6299, Sd.Kfz.171 Panther D Premium Edition. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing: 489 styrene parts (including 15 clear), one bag of "Magic Track", one (large!) photo-etched brass fret, four stamped/etched brass parts, one turned aluminum and eight turned brass parts, 16 metal parts, one length of brass chain, seven water-slide decal/marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 26 steps.

Introduction.

Visually, the Panther series of medium tanks has got to be one of the sleekest designs ever to see service. Germany's answer to the Soviet T-34 was a very well-balanced design, which after the initial "bugs" were worked out, saw reliable service against the Red Army as well as the Western Allies, from mid-1943 to the final days in Berlin. DML had originally released new-tool kits of the early Panthers (Ausf.D and two different Ausf.As) just a few short years ago; they were very accurate, well-designed products that saw wide acceptance by modelers. Not content to rest on their laurels, DML has done a re-design of several major components and has included multi-media parts to create a "Premium Edition" of what was an already fine kit.

Tracks.

In the case of this kit, there is no better place to start than with the tracks. They are the so-called "Magic Track" that consists of individual links that press-fit together. They are packed in a small bag and require virtually no clean-up of mold attachment stems. They do have knock-out pin marks, but they are extremely subtle and are placed only between the pair of guide teeth on each link; they are all but invisible after assembly and placement. The tracks are of the earlier pattern without the small ice grips on the face of the links.

So far, just what you'd expect, right? Well, it's time to heighten your expectations! DML's designers have gone to the trouble to design tracks where the molded-on guide teeth not only have proper (and tiny) rib details on their outer surfaces, BUT they have also been hollowed-out. This is what I'd call "revolutionary", were I subject to hyperbole. As a modeler I'll simply say, "Cool!" There are also two smaller sprues that have a total of 16 links with separate and properly detailed guide teeth. The box-top CAD renderings say they are specifically for the drive sprockets, while the instructions also direct the modeler to use them at that location. Apparently they have enhanced details that will be more visible when they are wrapped around the drive sprockets; for the life of me, I could not tell the difference.

Suspension System.

The original kits in this series had the torsion-bar swing-arms molded onto the lower side plate of the hull molding. On this Premium Edition kit, the newly-tooled swing-arms are now separate parts and depict the three different types that were used at various locations; the idler wheel swing-arm is also separate, which will make fitting the individual-link tracks much easier. Do not glue the idler wheel swing-arm into position until you are satisfied with the "sag" of the track. This technique will prevent the potential problem of the assembled track runs being a link too short or too long. There are other separate detail parts for the suspension system that are fitted to the hull side plates, including bump-stops and cast final drive housings; the latter include the small return roller that mounted aft of the drive sprocket.

The drive sprockets feature two styles of hub-cap, while the idler wheels are in four parts including separate outer rims for maximum detail. The road-wheels all feature 16 rim-bolts as seen on the earliest Panthers. The outer-most road-wheels feature manufacturer's details on the tires, and also have the subtle rim detail seen here.

Hull.

In order to accept the new separate torsion-bar swing-arms, the hull pan has been re-tooled with new openings, as well as plate details, which correspond to the torsion-bars on the opposite side. Other bolt detail is included as well. At the front end there are separate plates that allow for complete detail on both sides of the final drive housings. New metal "U"-shaped tow clevises (with separate, well-detailed styrene attachment bars) are also given as are the original all-styrene versions. The lower bow plate has excellently-rendered interlocks and weld beads, while the belly plate is of the type that came in two sections, with the front being 30mm-thick and the remainder being 16mm-thick. All drain plugs and access plates are provided and are in their proper locations and configurations. The sponson plates are separate parts and contain the front fender/mud-flap units.

The hull rear plate has fine access lid details, a separate round engine access plate and multi-part exhaust pipes (the early single-pipe design with cast, rounded armor guards and pre-opened pipe ends) that include the option to use styrene or etched brass mounting braces. The two large Gepackkasten (baggage bins) have separate lids in either styrene or etched brass; they include the upper hanging brackets but not the lower curved plates. The final items are a multi-part vehicle jack with etched brass or styrene mounting brackets, and metal "U"-shaped tow clevises (with separate, well-detailed styrene attachment bars), which are also given in all-styrene versions.

Superstructure.

