" ... extra engineering design has been invested in this kit, so that the model is more straightforward to build ..."

< full review here >
- Gordon Arthur

DR6268: Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther G, (Late Production)
1/35 injection plastic kit with photo etch grills, metal tow cables and decals

Designed to regain the combat advantage for Germany's Panzertruppen on the Eastern Front, the Panther was for its time arguably the most technically advanced tanks in service. The Panther Ausf G late was the final version to enter mass production and featured a number of improvements that either enhanced combat performance or simplified production. These features included the addition of a chin to the gun’s mantlet, raised tower with ducting to provide heating to the crew compartment and flame suppressing exhaust pipes to make it harder for enemy troops to locate the tank at night.

This Panther is the first release in Dragon’s new Smart Kit series. It features extensive use of refined molding techniques such as slide molding to produce crisp detailed parts and in doing so reduce the use of photo etch to provide finesse. This approach means an impressive kit can be built out of the box by most modelers using standard construction techniques. However the crisp detail, accuracy and inclusion of optional detail, such as the radiator fans, means the kit also provides the best basis for building a super detailed Panther Ausf G currently available in 1/35 scale. Hence this kit appeals to a broad range of modelers.

CONTENTS

This kit features new tooling for all parts and does not contain any parts from earlier Panther Ausf G or Ausf A releases. Apart from the new injection plastic parts, there are clear vision blocks, 13 photo etch parts of which 6 are the mesh grills, and twisted metal tow cables. The kit compares favorably to reputable scale drawings both in terms of dimensions and the position of small fittings.

The gatefold instructions have 17 steps of line drawings that are well laid out and identify where there is a choice of optional parts. As this is a late production Ausf G, there is no need to apply zimmerit.

TURRET

The newly tooled turret has numerous features including a toothed turret ring, improved weld marks and interior detail for the commander' cupola which includes clear plastic vision blocks. The commander hatch and the rear hatch, which has interior hinge detail, can both be positioned open or closed. The turret roof features detailed pilzen (sockets for securing a small crane) with weld marks and drain holes and also has a choice of fan vent covers. Other roof detail includes the lifting hooks, grab handles, and the loader’s periscope with cover. The slide-molded close-defense weapon (Nahverteidigungswaffe) can be modelled either open or closed. For the commander’s machine gun mounting there is the choice of the earlier cupola ring mount (dropped January 45) or the simpler post, which was introduced in March 1945. The MG34 is not included but is spare in some recent Dragon kits and when an MG mounted was fitted, the MG was often positioned inside the turret coaxial to the 75mm gun.

Both the earlier style mantlet (like on the Ausf A) the late ‘chin’ mantlet, which was introduced from October 1944 are included. Given the early style mantlet was often seen fitted to tanks made in late 1944, having a choice of both mantlets is important. Both mantlets feature casting marks as per photos and each features separate parts for the lifting lugs and has mounting pad for the infrared night fighting equipment (not included).

The 75mm KwK is only provided as a one-piece injection plastic tube, which requires minimal cleanup to remove the seam line, along with a separate three part slide molded muzzle break. The break is designed such that it would be easy to fit it to an aftermarket barrel. Inside the turret, parts are provided for the key parts of the gun’s breech.

One interesting innovation in keeping with the Smart Kit concept is that the location marks for the camouflage loop have been printed onto the turret shell. Hence if the Panther is built as a pre March 1945 model, the location marks do not need to be sanded off, saving you time.

HULL

The newly tooled hull, shares the same improvements as seen in Dragon’s recent premium edition Panther Ausf D, where the suspension arms are now separate parts, allowing modelers flexibility in positioning the Panther in dioramas. The idlers swing-arms are also now separate, a feature which will please some modelers when fixing the tracks, as by leaving it loose, the idler can be adjusted to get the ‘right’ track sag.

This hull is the most comprehensive I have seen on a Panther. Features include a pair of engine radiators which sit underneath the four rectangular grills, the option of open or closed slide louvers for the rectangular air intakes and the pie slice covers for the raised crew compartment heater. The flame suppressing exhaust pipes have optional hoods and two types of the lower armoured exhaust guards (cast or welded) are offered.

For the engine deck two hatches are provided, the earlier one with hex bolts in all recessed holes and the later one where 18 of the holes have plugs, an economy measure introduced in January 1945 to save scarce bolts. Both hatches have interior detail and can be positioned open, although you will need to supply your own engine (several are available). Both the driver's and radio operator's hatches have interior details and support arms and the hull MG34 is included along with its internal detail such as the butt and spent shell case. There is an optional MB ball mount plug.

The tools have the brackets and clamps cast on for ease of assembly and the newly tooled jack is built from seven parts plus separate parts for the support bracket. The slide-molded barrel travel lock is crisply detailed and has the option of being positioned either in travel or in action. The rear storage boxes are slide-molded.

The rear idler wheel is correctly the later self cleaning type and the there is the option of having all dished wheels or having a steel wheel fitted on the rear station as was seen on a number of Panther built by M.A.N in March and April 1945. The road wheels are all crisply detailed and the separate torsion suspension arms extend the full width of the hull interior. For the track returns located near the drive sprocket there is the choice of a roller or fixed guide, if the roller is used in step 2 parts G4 and G5 should be used for the drive housing (use G8 and G9 with fixed guides G23 and G26).

Two lengths of twisted wire with plastic end eyes are provided for the tow cable and the thinner cable that was used for changing tracks. No side skirts (shurzen) are included, which, while a change from Dragon’s Panther Ausf A, is consistent with the fact side skirts were often missing in photos of relatively new late production Panther Ausf G. Numerous firms sell aftermarket photo etch shurzen and it can be easily scratch built using plastic card.

TRACKS

In keeping with recent Dragon releases of larger panzers, the tracks are newly tooled ‘Magic Tracks”. These come loose and have open guide horns, and chevrons on the outer face. With the slight injection marks hidden between the guide horns these links can be assembled quickly without clean up. Most of the links are one piece with the open guide horns cast onto link making for quick assembly. Several links, which have separate guide horns are for fitting around the drive sprockets where their slightly larger and contoured holes will better fit the sprocket’s teeth. With the open guide horns and the benefits of the magic track not needing clean up, these tracks are better than some aftermarket Panther links that I have used.

DECALS

Two new decal sheet by Cartograf have markings for three late war Panthers. The painting guide illustrates each of these tanks with three views while colour side profiles are on the box. The Panthers are turret number white “421” from Panzer Regiment 15 of 11th Panzer Division, Bavaria 1945; black “435” from the major tank battles in Hungary near Lake Balaton in 1945; and black “121” from an unidentified unit on the Eastern front in 1945.

RECOMMENDATION

The kit really impressed me with its crisp detail, and inclusion of numerous features overlooked on other models of the Panther. For those wanting an out of the box kit, this kit will deliver an impressive result for a reasonable outlay and, with no need to buy any extras at all. For those modelers wishing to add further detail this kit offers an excellent basis, flexibility and in particularly some very accurate tracks. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord

" ...certainly what's in the box represents the most accurate Ausf.G kit available to date."

< full review here >
- Frank De Sisto

"... this kit is easy to build......and as such will 'hook' many of the younger modeller's to armour modeling. It's accurate too!"

< full review here >
- Vinnie Branigan

"...this would have to be in my top three choices for a "Kit of the Year." Honest!"

< full review here >
- Cookie Sewell