret were replaced with double-leaf ones. Due to the increased mass of the tank and the specific pressure on the ground, the vehicle received new tracks 400 mm wide, instead of 360 mm, as on all previous modifications.

With the installation of a 75-mm long-barreled gun KwK 40 with a barrel length of 43 calibers on the tank, the designation of the tank Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F, at the end, the numbers 1 and 2 were added, where the number 1 - meant that the car was with a short-barreled gun, and 2 - with a long-barreled gun. Combat weight tank reached 23.6 tons. Production Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 began in March 1942 and ended in July of that year, giving way to other, more advanced modifications. During this period, 175 Ausf vehicles were produced. F2 and 25 more were converted from F1. With the advent of long-barreled guns, Pz.Kpfw. IV got the opportunity to compete on equal terms with Soviet heavy and medium tanks, but this only concerned weapons, in terms of armor protection the vehicle was inferior to the Soviet T-34 and, even more so, the KV-1. In addition, the increased weight of the vehicle reduced its speed and maneuverability, and the installation of a long-barreled gun increased the weight on the front of the hull, which led to rapid wear of the front rollers and led to a strong buildup of the tank during a sharp stop and after a shot.

Media

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2



Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 before sending to the front



Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 at the Open Air Museum of Armored Vehicles

Review PzKpfw IV ausf F2 from BlackCross

Review PzKpfw IV ausf F2 from Ezida

PzKpfw IV ausf F2 review by Omero

see also

• reference to the family of technology;
• links to approximate analogues in other nations and branches.

• topic at game forum;
• page on Wikipedia;
• page on Aviarmor.net;
• other literature.

For a long time "hanging" in the catalog and unexpectedly seeing the light Stars- model of a german medium tank Pz.IV ausf.H(T-4N). Own development of the manufacturer under the number 3620 , scale 1\35.

Packing and equipment.

Here everything is standard for latest models Stars - a colorful cardboard box with photos of the finished model on back side. The kit includes sprues made of yellow plastic plus a board with transparent parts, the lower part of the case as a separate part, a sheet with decals, instructions.

Workmanship, detailing, pluses of the set.

In principle, there are no complaints about the quality of the castings; the technological features of the casting are almost (almost!) everywhere hidden on the insides of the parts. The smallest flash was found in a couple of places, but this is not critical.

Let's just say - the level of detail is very pleased! Judge for yourself.

Excellent study of the bottom, suspension and even inside fenders. Technological inscriptions are visible on the suspension bogies and bandages of the rollers. Welds are simulated in the right places. The mass of well-poured rivets and bolt heads, which are also different type and size. The bolts recessed into the armor also turned out great (look at the photo, everything is perfectly visible there). The rest of the small things also came out well, everything is done neatly and is easy to "read" on the surface.

There is a very rich interior of the tower - the breech of the cannon and machine guns, the internal attachment of the gun to the mask, the sight, all three crew seats and even the floor. It's stupid, it's stupid! Of course, there is an imitation of the inner side of the turret and hull hatches.

Zimmerit on the screens turned out well, not too thick and not quite clumsy. In any case, when assembling out of the box, such screens can be installed quite well.

The entrenching tool and its mounts turned out to be, let's say, “standard”, not bad and not good.

Semi-combined caterpillars - plus and minus, it depends on the specific modeller. But on the other hand, they are cast without a single hint of traces from the pushers.

The barrel is given in ONE detail, which is very atypical for this manufacturer.

Well, probably the most interesting and unexpected thing in the set is the variability in the assembly of some model nodes.

For example, you can make THREE options for a muzzle brake, two options for wheel hub caps, two options for flanging at the driver’s and radio operator’s hatches, two types of support rollers (with and without rubber), hatches in tower screens can be assembled in an open and closed position, periscopes in the turret can also be made in two versions, the rear escort lamp is given in two types.

The kit also includes mortars for smoke vents that are not used during assembly. In general, this kind of equipment suggests that the manufacturer's plans include other modifications of the "four" (at least early).

The instructions are clearly printed and understandable, and made in the format of a book! Finally, Zvezda realized that their long footcloths were absolutely uncomfortable.

Cons set that can be improved.

We were very struck by the fact that on some parts there are traces of pushers on the outside. For example, on the rear armor plate, right in the middle, there is a perfectly noticeable "stump". Well, this is somehow unacceptable by modern standards, it seems to us.

Partitioning of parts is surprising in places. It is not clear why, for example, the reciprocal hinges of the transmission access hatches should be made as separate parts, but the stops of the hinged screens should be cast immediately together with the fenders ... I also did not like the springs of the mudguards, they are immediately for replacement.

The manufacturer's towing cable did not work out at all. It is too thick and very blurry, so change it for sure.

Like it or not, but the holders of hinged screens are still thick. For assembly out of the box, it is tolerable, but those who want to get confused need to take photo-etched.

I did not like the implementation of periscopes in the turret. And there are very few transparent details in principle. The open hatches of the gunner and loader just ask for transparent triplexes, and they are given with ordinary plastic ...

There is also a question for the leading asterisks. Experts, of course, will analyze this point in the most detailed way on specialized forums, but the width of the outer rim with teeth seems too large to us.

The star gives tracks with a hollow crest and no chevrons, which is more typical for early cars. It is clear that it could be different, but for a more “classic” look of this “four”, it would still be better to make tracks with chevrons.

Zimmerit is present ONLY on the screens, which is very strange. In theory, the tank should be more "rolled" into it (the entire frontal projection, mudguards). The manufacturer decided to abandon the option to report separate sprues with screens without anti-magnetic coating into the box. Apparently, this is where the “legs” of the voiced problem “grow”.

The rest is trifles - you can replace the antenna, handrails, wiring.

Conclusions and comparison with analogues.

For the price, this set is excellent. Of course, there are many competitors from other manufacturers, but in this price category, the model should firmly occupy its niche. Of course, some “jambs” were very upsetting, which such a very long-term project should not have. But at the same time, the advantages of this "four" are obvious and it is difficult to challenge them. Yes, and it is not necessary. Having made this whale, Star once again showed (after the "Panther") that she can make interesting models in terms of detailing. In general, for assembly without modifications, the set is suitable without significant reservations. Those who want to chase copy will also find something to work on here.

Our set rating: 4.5 out of 5.