Pz.Kpfw. IV/VI 122(r)

Manufacturer: Kit-bash,mainly Revell

By Marko Mäkinen .

At the late stages of theWWII Germans were researching methods to penetrate the everstronger armors of Russian tanks. Some attempts were made toemploy captured heavy Russian anti-tank guns, like the 122 mmD-25T by fitting them to existing tank turrets. At HeereszeugamtWien (Army Depot in Vienna) two Tiger E turrets were transformedinto this purpose in spring 1945. Originally the experimentalturrets were meant to be installed on Tiger chassis, but at timethe Russians rapidly advanced to Austria and the depotperimeters, none were available. Thus the depot personnel wereforced in a haste to weld one turret solidly on top of astrengthened, all-steel-wheeled pz IV chassis as an instrument ofimmediate self protection to be operated by the defending troops.The pz IV springs could not handle the increased weight of thetank, and it had to be towed from the depot to a nearby defenceposition. There it was turned into a static pill-box by addingextra side-armor which by their weight further paralysed thevehicle, and thereby almost all means of moving the main gunsideways were lost. The tank crew eventually surrendered thisimprovised test vehicle to the advancing Russians on April 13th1945 without firing a shot, and it was captured and soontransferred to Moscow for closer examination. This picture of thepz.kpfw. IV/VI 122 (r) is taken after the war, when the vehiclewas displayed at a local exhibition, after being painted anddecorated with fictitious markings for propaganda purposes by thewinners.

In true life the model isa "German" tank that never was and never could havebeen either. I am not at all sure if the 122 mm gun would havefit the Tiger turret, and it is certain that panzer IV chassiscould not have housed that wide and heavy turret let alone moveabout with such enormous, front-heavy weight. What you really seehere is a fun project to take advantage of a pile of left overand spare kit parts that were lying around after more seriousprojects. It consists of a PST 122 mm gun housed in a Revell lateTiger E turret with a Panther mantlet, and then attached to aRevell panzer IV chassis with Revell StuG IV wheels and tracks.The hull front panel belongs to a Tiger and is tilted to anabnormally steep angle. Extra armor includes side plates from aRevell Panther and a Matchbox Jagdpanzer. The exhaust set belongsto a Revell Panther and the gun travel lock is taken from an oldMatchbox U.S. howitzer. This entertainment project was a funbuild with very relaxed authenticity standards and included noserious background study whatsoever. Despite the practical andhistorical impossibilities I personally like the looks of thislittle monster, which to me resembles somewhat a T-34-85 blownout of proportions.