The German Panzer IV Ausf. E was introduced in 1940 as an upgraded version of the earlier Panzer IV variants, incorporating improvements in armour and crew protection. Its frontal armour was increased to 50mm, giving it better survivability against early Allied anti-tank weapons, while side armour was also thickened to 30mm. It retained the short-barrelled 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24 gun, effective with high-explosive shells for infantry support but increasingly limited in an anti-tank role. Secondary armament consisted of two 7.92mm MG34 machine guns. Powered by the Maybach HL 120 TRM engine, it had a top speed of around 42 km/h (26 mph), with good reliability and mobility for its class. The Ausf. E saw combat during the Balkans Campaign, the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, and in North Africa, where it served as the backbone of German armoured forces until heavier-armed Panzer IV variants arrived. Although soon outclassed by the Soviet T-34, the Ausf. E marked a significant step in the Panzer IV’s evolution, laying the foundation for the up-armoured and re-armed models that would dominate later in the war.
 
Multi part resin model.
 
Printed by Imperator Models on License from Wargame 3D.