Ontrack Models

[T140]

I've come across a rather nice model, which many of you may well already know, which is a Panzer IV bridgelayer by Ontrack Models in HK. It's a resin kit and from the photos on their web site does look the biz.

Now then, any one built this beastie or can shed any light on the company. Are their kits worth the money, are they accurate, should they be avoided ?

All comments gratefully received as this kit would require the expenditure of many beer tokens, and that's a big decission ! :thumb:

http://home.netvigator.com/~thomplam/

Click on the on-line mail order section then the bridgelayer kit for piccies.

[T140]

Hmmmm. With no replies I do wonder if this make is any good. Surprised nobody seems to know of it.

Whilst looking round for some info on these tanks I found a site that has this pic. It says that 20 panzer IV's were converted in 1940, 4 Ausf C and 16 Ausf D. What I don't know is which version this pic is. There are only 3 return rollers for the track (I thought all IV's had 4, but then I know bugger all). Can anyone confirm which this is please ?

Cheers.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/t140-bonneville/Bridge.jpg

[tamigawa]

Don't think this is the same bridgelayer, but DML has this one coming out soon.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/bridgelayer.jpg

[T140]

Well, no point spending loads on a resin when that one is coming out. Any idea what sort of price it might go at ?

The hull looks more like this one here, although the bridge unit itself has differences.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/t140-bonneville/Bridge2.jpg

[T140]

This is the offering from Ontrack Models, and I would say the DML one is the same type etc. Bit of a bummer for Ontrack !

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/t140-bonneville/Bridge3.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/t140-bonneville/Bridge4.jpg

[tamigawa]

Probably about $40 USD. That's what DML kits are running at lately.

[T140]

Ok, thanks. sounds like that would be a good price.
The Ontrack one retails at HK$1450 which is about UK£100 and that converts to US$190 !
Think I'll wait for the DML one, which is likely to be more detailed anyway. :thumb:

Now here's a thought. The bridge in the first photo I posted is the same but with the different hull. Strong possabilities there for a conversion on a different kit to be a bit different perhaps ?

Would I be right in assuming the 3 return roller version is the Ausf "C" ?

[Driver]

Hmmmm. With no replies I do wonder if this make is any good. Surprised nobody seems to know of it.

Whilst looking round for some info on these tanks I found a site that has this pic. It says that 20 panzer IV's were converted in 1940, 4 Ausf C and 16 Ausf D. What I don't know is which version this pic is. There are only 3 return rollers for the track (I thought all IV's had 4, but then I know bugger all). Can anyone confirm which this is please ?

Cheers.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/t140-bonneville/Bridge.jpg

That tank in the foreground can't be a Panzer IV because not only it has 3 return roller but it also have 6 road wheels and the Panzer IV had 8. The one in the background is a Panzer IV. Maybe it is a Panzer III although the sprockets and road wheels doesn't look right.

[lquah]

Ian

A certain Chinese company is also going to be releasing this kit and will be "based heavily" on the On Track Models kit.

Lawrence

[tamigawa]

The wheels look more like a Pz II, but that can't be right as they had 4 return rollers....

[tamigawa]

"certain Chinese Company"? Not DML?

[lquah]

I consider DML to be a HK company.

[tamigawa]

Ah.... Trumpeter?

[T140]

That still leaves the vehicle in the photo being something of a mystery. The info I can find refers only to the 20 Paner IV's that were converted, but clearly there is something else there. Maybe a protoype that was a one off ?

[Driver]

Ian, the closest thing I could find to that chassis is this;

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p89/rdlopez65/PanzerIIIMKA.jpg
This was a variant of the Panzer IIIA made by Krupp for exportation. It was called the "MKA".

[T140]

Cheers Ruben. Definate possability then, as Krupp were one of the two companies who converted the 20 Mk IV's. Perhaps that photo is one taken at their own testing grounds. If the DML kit when it comes out has the same bridge unit then it could be used with tis hull to make an unusual conversion.