{"product_id":"german-pz-kpfw-iv-ausf-j-med-tank-1-48-model-kit-by-hobby-boss","title":"German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J Med. Tank 1:48 Model Kit by Hobby Boss","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:48 scale plastic model kit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAccurately represents the German \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J Medium Tank\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the final production variant of the highly successful Panzer IV family used during the later stages of the Second World War\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDetailed representation of the late-war \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAusf.J variant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e featuring simplified production modifications introduced to speed up manufacturing\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAccurately reproduced \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7.5cm KwK40 L\/48 main gun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with detailed gun barrel and mantlet assembly\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed turret featuring commander’s hatch, gun fittings, and late-production characteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRealistic hull featuring armour plate details, weld lines, engine deck, and surface textures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes detailed suspension system with accurately reproduced road wheels, drive sprockets, and idler wheels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed track assemblies for realistic positioning and display\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes late-war external equipment including tools, tow cables, exhaust components, and storage fittings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrecision-moulded parts for accurate scale representation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes detailed vehicle accessories suitable for advanced painting and weathering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaterslide decal sheet featuring authentic German WWII marking options\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIdeal for late WWII German armour collections, Eastern Front displays, or compact-scale Panzer IV diorama projects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hobby Boss\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1:48\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J Medium Tank\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Injection-moulded plastic\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSkill Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Suitable for intermediate modellers\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaint \u0026amp; Glue Required:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Yes (sold separately)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Age:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 14+\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKit Number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 84842\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVehicle Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Medium Tank\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 5\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMain Armament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 7.5cm KwK40 L\/48 gun\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecondary Armament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Two 7.92mm MG34 machine guns\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParts:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 270 parts\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrack Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Track assemblies included\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Length:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 197.6mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Width:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 94.8mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlastic sprues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed upper and lower hull components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePanzer IV Ausf.J turret assembly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7.5cm KwK40 L\/48 main gun components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuspension and running gear parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrack assemblies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExternal tools and vehicle equipment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMachine gun components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaterslide decal sheet with German WWII markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory of the Original Vehicle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePanzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.J\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, officially designated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.J (Sd.Kfz.161\/2)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, was the final production version of Germany’s most widely manufactured tank of the Second World War. Originally designed as an infantry support vehicle, the Panzer IV evolved throughout the conflict into Germany’s primary medium tank after the decline of the Panzer III’s battlefield effectiveness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDevelopment of the Panzer IV began in the mid-1930s, with production starting in 1939. Early versions were equipped with short-barrelled guns intended primarily for infantry support, while anti-tank duties were assigned to the smaller Panzer III. However, the arrival of increasingly capable Allied and Soviet armoured vehicles forced the Panzer IV to undergo continuous upgrades throughout the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe introduction of the long-barrelled \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7.5cm KwK40 L\/43 and later L\/48 gun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e transformed the Panzer IV into an effective tank-fighting vehicle. This weapon provided significantly improved armour penetration and allowed the Panzer IV to engage enemy tanks such as the Soviet T-34 and American Sherman more effectively.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAusf.J entered production in 1944\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and represented Germany’s attempt to simplify production as the war situation deteriorated. Many features found on earlier variants were removed or modified to reduce manufacturing time and conserve resources. The most notable change was the replacement of the turret’s electric traverse system with a manually operated mechanism, allowing production to continue with fewer components.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLate-war Panzer IV Ausf.J tanks often featured simplified fittings, reduced external equipment, and variations in armour and track arrangements depending on factory availability. Despite these compromises, the vehicle retained the reliable chassis design that had allowed the Panzer IV family to remain in frontline service throughout the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePowered by the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaybach HL120 TRM V12 petrol engine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the Panzer IV offered dependable mobility and mechanical reliability. Although outclassed in armour protection by heavier German tanks such as the Panther and Tiger, the Panzer IV remained valuable due to its proven design, ease of maintenance, and widespread availability.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Ausf.J saw combat during the final campaigns of the Second World War, including the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNormandy campaign\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArdennes Offensive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and the desperate defensive battles fought on the Eastern Front during 1944 and 1945. It served alongside newer German vehicles and continued to provide useful armoured support despite Germany’s declining industrial capacity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9,000 Panzer IV tanks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of all variants were produced, making it the most numerous German tank of WWII. Its longevity was due to its adaptable design, allowing it to be upgraded repeatedly while retaining a common mechanical foundation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Panzer IV Ausf.J represents the final stage in the development of one of Germany’s most important armoured vehicles. While it lacked the advanced armour and firepower of later heavy tanks, its reliability and widespread use ensured it remained a significant component of German armoured forces until the end of the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor modellers, the Ausf.J is a popular subject due to its late-war appearance, variety of camouflage schemes, and historical connection to the final battles of WWII. Its simplified features and distinctive production changes make it an interesting addition to any German armour collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Snapshot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Germany\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDevelopment Period:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1943–1944\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEntered Service:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1944\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRole:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Medium Tank\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Various German manufacturers including Nibelungenwerke\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 5\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngine:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maybach HL120 TRM V12 petrol engine\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrimary Armament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 7.5cm KwK40 L\/48 gun\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecondary Armament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Two 7.92mm MG34 machine guns\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Speed:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 38 km\/h (24 mph)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRange:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 200 km\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an unassembled plastic model kit. Paint, glue, and modelling tools are not included. Recommended for ages 14 and over.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SCH Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60094223352142,"sku":"HBB84842","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1051\/3360\/5198\/files\/HBB84842.jpg?v=1784868831","url":"https:\/\/schmodels.co.uk\/products\/german-pz-kpfw-iv-ausf-j-med-tank-1-48-model-kit-by-hobby-boss","provider":"SCH Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}