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First Look Review
135
Sturmpanzer IV Early/Mid-Prod
Sturmpanzer IV Early Version (Mid-Production) w/ Interior
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by: Jim Starkweather [ STAFF_JIM ]

This kit is a similar release to Tristar's earlier (#038) Sturmpanzer IV Early which came out in 2008. This version is the later mid-production variant which also includes a partial interior. Something the earlier release did not have. The kit also includes ample photo-etch and separate tracks.

Decals and color and marking information are included for three different vehicles. All in the same unit in Italy during 1944, Abteilung 216.

Since this is just a preview I will let the photos speak for themselves. We will be passing this kit on to someone who can give this kit the full review it deserves. There is certainly a lot of amazing detail in this release.
SUMMARY
Tristar has provided a pre-release production sample of their newest kit, the Sturmpanzer IV Early (Mid. Production) which includes a partial interior.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35040
  PUBLISHED: Jul 14, 2010
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 89.91%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.80%

Our Thanks to Tristar!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Jim Starkweather (staff_Jim)
FROM: NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES

I started building models in 1971 when I was 6. My first model was a 1/32 P-40 Warhawk. Revell I believe. From there I moved onto the standard cars, Apollo spacecraft, and other kid orientated kits. I don't know what got me started on Armor. I must have seen a Monogram tank kit one day and said "Mom...

Copyright ©2021 text by Jim Starkweather [ STAFF_JIM ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Hi Jim Saw your edit. Just didn't want the moaners to come down on you. It is a bit strange on Tristar's part because other kits they've put interiors into have been full interiors, right through to engine compartment detail. With the big hatches this beastie has it needs an interior. Maybe they figured that the missing elements won't be seen but that can probably be said for about 90% on interiors. Will we see this build blogged by one of the usual suspects soon ? Alan
JUL 14, 2010 - 07:39 AM
Hi, just a point which no-one appears to have picked up - the box illustration shows zimmerit - why no moulded zimmerit? or we supposed to shell out for the kit, and then spend about the same on an aftemarket add on? DW
JUL 14, 2010 - 09:30 AM
Only DML have provided kits with Zim on the hull structures, and they have their own issues as it effects fit of pieces. A number of people have complained that because the Zim is perfect it is difficult to make it look damaged, and I don't think it is really fair to knock the kit because it doesn't have Zim moulded on it.
JUL 14, 2010 - 11:08 AM
Not knocking Tristar really, just another kit that raises the level of scale detail to the next plane - but cannot be made into an accurate 'out of the box' (at higher and higher cost) Dave
JUL 14, 2010 - 09:21 PM
I have been pleasantly surprised with Tristar's fit and finish. Some areas of their 38(t) are over complicated, but they've carved out a niche, although a crowded one in Axis armor. At least we are presented with relatively complete kits by them making their 'bang-for-the-buck' pretty high in comparison to those demanding addition upon addition... It can only get better!
JUL 25, 2010 - 01:13 PM
Tristar has put a full interior in their Panzer 38(t) kits but not their Panzer IV kits (at least not the Ausf C and initial Ausf D kits that I have). I believe for a while Tristar sold their Panzer 38(t) interior as a separate kit.
JUL 25, 2010 - 05:34 PM
Gary: You are correct. For a time Tristar did sell it's 38(t) interior as a separate kit, which can still be found through some retailers. It would be nice to have some more options from Tristar for their Panzer IV chassis, but they do look to be nice kits for what it's worth. They also made a nicely detailed interior for the Flakpanzer I kit they released a while back, but no engine if my memory serves correct.
JUL 25, 2010 - 05:46 PM
the sprues of the hull look exactly the same (color and each part) as their Panzer IV ausf D. kit. Strange because on the hull-sprues it appears like it said "brumbar", oh well, I never noticed that I was actually capable of remembering the actual arrangements of the actual pieces, nor did i never know the lexicon for the "holes" and the extrusions/indentations to merge two pieces together.
JUL 26, 2010 - 01:01 AM
Hi Dave. You always have the option of building the # 35038 kit - German Sturmpanzer IV (Early) Sd.Kfz.166. No need for zimmerit for this one. The fighting compartment does not have the round stowage details like the later kit does, but the gun is there. Its an excellent kit .... Im building it at the moment. Tristar do have an injection-moulded engine as well ... although it came after the flakpanzer kit ... it was inlcuded in their # 35025 kit - Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.A ohne Aufbau. Not exactly the same. The pzr IV D has seperate plates to make up the lower hull, but the Brumbar has a single tub. Totally different. Maybe thats why you never noticed that you were capable of remembering the actual arrangements Jacob
JUL 26, 2010 - 08:34 AM
   
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