Great tank, but it is painted completely wrong! Also, if it only has manual traverse it is a J, not an H. All versions had manual traverse, but hey removed the the power traverse system for the late war "J" version. It saved copper and since they were mainly on the defense there was less need for the power traverse. On the other hand, someone may have removed the power traverse in its post-war life. I also notice the commander's hatch is 2 piece which was not typical of the J version. The tank may be a mixed part tank, which was common as tanks were repaired and upgraded. Despite what the man said, Panzer IVs had electric starters, but they were mainly only used in emergencies, such as restarting the tank in combat. Think about it, if your tank stalls for some reason, who wants to get out and risk cranking it when enemy infantry are around? The mufflers were also missing from that tank. As for being too big for the tank, not only are you larger than average for WWII, they tended to send smaller men to the tank force. Dive bombers too, btw, because tall people black out quicker. In fact, people your height would find all sorts of restrictions. The USA had many of the same restrictions. Submarines for example.
From what I read back in the 1980s, the earlier H model had a power turret traverse but it was removed from the later J model to simplify production when the Germans were suffering late in the war.
The Panzer IV has always been my favorite WWII-era German tank. Tankers and tank enthusiasts have an understanding that tanks themselves are apolitical. And that admiring, say, a Panzer or a T-34 does not mean you sympathize with the ideology of their respective nations. I served as a tank crewman in the U.S. Army. My final duty station was Fort Knox, the (now former) home of U.S. Armor. On a day off once in the middle of the week, when there were almost no other visitors, I toured the Patton Museum's collection of tanks. (In my life, I probably visited the Museum twenty or so times.) They had just put on display a newly-restored German Panther tank. No one else was around, so I hopped the velvet rope and pulled myself inside the Panther's turret. The turret was very easy to traverse with the manual crank, and it was fairly roomy inside (not forgetting that there was no one else in there, and no combat load to take up all the interior space.) It's safe to say the Germans made excellent tanks for a horrible purpose.
Good tank, yes. But Shermans were not bouncing off it. The bow plate and driver front were 80 mm, otherwise the thickest armor on the Pz IV Ausf H were the turret front and gun mantlet with 50 mm. The sides and superstructure were thinner again. The garden variety M4 with the 75 mm gun could kill this tank at normal combat ranges, unless the gunner was aiming specifically for the front of the hull.
Sherman tank crews also learned pretty fast to aim their grenade at the ground in front of the panzer so it bounces back up...right in the floor plating... (if not in mud /grass...but streets of France etc....)
Wow some one's a Lucky Boy. Being able to get in and even Traverse the Turret..! I have only ever seen the Outside. What a treat..! I still would NOT like to be in One in Action, mind. Or any tank in Action come to think of it..! Good Video Thx for Sharing. Cool. Cheers kim in Oz. 😎
In truth the Pz.Kpfw IV had already been a significant tank and was the only German tank produced to remain in continuous production throughout the war with various variants with over 8,500 units later to be succeed by the StuG III. Among various drawbacks it always suffered from having a weak armour around with with the exception of the frontal armour and obsolete suspension and a weak engine. That said I too never have seen the turret being allowed to be rotated, cool 😎. I am surprised to see that the is fairly complete but it needs to be restored to restored. Good job 👍👍👍
@@zackoroni6483 I really envy you, in a nice way of course, that you could rotate the turret! I understood that also the Panter wasn't so bad although heavier...
@@zackoroni6483 Because you believe everything Google tells you? One (1) M60A2 was nicknamed "Starship" by its crew in the '70s. That one photo of it was published in a armor book. It was never known as that in service or afterwards until the internet made it a military myth. You are contributing to a historical falsehood.
Muito obrigado por compartilhar sua experiencia, acho que o panzer 4 ainda tem um bom design ate para hoje em dia, nem parece algo feito nos anos 30. Realmente fascinante!
From what I understand, this tank did not see any action during WW2 and was captured intact on the production line by the USSR. It was eventually sold to Syria and used as a fortification in the Golan Heights during the 6 Day War between Israel and the Arab States.
Imagine being in that Mark IV in Russia on the road to Moscow. When the mercury dropped to 20 degrees below zero. Safe bet more then a few tank crewmen froze to death sitting upright at their stations.
The Panzer IV H and J entered service way after the Battle of Moscow. Inside the tank is quite warm, even in winter, because of the heat of the engine.
Actually, sherman-75 had an advantage at range, as it could punch through the turret armor of panzer-4 from 1500m, while panzer 4 long-75 could penetrate a sherman only from 1000m
Sherman’s 75mm gun had 67mm of penetration at 1,000 meters. The Panzer IV H and J’s turret armor was 50mm of armor. However, optics in the Sherman had x1.44 magnification to the late war Panzer IV’s had x2.5 magnification. The Panzer IV’s gun using standard APHE has approx. 110mm of penetration at 1,000m, capable of penetrating the hull or turret of the Sherman.
Never could understand why the Germans put the loader's position on the right side of the turret (versus everyone else using the left side) which means that he had to load the main gun left-handed. Any comments?
The loader lifts the shell with his right arm (strong arm) and rams it into the breech with his left arm. The loader sits perpendicular to the breech, moving the shell from right to left and then into the gun.
@@zackoroni6483 thanks for the feedback. That scenario seems awkwardly unergonomic as it's much easier to shove the round home with a right hand guided with the left...especially if your right handed. The loader on the left is what the British and U.S., and now the Germans do. Also, look at some videos of the German 88 ground-mount and you'll see everyone loading with the right hand.
Syrian upgrade isn't it there will he quitena few differences for ammo I've built many full interior kit's so let's see what's up here the rubber mud flaps we're a dead give away of the ones used in the 6 day war rear ends totally changed and horrid in that Syrian green eh! The notes still dunkelgelb thats cool!
Ah yes the panzer 4 the back bone of the German army in 1942 to 1945 with 80mm of armor and a long 75mm like the panther it was like a mini tiger cause Sherman’s had a hard time killing it at distance
Can someone please please please do a T-34/76 on the inside. It's almost like the T-34/76 is illegal to show on RU-vid. 100 videos showing T-34/85. But absolutely nothing on the T-34/76. If I had access to one I would do it myself. Please!!!! EDIT: PS. This kicked ass.
The next time I go to a museum open to the public I’ll be sure to have the docent kick out the public. Since you found my presentation lacking, what would you recommend I do in future videos?
