Take a look here:

http://mmodell.de/forum/index.php?pa...d&threadID=153

Very nice suspensions and overall detailing! At the bottom of the page Marco Schweickert (the author) says that Asiatam informs that the launch should be by Feb.10th....
Regards

Pretty freakin SWEET!!!

The only thing i see that may need addressing is teh idler, somehow it looks a bit too high to me, or is it just me?

Overall the tank looks better than anything HL has produced so far.

Yep february is what i heard on the jungle drums so fingers crossed

I see at least three models sitting there, waiting to be retrofitted. Strange that they opted for the short GP 75mm when they could have very well made the more popular ausf. H or F-2. Oh well, until they bring out the VVSS Sherman, this will keep everyone in the rebuild mode for a while.

Idler looks fine. if at the worst one could stick the panzer 3 idler on it. if one wanted to go real early on the IV a panzer 3 idler would be more appropriate detail wise.

Well, the mantlet shouldn't have spaced armour (maybe they needed the extra space for the airsoft mechanism?) and the turret rear stowage is Pz III style, not Pz IV (saving some money on the design?). There shouldn't really be a drop from the front return roller to the sprocket, should be at the same level. All fixable I suppose.

edit. Can't spell/type !!

What fun would it be if there was nothing to correct?

Much better (and more accurate) detail than the Bandai!

Wish the suspension was active.

This will be a hot item for sure.

Just wait till the VVSS Sherman comes out! We'll all need bigger homes or have to add additions to make room for them all!

The suspension is "active" ? (its not just molded still)

Detail is great, the opening turret doors are a nice touch, but stupid people might go pulling at stuff they shouldnt (starting new threads like "my kid pulled a heap of wires outta my tank through the turret doors" and the likes)

When I say active, that means sprung compared to passive that just rotates about an axel.

They are sprung. The longest of the leaves is a spring (the shorter bits are just cast).

edit. this picture shows it best.

Excellent so it isnt like the Bandai. I might just have to make up a stug IV on this chassis too. Ill have to see the size difference between it and the bandai. If there isnt much ill not do the stug.

Big difference in 1/15 and 1/16 - have you seen the pics of a Bandai Tiger next to a Tamiya one? wow!

well i know that but what i mean is the difference great enough to warrant 2 Stug 4s.

Thanks gww for the leaf spring clarification, that makes the model worth it!

Could this mean a Sherman VVSS in the near future. IF they are toying with leaves, can movable arms be far behind!!!!

I think Tamiya better start spooling production up on DMDs.

The Panzer IV is up on the HL website
http://www.henglongtoys.net/eng/Product.asp?ClassID=1

I see "Alice" tracks on their Pershing!

I see there's a intriguing reference to : "Six groups of automative demonstration function and auto-programming function" in the Panzer IV blurb and apparently likewise in all "upgraded" models -- but also, it turns out, in some of the ordinary ones. Oh well, I imagine, it's just some generic gobbledygook.

Its just the macro/programming function for the non-S&S models (yes they still make them)

Gee,and here I'm just finishing up converting a 21st Century 1/18 Panzer IV to smoke and sound with airsoft including turret traverse and gun elevation. Well at least it was fun converting it.

I'll take 4 pls

I'm ready for at least one!