What is the cosmetic differences between the Panzer IV F2 and the Panzer IVG, H, and J? Is there any that are noticeable? Thanks, Greg
The F2 and G are exactly the same. The F2 started with 50mm of armor, but had 30mm added before the entire series was reclassified as the G model. The G is exactly the same except that all G models have the extra 30mm plate on the front while not all F2 had it. The H model and later all had single piece 80mm plates. The F2 was the first with the L/43 75mm gun, while the H and later had the L/48 gun. The J didnt have power turret, had pistol ports removed, and had more fuel. It also had a Panzer III transmission. It also did not have the side plates, it had wire mesh.
The biggest change is in the J. The small donkey engine that operated the turret power traverse was removed and the J had a hand traverse turret only. You can see this by the lack of the small muffler on the left rear of the vehicle. Other changes: The H and J lack a folding radio aerial on the right hull side and the trough that the F2 and G have to store it is gone. The late H and J also have all steel return rollers on the suspension (the little rollers that support the track on top) On mid to late production H and all J's the radio antenna is moved from the mid-right side to the left rear of the vehicle. Late model J's use a cast return roller versus the earlier welded tube model on the G and H. The F2 still has two cast covers on the turret face, one to each side of the gun mantle. From the G on there is just one to the right of the gun (looking at the turret from ahead of the tank) for the gunner's sight. Some F2 and G still have three smoke dischargers on each side of the turret. These are eliminated on the H and J model.
According to Zaloga the changes to the F2/G production line didn't match with the designation change. It was officially called F2 only before 5 June 1942, so limited to the 18 completed in March, 104 in April and 56 in May, after that date all long gunned PzIV were called G. Also according to Zaloga minor mods to production were: (dates are initial, there was a transition period, for exaple, tank 83073 assembled by Vomag in September, and brougth to England for examination, still had all vision ports). April 1942: Vision ports on turret side dropped May 1942: Additional 30mm plate welded to the 50mm front. June 1942: Rack for two spare roadweels added to left mudguard. September 1942: Notek light replaced by "Bosh headlight". November 1942: Antenna deflector under gun added February 1943: Smoke candles added to turret side (short lived as they proved vulnerable to small arms fire), new cupola with single hatch, driver periscopes dropped. March 1943: Signals port on turret roof removed. April 1943: First L/48 guns and redesigned muzzle brake (L/48 on the G!!!), additional 30mm plate was bolted not soldered. Shurtzen added. May 1943: New cylindrical filter on right rear track guard. And then we get to the H (chassis 84400 to 89540) - New final drive (but the first 30 Vomag assembled H models had the old ones due to production delays). - Turret roof increased to 16mm from 10 - Turret rear plate increased to 25mm But the mods continued .... June 1943: Single 80mm plate instead of 50+30 September 1943: Zimmerit paste October 1943: Steel return rollers, cast idler weels instead of soldered December 1943: the fixing of the 80mm front plate was changed by interlocking it into the side plates that had slits. and so on ... So if you are thinking of one particular tank there are lots of details to look at
