7252, Sd.Kfz.171 Panther G Early Production w/Zimmerit. 1/72nd-scale injection molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 151 styrene parts, two DS-100 track lengths, 20 photo-etched brass parts, one piece of braided metal wire, four decal marking schemes and four pages of instructions in four steps.

DML continues to add to their line of small-scale kits, sometimes re-releasing previous items, but with some new features or changes to parts layout. In this case, the so-called "Early Production" Panther Ausf.G has been kitted, this time with Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste molded on to the appropriate components.

The kit has many extra parts included for either a later Ausf.G or for a Jagdpanther, so the modeler who wishes to be "correct" in the parts combinations for this particular type will do well to heed the instructions where parts "not for use" have been shaded in blue as a warning. These would include (aside from Jagdpanther-specific parts) such items as the higher fan tower for the engine deck, "chin"-type gun mantle, flame-dampening exhaust pipes and larger self-cleaning idler wheel.

The main components such as the superstructure, lower glacis plate, hull rear plate, gun mantle, turret, turret rear plate and ball-mounted MG all have a rather well-done Zimmerit rendition. This is in one of the earlier styles with vertical strokes bordered by long horizontal lines. It is quite a fine representation of the less-than-perfect way in which this paste was applied and will reward careful painting. There is also the added bonus of the modeler not having to do it himself, which, especially in this small scale, would be quite a chore, especially for the "Zimmerit-phobes" amongst us.

The main components fit quite well although the parts look a bit rough when seen on the sprues. Properly cleaned, they are very crisp and in most cases very nicely detailed. The 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 gun tube is molded with a pre-drilled bore using a slide mold, which will save some work for the modeler. All periscope guards are molded opened up for a better appearance. The engine deck access hatch lid is separate and there is a two-part insert to go beneath it that provides a basic engine block as well as fan blades and louvers. The openings are topped by etched-brass screens over the grills. Other etched-bras parts include the racks for the superstructure side spare track links as well as a gun mantle rain guard; the latter was not fitted to this version of the Panther "as built". Finally, there are very tiny lifting hooks for the engine deck; be patient with these as they will be easy to lose (DML gives more than are needed for a Panther). Along with completely styrene parts, there are also separate cable ends to which are mounted the included braided metal wire; this will look much better.

There are a number of design choices made with this kit that some may find to be less than desirable. For instance, the tool clusters are all molded as a single part, along with their racks; this will not be helpful to those who wish to detail the clamps and brackets, etc. The lift rings on the turret roof are molded in place and should be replaced with bent rod. Likewise all grab handles are molded in place and need to be replaced by fine wire for a better appearance. The turret rear plate depicts the molded-in-place escape hatch as being countersunk below the surface of the plate when it should actually be above the surface; this is going to be tough to fix without destroying the Zimmerit pattern. Perhaps the modeler can work with the extra part without Zimmerit (provided) instead, adding the pattern when finished with the correction. The Schurzen are rather one-piece thick styrene parts and the mounting rail for them (molded onto the main superstructure part) appears to be too wide. Another oddity is the appearance of the Gepakkasten (stowage bins) on the hull rear plate; they simply "look odd", since they are molded integral with the plate and covered in Zimmeritt. It would have been better if they were separate parts.

The instructions are clearly-rendered using the less-popular photographic style. However, this is not an overly complex build, so they are more than adequate. The water-slide decals are from Cartograf in Italy and are, as usual crisply printed. They provide for four different schemes: two SS Panthers in Normandy (1.SS-PD & 12.SS-PD) and tow others on the Ostfront (19.PD and Hermann Goring). References, where I can find them, confirm their accuracy.

In conclusion, while there are more than a few things about this kit that are less-than-optimum, a modeler with a fair level of skills should be able to tweak it into a presentable replica.

- Frank De Sisto