SMART KIT PANTHER G REVIEW

An initial look at the new Smart Kit Panther G

In a surprise move, Dragon has introduced a new series of kits that has been dubbed "Smart Kits". "So, what is a Smart Kit?" modelers may ask. "And is it the same as a Premium Edition kit?" they murmur when they see one in their model shop. The leaflet enclosed in the box containing the first Smart Kit release, a Late Production variant of the Panther Ausf.G, explains the philosophy behind this new sub-series. To put it in a nutshell, the kit is designed to make modeling easier. Now this doesn't mean that the kit is oversimplified or turned into a toy - far from it! Indeed the kit box is crammed full with around 15 sprues, 2 PE frets, 2 metal tow cables, Magic Tracks, and clear periscopes. This review is a brief first look at this 1/35 scale Smart Kit.

The difference with Smart Kits, according to Dragon, is that extra engineering design has been invested in this kit, so that the model is more straightforward to build. This is probably a good move, because there are hundreds of modelers out there who simply want to make an accurate model in quick time right out of the box! An initial look at parts shows them to be very accurate dimensionally. With Dragon's recent experience in "slide molds", it's not surprising to see fine parts bursting with detail (e.g. a four-part Bosch headlight, or a multi-part hull MG).

The Panther G is a logical follow-on step from the releases of the Ausf. D and Ausf. A variants in recent years. This particular project was supervised by Hirohisa Takada, with technical assistance given by Steven Van Beveren. Totally new parts are supplied for items such as the redesigned hull, and there are seventeen steps listed in the instruction sheet. This fact alone should settle any fears that this kit is oversimplified. However, in an effort to reduce the complexity and lower costs, parts such as metal barrels are not included. This is not much of a sacrifice since a slide-molded barrel is still a perfect substitute. There are options available such as a choice of mantlets (chinned and non-chinned), and one little feature that catches the eye are the marks 'painted' onto the plastic turret sides so that the camouflage loops can be added in the correct places. The suspension arms can be positioned in different positions, which will be pleasing to diorama builders.

The instruction sheet with traditional exploded views suggests three different marking/paint schemes, all from 1945. One is the 11th Panzer Division in Bavaria, an unidentified unit in Balaton (wherever that is!), and another on the Eastern Front. Full build reviews will doubtlessly appear soon from other reviewers, but suffice to say that the catchphrase for Smart Kits is, "Are you working hard or working smart?" Time will tell whether modelers do indeed think Smart Kits are smart!

- Gordon Arthur