Tamiya 35340 - 1:35 Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) Lang

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) Lang tank destroyer

Tamiya 35340 reproduces the Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) Lang (Sd.Kfz.162/1) – a German tank destroyer that was the ultimate development of the Panzer IV chassis. The vehicle was armed with a long, powerful 7.5 cm L/70 anti-tank gun whose range outclassed the armament of contemporary Allied tanks. The designation “Lang” (German for “long”) was added to distinguish it from the earlier version with the shorter L/48 gun.

The model is made from new tooling, capturing the vehicle's low, menacing silhouette with its characteristic wedge-shaped glacis plate. The realistic surface textures include the cast “Saukopf” mantlet and hull weld lines. The front steel-rimmed wheels and the late, lightweight production tracks are also reproduced.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull and wedge-shaped glacis plate
• Long 7.5 cm PaK 42 L/70 gun with a one-piece barrel
• Cast “Saukopf” mantlet and hull weld lines
• Front steel-rimmed wheels
• Mixed tracks (individual links and longer lengths), late production
• Two figures (torsos)
• Decal sheet for three marking options (Western and Eastern front)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35340
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 244 mm, width: 91 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (mixed tracks)

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The one-piece barrel simplifies assembly of the gun, and the mixed tracks combine quick assembly of longer lengths on the straight runs with individual links on the curves. The figures are best painted separately before being placed on the vehicle.

For painting, a camouflage combining dark yellow with patches of olive green and red brown is recommended, matching the chosen marking option. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and recesses benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) Lang:

The Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) was the ultimate development of a design based on the Panzer IV tank chassis. The original pre-war tank design was up-armoured, up-armed and reshaped so that it remained a serious threat to Allied vehicles right up until the last days of the war. The characteristic wedge-shaped glacis plate was shared by the L/48 and L/70 variants.

The vehicle was armed with a long 7.5 cm L/70 gun whose range and penetration outclassed the armament of contemporary Allied tanks. Between August 1944 and March 1945, 930 examples of the Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) Lang were built. They fought in the final actions of the war, including on the Ardennes front from December 1944, where their range and firepower caused the Allies serious difficulties.

Original specifications (Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) Lang):

• Length with gun: approx. 8.5 m
• Width: approx. 3.17 m
• Height: approx. 1.85 m
• Combat weight: approx. 25.8 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 7.5 cm PaK 42 L/70 gun
• Secondary armament: 7.92 mm MG42 machine gun
• Powerplant: Maybach HL 120 petrol engine, approx. 272 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 35 km/h
• Armour: up to 80 mm (front)
• Production: Aug 1944 – March 1945, 930 examples

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.