TAMIYA 32518 1:48 Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.J Sd.Kfz.161/2

The kit represents an early to mid production Ausf.J but with a few later details thrown in to keep you on your toes. There is the early horizontal exhaust muffler only, no vision ports on the turret doors, an optional S-mine aperture on the turret roof, early J muzzle break as well as the tube style idler and the later cast idler wheels.

The kit has 183 parts in light beige plastic and the now standard die-cast lower hull tub plus a few poly caps and the decal and instruction sheets. The parts breakdown is very similar to their 1:35 Panzer IV J (kit 35181) with just some areas simplified for the smaller scale and I guess if you already have a respectable kit of the vehicle why re-invent the wheel?

Standard of moulding is very good as you would expect with a minimum of cleanup needed and only a few pin marks to contend with but there are few very small parts that will need careful handling during cleanup and assembly.