Kit Review: Tamiya 35381 Panzer IV/70(A) in 1/35

[@AdamMann3D]

Hey guys, I realize I forgot to mention or show the PE schurzen. My apologies. I'm a bit rusty. I'll go over it in the after action report. Ive already atarted the kit.

[@HamilkarBarkasScaleModelling]

Nice to see you back with such a video, people seem to value your kit reviews the most. I value your insight and your skills more though! Not a huge fan of that vehicle, but if i would build one, i might just go for this Tamiya kit, because why not?! Looks decent and the Dragon equivalent is a pain in the butt, as i have learned from you. Looking forward to see the next videos and how this one builds up.

[@AdamMann3D]

You would find this ugly thing acceptable. It's cruises along without Marder 2ing you in the back. Never thought I'd review anything again.

[@dean22593]

Love the review Adam, good to see you’re back mate. 👍

[@Panzermeister36]

Looks like a decent kit. Molding hatches on like that is pretty standard from Tamiya, and I guess when there's no interior detail there's no need for it to be separate. But I still prefer to assemble all those things myself. I am curious to see the comparison between this and Dragon.

[@AdamMann3D]

I knew you wanted thr comparison. And I didn't film any construction. I'm a bastard. But I should have the after action comparison ready in a week or so

[@Panzermeister36]

I don't think you'd really have to film much construction. I only film difficult assemblies, major issues, or changes I made... and I doubt this kit will require any of that. The only things here that might benefit from some footage is you drilling out the tool clamps, or the assembly of the side skirts.

[@connorthenativeman6126]

That kit looks good I may look into getting it your commentary on i how you brake down all the sprue trees

[@AdamMann3D]

It's an ugly vehicle, but a very affordable kit.

[@Tony196180]

Great to see you back with us, hope you do some Tiger I reviews on some the latest Tiger's,

[@AdamMann3D]

I will, but I don't actually have any new Tigers. When I stopped reviewing them companies stopped sending them. But it will likely happen.

[@davidclarke1426]

@@AdamMann3D I'm dying to know what you think of the new updated Rye Field Tiger I initial - looks like they took a look at your review of the first issue and some exec. said something along the lines of "yeah, everything he said, fix all that and we're golden". I only noticed this month - kit has a 'U' appended to the serial, has resin smoke launchers to fix the thickly molded ones and they've changed the side skirts to individual pieces (presumably of the correct dimensions). I'm going to have a crack at one once I can get my stash level down a bit. I'm on a strict 'two out, one in' policy currently.

[@SPSteve]

Glad to see Tamiya is finally getting away from rubber band tracks. I haven't built a lot of Tamiya kits but the kits I have built had great parts fit so construction is low stress. The included PE mesh side armor is nice, especially for a $37 kit. Tamiya kits may not be the highest detailed or the most accurate but from my experience they're always an enjoyable build. It would be nice if Tamiya stepped up to molded in zimmerit. Cool kit.

[@AdamMann3D]

That would be an absolute game changer.

[@silentumexcubitor6747]

I'm putting the finishing touches on mine, (except the actual PE skirts....) Yes, the 2 roof hatches are EASILY workable. And, the rear hull deck can be built as a seperate assembly to ease painting & construction. You really can't see that slot in the tracks, or the tab on the first return roller, but the design guarantees the tracks fit like gloves, if you're careful to assemble them solidly. AND, the gunner's sight moves side-to-side with the gun barrel, using a poly cap to hold it in place. (This feature MIGHT work with the seperatly-available breech assembly.) The entire upper hull/fenders assembly can be left a seperate assembly, if you don't glue the exhaust pipes to the rod they slide onto. Otherwise, the pipes make this more difficult to remove & install. The fit, and over-all molding quality is even better than Tamiy'a usual, which is the trade-off for slightly simplified details, molded-shut hatches, etc.... But a VERY easy, simple, quick, ENJOYABLE build..... Easy to add the headlight wire, or after-market upgrades.... Decent price, too! - $50.oo at "Toy City", my local Keene, NH hobby shop!....

[@garylawless3608]

Hi Adam! Good to see you back in action my friend. I built an L/70 by Hobby Boss recently, and it was a bit of a challenge for me to say the least. I got through it OK, but it still requires a little TLC and a paint job. The ‘Shutszen’ (sic) were a nightmare, but that might just be my own inexperience. I think the Tamiya kit is an `earlier version so I would like to add it to sit next to my Hobby Boss kit, and looks to be a fairly simple build. That kit is around $70 here in Australia, so you got a good deal I think. Looking forward to your build video. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺!

[@michaeldean1289]

Hi Adam Nice little review on a Tamiya ‘weekender’ kit. They are slowly starting to get better…., It’s really great to see you are back in the chair after a long absence ❤😊

[@AdamMann3D]

I need kits like this to ease me back in. Been nice being back.

[@HalidonDioramas]

Nice work Adam, continue with the Tamiya therapy, you will be jumping out of your skin after a couple more of them 😀

[@AdamMann3D]

I'm gonna do this, the Marder I, 38t and panzer 2 a/b/c. Then my Tamiya therapy will be reevaluated. I also have a Flak 36 from Tamiya I want to do. But dragon will pull me back in. It always does.

[@claytonmcclain182]

Really looking forward to this one forsure 👍I'll get mine soon. I have a ton of ideas on it. Hope your back. You were my go to on kits. Good to see you back✌️ God bless

[@davidclarke1426]

Ah, the delight of seeing and hearing the titles roll on one of your kit reviews I haven't more or less learned off by heart. Joy 😃. The reviews are engrossing because, as Hamilkar says, the knowledge and insight bring so much more to it. I can't tell you how my attention to clamps and their workings has developed over the last couple of years. Anyway, great review. Adam back in the saddle and my grandstand ticket for Tankfest @ Bovington safely secured. Surely this is the work of a benevolent universe... or something.

