Panzer IV H with Schurzen skirts 1

Panzer IV H with Schurzen skirts

Designed as an infantry-support tank, the Panzer IV was not originally intended to engage enemy armor—that function was performed by the lighter Panzer III. However, with the flaws of pre-war doctrine becoming apparent and in the face of Soviet T-34 tanks, the Panzer IV soon assumed the tank-fighting role of its increasingly obsolete cousin. Robust and reliable, it saw service in all combat theaters involving Germany, and has the distinction of being the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout the war, with over 8,800 produced between 1936 and 1945.

In Mar-1943 Hitler issued a directive to outfit all new Sturmgeschütz, Panzer III, IV and Panthers with side skirts. Additionally all of these types currently deployed or undergoing maintenance were to be retrofitted with them. In early June, 1943 the first front-line units on the Russian Front retrofitted their Sturmgeschütz in time for the Kursk offensive


Academy 1:35 Scale Model built and painted my me