Panzerkampfwagen IV-Medium Tank

[cyberia]

A PzKpfw IV Ausf. H with crew topside

The Panzerkampfwagen IV, commonly know as the Panzer IV and with the official designation of SdKfz. 161, was Germany's main battle tank of World War II.

Weighing in at an average of 25 tonnes and powered by a 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM, The Panzer IV had an operational range of about 210 km with a top road speed of 40 km/h, and off road around 18 km/h.

The H, J and K versions of the Panzer IV were armed with the 75mm KwK L/48 gun

Actual weights and gun forward lengths of the Panzer IV depended on the Ausführung, or Ausf. which means "version".

In all there were ten versions of the Panzer IV ranging from the Ausf. A produced in 1937, to the Ausf. J & K versions produced up to 1945. In addition there was the Tauchpanzer coverted in 1942 into a "diving tank". The Panzerbefehlswagen IV (PzBefWg. IV) comand version and the Panzerbeobachtungwagen IV (PzBeogWg. IV), used as a Panzerartillerie Forward Observation Officer's vehicle.

A Panzer IV of the Waffen SS Reichsfuhrer SS Div. Italy, 1944

The earliest Panzer IV Ausf. A had 30 mm of slightly sloped (10-25°s) homogeneous steel armor on the turret front and hull front, with 15 mm on the turret and hull sides, 10 mm of armor on the turret top and 10 mm on the belly. This was deemed sufficient.
In practice, Panzer IVs would frequently face enemy tanks and anti-tank guns unsupported, and the armor was upgraded to 30 mm on the front hull of the Ausf. B, 50 mm in the Ausf. E, and 50+30 mm in the Ausf. G, with armor on the sides and rear being increased as well. From June, 1943 all new Panzer IVs, Ausf H and later, were produced with 80 mm of front armor, rather than having additional plates added, though the turret armor remained 50 mm thick. Panzer IVs frequently had armor skirting (Schürzen) or additional layers of armor added in the field. From late 1943 until September 1944, Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste was also a common addition.

A Panzer IV with full side armor in a village in the Ukraine

The Panzer IV was the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout all of World War II. More than 8,500 produced from 1937 to 1945.

[Jim O]

PzKpfw IV Ausf D from 5th company of 2nd Panzer Division in Semois on May 12th of 1940.



Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf A.



Hungarian Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf F(F1).



Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf F2 in North Africa.

[Jim O]

Panzerkampfwagen IV (Special) Ausf F2 Panzer Grenadier Division "Grossdeutschland", Eastern Front, Summer of 1942.



Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf J of 111th Panzer Brigade, 2111th Panzer Abteilung, Staff Company, Lorraine, France in September of 1944.



Brand new Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf E.



Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf H with armor skirts. (Late Production Model)

[Jim O]

Originally Posted by cyberia

A PzKpfw IV Ausf. H with crew topside

Notice the Soviet T-34 tracks that are used as additional armor on this tank.

[PanzerBob]

I'll add my wallpaper link in as well. Panzer IV Wallpapers





Panzer IV Ausf F2 THRU DUST N SMOKE



Panzer IV Ausf D, 2 Pz Div

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Jim O

Notice the Soviet T-34 tracks that are used as additional armor on this tank.

Good eye, Jim. I blew that one up to see who might catch it.

You win the cookie!!!

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by PanzerBob

I'll add my wallpaper link in as well. Panzer IV Wallpapers



Panzer IV Ausf D, 2 Pz Div

Nice Bob, love that color one!

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Jim O

Attachment 841
Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf J of 111th Panzer Brigade, 2111th Panzer Abteilung, Staff Company, Lorraine, France in September of 1944.
[/center]

I like closeups like these. You can really make out how the ceramic anti-mine paste was applied.

[Hagen]

Panzer IVJ Late




The last of the J series, this model like the early J had the turret traverse motor removed and an extra fuel tank added. Also to conserve scarce materials this Panzer IV has only three return rollers as compared to the four rollers of the others in the IV series. Also of note is the wire "Thoma" schurzen, notice how it also runs from the top of the support to the top of the hull, to try and keep nasty little surprises from getting thrown to close to the upper hulls sides or getting trapped between screen and upper hull. Also this model goes with a flame damper style of exhaust, the right one is broken off at the base. The front towing shackles are a simplified one piece design thats cast with the hulls side plate.

I'm really interested in this series if anyone has any photos or info on this model I'ld really appreciate hearing from you. thanks

[cyberia]

A Panzer IV Ausf. G with the shorter L/43 75mm gun



Pz IV Gs on the way to the front. The "G" series had a double baffle muzzle break



A Pz IV F2 in the Western Desert. The globular muzzle break on the 75mm gun is clearly visible