Panzer IV Ausf. J Sd.Kfz. 161
The Panzerkampfwagen IV (Sd.Kfz. 161) was the backbone of Germany's armoured forces — the only tank to remain in both production and combat from the start to the end of the Second World War. Designed by Krupp in 1936 as an infantry support vehicle with a short 7.5 cm gun, it evolved into the Wehrmacht's principal battle tank. When the short barrel proved powerless against the Soviet T-34, it received a long 7.5 cm gun from 1942 that turned the tables. With over 8,500 built across ten variants (Ausf. A to J), it was the most-produced German tank. Its chassis also served as the basis for numerous other vehicles, from the StuG IV to the Wirbelwind anti-aircraft tank. The restoration of this vehicle was completed on 1 May 2026: a new old kid on the block!