Since this kit was also designed to be used to replicate the two main versions of the Panther Ausf.A, the upper glacis plate is a separate panel; it features restrained rolled-plate texture, joint interlocks and fine weld bead detail. For this version, it features two openings; one is the so-called "letter-box" flap for the radio operator's MG34 (in two different styles), the other is the visor for the driver's vision port. The latter has internal hinge detail, but curiously, no clear part for the glass block; clear parts are provided elsewhere in this kit. A newly-introduced MG34 from the "Gen2" figure sets is included for the RO's MG flap, along with a pair of ammunition sacks; the MG34 has a pre-opened bore and excellent cooling-jacket detail as well as a separate receiver cover. However, the ammunition sack has no attachment point to the MG and I am unsure how the entire weapon was held in place in the port. A single Bosch head-lamp is shown installed; two are provided and I believe that both should be used, depending on the specific vehicle modeled. Another nice touch is the two (different sizes) turned brass width indicator rods seen at the mud-flap edges on some Panzers.

The superstructure side plates, where they attach to the roof plate feature the "staggered" style of welding and have fine interlocks and weld bead detail. Separate lower plates for the fuel tanks are given; they also have proper interlock and weld bead detail. Racks for the tools are separate parts and there are two sets of tools; one set has clamps molded on, the other set is bare of them so that the supplied etched brass clamps can be added. There are two different gun tube bore swab/spare antenna canisters and a choice of etched brass or styrene spare track racks, with the links taken from the bag of Magic Tracks. Two styles of jack blocks along with etched brass retainer chains and cotter pins complete the OVM set. Curiously absent, especially since they are provided in all new and/or Premium Edition kits from this manufacturer, is wound metal wire with styrene end loops for the tow cables and track changing cable.

Exquisite Schurzen plates are provided in what I believe is aluminum sheet; they are of the proper style and have the correct openings in them. They are hung on separate styrene brackets and will look absolutely great when installed. Note the sequence in which they are hung in the last assembly step, which is correct; the rear-most plate goes on first, followed by the next one which overlaps the first plate, etc.

The roof plate has detailed welds, turret ring race, attached transmission access plate and separate crew hatch lids, with separate hold-open latches, inner lid details and grab-handles. The periscope head armored guards are separate and are complimented by new clear styrene 'scope heads, while the two-position external gun tube travel lock has etched brass details. The engine deck features separate main access hatch lid, two styles of cast fan covers (straight arms and spiral arms), three options for the circular air vent (standard type in styrene or etched brass, and the cover associated with the snorkel tube) and separate lifting hooks. A nicely-done antenna base is molded in place, but there is no antenna rod, nor is the modeler instructed to create one using stretched sprue or styrene or brass rod.

Turret.

The turret has some nice features and several options. The individual MP-Stopfen (pistol ports with armored plugs) are separate parts and come in the plain version, or the type with rain gutters welded onto the turret wall above them. The communications hatch (NOT a loader's shell ejection port; he was on the opposite side!) on the turret wall below the commander's cupola also comes with or without the rain gutters. The rear plate has the gutter in place over the escape hatch lid; it can be removed if needed to represent a particular vehicle. The hatch lid is also movable. The final option is the ability to have the MP-Stopfen "un-plugged" and hanging from their fine keeper chains. These are nicely done, but there is no provision for connecting them to the inside of the turret (at least not that I could find in the instructions); a piece of scrap styrene and super glue will do the trick.

The turret roof has separate grab handles, lifting hooks, vent cover plate (with armored splash guard) and commander's cupola. The cupola is conventionally-molded in several segments to allow for the view slits to be opened; this means that some careful cleaning of the mating surfaces prior to assembly as well as some sanding and blending will be needed to make the seam that runs adjacent to the slits disappear. The interior gets a new clear styrene insert to represent the glass blocks, and the hatch lid is a separate part with very fine and accurate details; a separate Fuhrungsring fur MG (ring for machine gun) is provided for the rim, as is the Fliegerbeschusgerat (anti-aircraft mount for an MG34), but they are marked as "not for use". There are options for all-styrene Nebelwurfgerat (smoke candle dischargers) or a set made from stamped/etched and turned brass parts. The gun mantlet, as well as the two extensions for the turret sides that go behind it, are nicely-textured for a cast effect; the mantlet face has two holes for the binocular gunner's sight as well as a rain gutter. These can be modified to remove the gutter or to depict a monocular sight, if the modeler desires to do so. There is an option of a conventionally-molded all-styrene 7.5cm KwK or a styrene and turned aluminum gun tube. The latter features a three-part slide-molded styrene muzzle brake; it matches drawings in Panzer Tracts 5-1 very precisely and includes the subtle change in taper seen towards the rear; well done DML!

