Modelling the Early Panzerkampfwagen IV (Osprey Modelling) [Paperback]

Tom Cockle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Osprey Modelling | Publication Date: November 10, 2005

The Panzerkampfwagen IV has often been referred to as the 'workhorse' of the German Army in World War II. This important weapon went through several upgrades and improvements and was the only German tank to have been produced continuously throughout the entire war. This book specifically deals with the short-barrelled Panzer IV, built until February 1942, which saw service from the invasion of Poland, through the fall of Western Europe and the campaigns of North Africa to the steppes of the Soviet Union.
This book takes on a series of increasingly complex construction projects covering all the major Panzer IV types, including the rare multi-turreted Neubau-Panzerkampfwagen IV.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If ...you want a step by step guide by one of the acknowledged experts in the field, on how to produce a historically accurate, miniature replica of an eraly Panzer IV, get one today. Highly recommended... A very good book for the super detailer, by a recognised expert on the subject at an excellent price." -Vinne Branigan, Armorama (January 2006)

"I believe this to be another fine addition to the fast growing Osprey Modelling series line, with top-notch photography, exciting and interesting projects, and extremely useful technique instruction this manual comes very highly recommended from this modelers point of view." -Mark Smith, Armorama (October 2005)

About the Author

Tom Cockle was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1949. He has been modelling for 26 years and has won several awards at US and Canadian model shows. During this time, he has written articles for several magazines including Military Modeler, Military in Scale, Military Modelcraft International, FineScale Modeler, AFV Modeller and Steelmasters. He has written several books for Concord Publications as well as the Sturmgeschutz III Ausf.G Walk Around book for Squadron/Signal Publications

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841768650
• ISBN-13: 978-1841768656
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,335,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars How We Used to Do It, September 11, 2007

By 

Gerald P. Owens (Pompano Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modelling the Early Panzerkampfwagen IV (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

The Panzerkampfwagen IV was the only German tank to remain in production for the entire six years of World War Two, and was central in almost every campaign from 1939 to 1945. Aimed at very advanced modelers, this book's articles show how to combine the 1/35th scale Tamiya late model Panzer IV kits released in the 1990's with a few parts from the dreadful Tamiya Panzer IV D from the 1970's and some resin and brass aftermarket parts to create the early, short-gun variants of this most important German tank. Unfortunately, timing is everything, and the book became obsolete seemingly within minutes of publication, as each of these early Panzer IV variants (except the very first production version) became available within the last two years as new, state of the art kits from Dragon-1/35 Pz. IV Ausf. C - Superkit and Tristar-1/35 Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.D/T. In a sense, Tom Cockle has been "hoist by his own petard," as he served as technical advisor on some of these excellent new model kits.
Most useful to the reader would be the chapter on building the very first Panzer IV variant, the Ausf. A, which had a wider superstructure than subsequent versions, and is still not available in kit form (at this writing). However, as the book includes no templates or scale drawings, it would still be necessary to buy a dedicated reference book like Thomas Jentz's Panzer Tracts volume devoted to the Panzer IV to glean a set of the necessary plans. The builder should of course, use one of the new Panzer IV B or C kits from Dragon or Tristar as a starting point, which would save some work.
This title doesn't offer any scale reference drawings or alternate marking schemes (other than the the single scheme shown on each of the featured tanks), and there is relatively little in the way of "how to" model building advice that we find in Steve Zaloga's books in Osprey's series.
Curiously, one chapter is devoted to modeling the Neubaufahrzeug heavy tank prototype from 1932, a tank that was unrelated to the Panzer IV, and was limited to just three examples built. The 1/35th scale resin kit by Armo used in this build is given a fairly poor rating (Cromwell in the UK reportedly offers a better kit).
Overall, it is really difficult to justify buying the book now, unless you just want to study the painting styles used in the final finishes.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book, March 27, 2009

By 

Butch (Oak Ridge, TN) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Modelling the Early Panzerkampfwagen IV (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

This book is written by Tom Cockle, a master modeler who obviously knows his stuff. It is profusely illustrated although the color balance of the photos is off and slightly greenish. It goes into great detail although it is more of a "what I did" rather than a "how I did it" book. There is a good index and good references for further study. All in all, it is a good book and I would recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful resource, August 7, 2007

By 

Edwin B. Burgess "KS librarian" (Leavenworth, KS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modelling the Early Panzerkampfwagen IV (Osprey Modelling) (Paperback)

I got back into modeling after a hiatus of some years. This Osprey book helped me a lot. Excellent pictures, good suggestions for practitioners. Not for the beginner, this is a very useful tool for this specific tank.