1:35 Panzer IV Jack Rest Block (Leather Strap Version) (Unterlegklotz)

Panzer IV jack rest block, version with a leather strap, 1:35

A resin jack rest block (Unterlegklotz) for a model of the German Panzer IV medium tank in 1:35 scale, in the version with a leather strap. On the real vehicle the wooden block was laid under the foot of the jack so that it did not sink into soft ground, and it was carried lashed to the hull. The resin print holds the wood grain and the shape of the strap, which the plastic part from a kit usually lacks.

The real subject

The Panzer IV was the most numerous German tank of the Second World War and the only one built from the first battles to the capitulation; in all more than eight thousand were made in the Ausf. A to J versions. Early versions carried the short 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 intended mainly for infantry support; from the Ausf. F2 version the long KwK 40 arrived, with which the support tank became a full match for the Allied types. The jack and the wooden block under its foot were carried outside on the fenders; the mounting of the block changed during production, sometimes a metal clamp, sometimes a strap.

Building and painting tips

Dry fit the parts before gluing, because resin cannot be realigned once the glue has set. Cut the supports off with a scalpel and level the area with a sanding sponge under water. Washing in warm soapy water removes any uncured print resin residue; without it the primer marbles. A dark wash runs into the engraved edges and the hardware stands out.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build the Panzer IV and want to replace the plastic block
• Diorama builders who show the wood grain and the leather close up
• Modelers who work with resin and super glue

This is an accessory for modifying a model, not a kit of the vehicle. The parts are supplied unpainted; the base kit, the glue and the paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Check the exact contents on the box.