Jagdpanzer IV L70 | 1:45 Scale.

Difficulty: 3/5

Model Features:

• Functional rolling tracks.
• Removable side armor.
• 1:45 Minifig Compatible Scale

Package Features:

• 510 New Construction Elements.
• Paperback printed instruction manual.
• 4 One-sided UV-printed Tiles
• 1 Exclusive UV-printed Ammunition Crate.

Kits are prepared and packaged upon purchase. Please allow 5-7 days for processing.

History:

The Jagdpanzer IV series of tank destroyers would begin development in 1942 after the German Army Weapons Office requested a heavier successor to the Stug III series of assault guns able to mount the longer 7.5 cm KwK L/70 gun. Vomag, a company responsible for producing Panzer IV tanks, would design the basis for the Jagdpanzer IV. The final design had a frontal armor thickness of 80mm angled at 45 degrees and a side armor thickness of 40mm angled at 30 degrees. The chosen armament would be the aforementioned 7.5 cm KwK L/70 gun, the same gun used on the famous Panther tanks. The combined armor protection, gun, and low profile of the casemate design made the Jagdpanzer IV a more than suitable design for a defensive ambush vehicle.

The Jagdpanzer IV started to reach frontline units by mid-1944 and started to have a significant presence starting late 1944 to early 1945 on both the Eastern and Western fronts. When placed in its role, records indicate it performed well. However, due to the shortage of armored units plaguing late-war Germany, oftentimes the Jagdpanzer IV was used in offensive operations similar to how traditional medium tanks were used, to which disastrous results could be expected.

Furthermore, though the design was sound in theory, many issues continued to hinder the performance of the Jagdpanzer IV until the end of the war. One prominent issue, which was only amplified when the Jagdpanzer IV received the L/70 upgrade, was how it was very front-heavy. This led to excessive wear on the rubber road wheels and shortened transmission and suspension life. The only fix German Engineers made was to reinforce the wheels with steel.

In the end, the Jagdpanzer IV was a very successful design. Despite this, as with most German tanks, it came too few and too late to change the outcome of the war.