Rye Field Models RM-5033 1/35 2 in 1 Panzer IV Ausf J Chapter 4: Track guards and upper hull

Putting asside the completed lower hull and running gear the next steps involve populating both track guards with all the pioneer tools and fittings. You are also instructed to assemble and fit the two part engine cooling louvres. These attach to the track guards before the Aufbau assemby is constructed and added. Again, everything fits extremely well. Unfortunately the C hooks were a bit of a disappointment. They both had two prominent and visible sink holes on one face and will require filler. I simply replaced one from the spares bin. I also sourced a 3D printed empty fire extinguisher holder.

Building the 8 ton Sd.Kfz. 7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen Chapter 14: Dragon kit: Adding a towed 3.7mm Flak gun

 Previous chapter

Whilst waiting for scenic supplies for the diorama base, it was time to start work on the towed vehicle. In this case a Flak 36/37. This was taken from the recently released Tamiya/ICM Renault AHN combo kit. As the Sd.Ah 52 trailer wheels had been removed in the image I used a set of 3D resin brake drums from a Sd.Ah56/57 trailer. To replicate the hub and wheel studs I sanded the rear of a pair of outer Sd.Kfz 251 wheels until just the central hub remained. These were then added to the 3D drums and fixed to the trailer axles. Looking at the image the trailer also had a few grab handles that were not present on the kit, so these were made up from copper wire.

Rye Field Models RM-5033 1/35 2 in 1 Panzer IV Ausf J Chapter 3: Building the lower hull and running gear

 

After inspecting all the contents and making a note of what might be available, but not actually called out in the instructions, I started with step one as per the instructions. As this was RFMs first Pz.IV kit, designed along with their interior kit released later that year, the lower hull is built up in sections to allow for additional interior detail. Any opening hatches come as separate items which is to be applauded. All the flatpack lower hull parts erect positively and cleanly and although there is no internal bracing to fit at this stage it all lines up straight and true. It is worth noting that due to the tight friction design of the sidewall to floor plate connection, some pressure does need to be exerted whilst the glue bonds, to ensure that both pieces sit completely flush along their whole length.

 

Rye Field Models RM-5033 1/35 2 in 1 Panzer IV Ausf J Chapter 2: Ausf J History and what variants can the kit build

A little bit of Ausf J history

The Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausführung J (Sd.Kfz. 161/2) is the ninth and the last variant of the Panzerkampfwagen IV medium tank family. This variant was distinguished by numerous simplifications made to prior variants to accelerate production and conserve valuable materials. This last variant included replacing the single-speed turret traverse electric power drive with a two-gear manual traverse, in favour of extra space used for fuel storage. This was a last-ditch effort to increase Panzer IV production rate and compensate for tank losses. 

Rye Field Models RM-5033 1/35 2 in 1 Panzer IV Ausf J. Chapter 1: Whats in the box?

My first foray into building a Pz.IV Ausf J was as a dual build. It was an interesting comparison between a mid naughties Dragon kit, considered one of their best Ausf J's releases, and Border Models 2019 released BT-008 kit.

Using the well researched Panzer Tracts No.4-3 publication once more, I would now tackle Ryefield Models (RFM) 2 in 1 kit RM-5033.

This was released at the same time as their interior kit 5043 and uses similar flat pack engineering to create the Wanne (Hull tub). Kit 5033 allows you to build both a gun tank and an artillery observation tank. The instructions have you build the gun tank option with a three return roller Wanne, with extended side towing eyes. This is also how you are instructed to build up the gun tank in kit 5043. However, although not instructed to, you do get the choice to backdate the gun tank in both kits to a slightly earlier production variant, without some of the very last features. All the parts are available on the sprues.

This is a kit I have very much been looking forward to building.  It will be my first RFM kit and I have only heard goods things about them as a manufacturer. Although I understand purests have spotted some accuracy issues, the kit engineering is much lauded. So without further ado lets get started.