Small Scale Military Headquarters

Hi!
Yesterday I've recieved a Panzer IV from an UK Ebayer - and I love it! It's the version with brown camo and side skirts (Kettenschürzen). I've read several times on Boards and Ebay, that this tank is a European Exclusive. Ones I've even read that its a german Exclusive, which is funny because I'm a kraut and I've never seen this item on german ebay or any german store. Could someone please tell me what the background story of this Panzer IV is? Why is this version only available in europe?

PS: I think its a great tank and it makes me want more german tanks (esspecially) a King Tiger (Königstiger)). What I don't like is that the turret(?) is not removable and I can't bring the main gun in firing position when the side skirts are clipped on.

Yes it was a European exclusive. Not just limited to Germany. There seem to be a bunch of sellers in the UK dumping them on Ebay these days, so it may not have sold well in Europe.

I would not be suprised if this exclusive Tank wasn't a cash cow for 21st. It's not that this tank is a bad toy, but simply nobody knows the XD Toys in Europe. There are only a few people who collect these. I wonder what made 21stCT think Europe would be a good market for an exclusive tank?

Well as i got one last year & got it from Germany (via fellow board member),I know of only ONE UK store that sold it & expensively too.Add that they sold out rather quickly too.

So either buyers bought bulk from this store or these have been sat on & kept quiet even here in the UK.

Either way you cannot complain with the price these ebay sellers are flogging them at,considering you get the occassional US ebayer trying to sell for well over $100 still.

Best thing though these Euros are all plastic so custominging into STUGs/SPVs will be easier & transfere the skirting to the other versions.

Ja
Steel Bonnet

Thanks for that info, steelbonnet! No, I really can't complain about that price. I've paid 19.99 Pounds for it (30 with shipping). And I think its a great tank! I'm not so sure about the paint scheme, but I think this version is, with side skirts, the best I've ever seen. It makes me want mooore!
The only tank I'm still looking for is now the M 113, which I can't find in any online store and not in Evil Bay.
I hope this Panzer IV was not sooo unsuccesful, because I'd love to see more armor from XD.

MandaloreSC, FYI there was a European exclusive FW190 think it was know as Black 14

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Heck my wallyworld still has two m113's but the box's are beat to you know what.Plus they want twenty bucks for them go figure.

kimtheredxd wrote:Heck my wallyworld still has two m113's but the box's are beat to you know what.Plus they want twenty bucks for them go figure.

Sounds cool! Which color? Could you pick them up for me? (if you have a paypal account).

MandaloreSC wrote:PS: I think its a great tank and it makes me want more german tanks (esspecially) a King Tiger (Königstiger)). What I don't like is that the turret(?) is not removable and I can't bring the main gun in firing position when the side skirts are clipped on.

Glad to see German fans of the XD German armor! Should you want to pay the shipping fees from an ebayer or a US small retailer, you will certainly want to get a hold of the XD Tiger tank, Panther, and Sdk251 Hannomag. The Tiger has a full interior and opening engine and should be easy to find on ebay or with the small retailers. The Wal Mart version was even diecast! You should also be able to easily find the Hannomag. The earlier examples come with a figure and alot of accessories. The Panthers are a little harder to find and may cost more. There is one in a winter scheme that some small retailers still have and a couple others in ambush and normandy cammo, but again they can be hard to find. The Panther is like the Panzer IV in that it doesn't have an interior, but it still looks great! Good luck in your hunting.

@tmanthegreat: Thanks very much for the warm welcome! But I'm a XD fan since I've bought some XD items on a trip to New York (that was about 5 years ago). I'm not a beginner. I collect the figures and the armor, but not the planes. The M 113 is the only tank I still need for my collection (and a few figures). Right now I own 3 Tigers, 1 Panther, 1 Panzer IV, 2 Shermans, 1 US Halftrack, 3 Hanomags, 2 M 48, 1 Walker Bulldog etc. - you see, I'm not exactly a beginner.
But thanks very much for saying hello to me. I enjoy the board communication very much!

@kimtheredxd: I understood your posting as an offer, but if you don't like to pick up those M 113s for me - it's okay. I would understand that. You don't know me, I don't know you. Just let me know.

Glad to see you're not a beginner and sounds like you've got a good armor collection going! You need to get a Sherman or two in there, if you haven't done so already

The M-113 is actually a nice vehicle. It came with some cruddy figures and baggage, but the vehicle itself is well done with a full interior and opening engine and hatches. It has proven to be a wonderful base for customizing. There's also an RC version of the M-113 (and also of the Panzer IV) out now and those are alot of fun as well