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Dragon models has done a new kit of Panzer IV E mit Vorpanzer. Never had I expected it realized as a plastic injection model kit, though I admit that it is an interesting beast to model. Nothing other than non-standard vehicles like this attracts us panzer-lovers more!
Since the publication of Begleitwagen book (Spielberger, Doyle, Jentz) in 1998, I have been searching for photos of Panzer IVs to have accumlated a few. Actually there are not a few photographic records of the Vorpanzer, and they pop up from time to time.
Most of the photos in my collection shows an example from the replacement unit of Großdeutschland division.
Füsilier Hermuth Herzog (photo showing him as Obervormann) was trained in 2.Kp, Feldersatz-Bataillon Großdeutschland and went to the front in Stab/Füsilier-Regiment Großdeutschland in may 1943. In Cottbus, a series of photos were made showing a Pz IV Ausf. E mit Vorpanzer that participated in the parade.
The same tank was pictured in 1944, also in Cottbus. Hauptwerkmeister Bahr was assigned to Panzer-Instandsetzungs-Kompanie "G.D", he is pictured sitting on an Ausf.E mit Vorpanzer. This could well be the same tank as the tank shown in Herzog photos. Note the warped antenna deflector behind the Gepäckkasten (stowage bin).
This tank featured:
Please note that not all Vorpanzer Ausf.E had these features.
Here is another Ausf.E mit Vorpanzer which shows a standard Gepäckkasten. Its running gear is Ausf.E standard, 38cm track and thinner road wheels - this feature is also shared in an Ausf.E example from the replacement unit of Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (seller claim, no way to verify it). Please note that the Gepäckkasten is fixed in a slightly different way when compared to the scale drawing in Begleitwagen book. The scale drawings appear to have a bit too wide Gepäckkasten - it is apparent when comparing the original drawing (Begleitwagen p.160/166) with Ausf.F scale drawing (p.164).
A very similar Gepäckkasten is also found on a normal (I mean: without Vorpanzer) Ausf.D (with Ausf.E running gear). Unit is unknown, but it somewhat makes me think of Pz.Rgt.31.
Also, it is clear that on Ausf.E, Vorpanzer was welded, not bolted, to the turret. This is different from the original drawing for Ausf.F Vorpanzer shown in Begleitwagen book. As far as I know, no photos of Ausf.F has been published with Vorpanzer showing the attachment details. I would appreciate it if a reader could share us a photo.
There were also Ausf.D's with Vorpanzer fitted. On page 169 of Begleitwagen book, an Ausf.F named "Hansi" followed by an Ausf.D (also with Vorpanzer) is pictured. Ausf.D apparently retains original 38cm track and thinner wheels.
Recently, photo of a Panzer IV Ausf.D mit Vorpanzer in Ersatz-Regiment "Hermann Göring" surfaced - it was taken in Holland, as seen in dutch order "no jews allowed". The Ausf.D (Fgst. 80638) features "Zusatzpanzerung" on the hull front and Ausf.E running gear. I really don't know what to say about turret Vorpanzer, it looks like different from others (noted with ??) but it just could be my eyes.
Another Ausf.D found in a Pz.Rgt.31 photo album shows a standard Ausf.D running gear.
No one in the modelling circle had ever heard of the word "Vorpanzer" until this modification got widely known.
But what does exactly Vorpanzer mean? Spaced armor? No. Frontal armor? No.
Here, you see page 10 of the manual H.Dv.469/2a.
As you can see, Vorpanzer translates best to additional armor.
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