[@AdamMann3D]

You are way to kind but I love it. I actually went out of my way to pull out my original intro for this one. And it means a lot to know that other people have the same sense of wellness that I do that I am doing this. It's like the universe righting itself. Enjoy Bovington, I likely will never have either the time, money or courage to go there. I am so afraid of flying I can't even explain.

[@davidclarke1426]

@@AdamMann3D Hey Adam, yeah, that intro soothes me, don't change it! I first visited Bovington last year - no wife, no kids, just me. Doing the same this year - bliss. I'm a new joiner to the Panzer Research group, Understand the fear of flying (I'm going by ferry - much more agreeable), so I'll happily take any orders for specific photographs of tank bits. 😀

[@garymurphy5133]

Hello Adam, sorry to jump in with a different topic BUT wondered if you cam help. New to the hobby and your channel but you really know your stuff. i have looking at all your Tiger 1 vids. i have not got the funds to go for the top kits and my local shop has a Academy citadel tiger kit. is this any good or should i avoid it. i have bought some tamiya early kits which was lacking but not to expensive so can not moan

[@AdamMann3D]

I haven't built any newer academy Tigers. But they retooled the old interior mold about 7 years ago so it's much better now than it was. If I was going to do a Tiger on the cheap I'd go for 35216 by Tamiya. It's decently detailed and if you wanted to upgrade the tracks you can, but they're as good if not better than the Academy. Plus it should be pretty affordable and it's perfect for Kursk.

[@sonicimperium]

I just got the Dragon kit second hand, new in box for $20.

[@AdamMann3D]

Isn't that the best? That's why I go to shows. Half my stash was found second hand for $20-30.

[@sonicimperium]

​@@AdamMann3D Not a vehicle that was a must have for me but at that price I can't say no to a Dragon kit!

[@davidclarke1426]

@@AdamMann3D Not too many shows in Ireland, but I'm an eBay stalker. Just before Das Werk re-boxed it, I was desperately looking for 6383. I found one around €50 shipped, bought it, only to be messaged by the seller with some photos explaining that the dog tried to eat the kit while he had it out to post. The dog had done a job on the box for sure, but he said the plastic was okay. When I got it, all the plastic was fine, apart from the hull tub, the dog's gnashers had given that a good old squeeze - cracked and a bit warped. Disappointing, but my faith in humanity was restored when I noticed the little envelope in there - €25 cash. That's nice I thought, better get another one so I can fix that hull tub to the correct dimensions. Kit logic, right? The next one I snagged was in perfect condition, but was €50 and stayed that way. When it arrived, there was that suspicious rattling that usually spells loose/busted small bits. But on opening, the loose bits were magic tracks that had escaped a resealable bag, Ooh, cool, then I remembered the guide horns. I thought, if he was good enough to throw then in, I might put the lightening holes in for a couple of evenings. But the best was at the bottom of the box - only the old goody boxes - metal barrel, exhaust shrouds (are they too big?), the lot! There was me expecting DS at the bottom, but got Dragon's "hen's teeth' greatest hits! I swear the first thought I had was 'Adam Mann would have a chuckle at this eBay diamond'. Definitely a great first complex tiger kit - you were spot on the money there Adam.

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

Looks nice 👌

[@dukejohn2898]

I wait fore the border models of this kit.

[@AdamMann3D]

Can I ask why? I haven't don't any Border stuff but have heard mixed things

[@jasontorre3267]

Tamiya may be simplistic and have strange one pice molding, however the parts count is reasonable and it goes together well. Dragon kits look great but are 3 times the work and 4 times the parts count.

[@AdamMann3D]

I 100% agree there. There doesn't seem to be much difference in the final product. I'm currently realizing this. I don't have time for Dragon. I do have time for Tamiya.

[@jasontorre3267]

@@AdamMann3D Exactly, I'm currently building Dragon's M4a1 composite hull. It's coming along great however if this was a Tamiya I would have been done long ago. I only buy Dragon when they are the only game in town. They are also a bit pricey to boot.

[@daniellejones5981]

I'm usually a Dragon Nut, but this Kit is Great!!! My only problem was the Tracks... They're about a half Millimeter short. If the Idler Arm worked it would be no problem, oh well... I just drilled those Type 1 Clamp Handels out and they look Better than PE! And the only Molding I didn't like was the Jack Brackets (the same old crappy ones...) and the tapered Periscope Guards (Which I was too lazy to replace...) I built the Old Dragon Kit long ago, didn't like it at all! Especially the side skirts! The Tamiya Side Skirts are really good! The PE Mesh is a little flat, but not bad. And with some heat soften the Mesh, and some Locktite CA I aged mine with bends gouges and holes with No Problems! And they really look the part. I would definatly give this Kit a 👍💯

[@AdamMann3D]

I'm about 75% done. Saving tracks foer last. Hope that's not an issue for me.

[@yattaran1484]

Always loves Tamiya standard. Less expensive and easy to build ! 👍 By the way they still keep calling type 7 track as "Light Weight". Just curious who will be the first one to call them as "Heavy Duty" ! 🤔

[@AdamMann3D]

I would say heavy duty. Who says that?

[@paulbryson1692]

Why not review off the bits you don't like wonder how u would survive some ouill noise

[@AdamMann3D]

pardon me?