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Overall, I found no problems with the fit of any major or minor components. Of course since this kit is the basis for several others, there are many more separate parts than is usual, so the modeler is urged to clean them and check the fit as he proceeds with assembly. No sink marks were found and in every case except for the above-mentioned individual link tracks, there were no visible ejector pin marks. There are as mentioned before, some very interesting engineering solutions used in this kit, so I would rate this segment of the review very highly.

Accuracy.

There is no lack of current reference material on the Panther, foremost among them being the four-volume series from the Panzer Tracts team, backed up by their classic work for Schiffer (see listing below). After removing many of the major components from the sprues, I began laying them on the various sets of drawings in the Panzer Tracts book (No.5-1). Almost without exception, they fit flawlessly. So, given that these drawings are widely considered to be the "gold standard" for this tank, I believe I can safely conclude that the overall accuracy level of this kit is superior, perhaps even flawless. I found one slight mismatch and that was the details on the tube to store the bore swabs and spare antenna rods; but it was minor enough to be safely ignored, and if the separate etched brass enhancement parts are properly positioned, this "problem" goes away. Other things to consider are the following:

" The belly plate is in one of three possible configurations and is the later type, so may not be appropriate for some of the other parts combinations or markings. For the modeler with AMS (Advanced Modeler Syndrome) this may be an issue; it would be far wiser to simply ignore it (out of sight, out of mind!) and have fun with the kit.

" The rim-bolt pattern of the road-wheels (which of course will be visible) may also not be appropriate for some markings schemes. If planning to model a specific Panther, references will be essential.

Instructions.

These are in the less-popular photographic style and are complimented by small boxes that contain line drawings. Although they may take some "getting used to", I have found them easily understood. However, they do not completely address the amount of options within the box, so references will be very helpful when modeling a particular Panther.

Decals and Markings Information.

DML's usual sub-contractor, Italy's Cartograf, has provided water-slide decal markings for a total of six Panthers, while there is painting information for a seventh. The decals are in excellent register, have sharp detail and fine color saturation. Colors are keyed to Gunze and Testors paints. Most schemes feature Panther Ausf.Ds that fought at Kursk in 1943, or shortly thereafter; they include:

- Black/white 433, 4.Kp./Pz.Abt.51, Pz.Rgt.39, Kursk 1943.
- Black/white 745, 7.Kp./Pz.Abt.52, Pz.Rgt.39, Kursk 1943.
- Red R04, Pz.Rgt.39, Kursk 1943.
- Pz.Abt.52, Pz.Rgt.39, Germany 1943 (un-marked).
- Black 445, 4.Kp./Pz.Rgt.Grosdeutschland, Karachev 1943.
- Black 124, 1.Kp./Pz.Rgt.Grosdeutschland, Karachev 1943.
- Black/white 425,1.Kp./Pz.Rgt.24, France 1944.

All are finished in a base color of Dunkelgelb, and except for one that remains in a monotone scheme, are over-painted in various camouflage patterns using one or both of the secondary colors, Olivgrun or Rotbraun. Several have variations of "panther's heads" or full bodies as unit insignia. For the most part the schemes check out as accurate against references; the only glitches I could discover was that black/white 425, from "1.Kompanie" of Panzer-Regiment 24, should probably be "I.Abteilung", and that the Panther was, according to the Tac number, from 4.Kompanie. This Panther should also have field-applied Zimmerit (on the Schurzen, too) and is festooned with more than the usual amount of spare track links on the superstructure sides, as well as the turret; it also carries a spare road-wheel aft, as well as a Balkenkreuz just forward of the tool stowage. This illustrates why the modeler should check to see which specific features are present on the Panther of choice, prior to beginning his build.

What's spooky here gang, is how I remembered which book had "425" in it! FYI, it's the very old Aero/Spielberger-Feist book listed last in the references section (it's been around since 1968). Apparently I did not destroy enough brain cells in my misspent youth…

Conclusion.

OK, so it is another German subject; it's yet another Panther. No, it's not something totally new like a US half-track (I have sacrificed many a chicken, in the way of the ancient Romans, to get the Gods on our side for THAT one…). But what's in the box probably represents the most accurate, full-featured, value-for-money Panther kit on the market today. Nothing's wrong with that, n'est-ce pas?

Highly recommended.

- Frank De Sisto