Warlord Games Panzer IV - winterized

One more tank, then I think I'll take a break from vehicles and get back to painting infantry.  This one is a Panzer IV Ausf. F1.  The model is one of the Italeri plastic models resized to 1/56 scale and distributed by Warlord Games.  I built this as the F1 version to fit with the goal of gaming the December 1941 Battle of Moscow - other versions possible with this kit weren't deployed until 1942.

I initially block-painted the same German field-grey that I used for the P38(t).  I wasn't so keen on that look, so I decided to winterize this one a bit.  I'm still not completely satisfied but I figure it's good enough.  This tank is crewed by particularly nasty Nazis - it proudly displays the insignia of 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich".  (boo, hiss!)

Gotta use those decals!  I copied the 623 number from a photo I saw, I've no idea whether it was an actual "Das Reich" tank!

Here are the bits.  Removable commander, but I chose not to have the turret hatch closeable.  The hatch ring fit very snug, whether open or closed, and I felt it likely snap off with more than one attempt to change from open to closed.

German tank forces to date.

Here they are with their Red Army opponents.