| Date of Review |
July 2006 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
Sd.Kfz.171 Panther Ausf.G Late Production - Smart Kit |
| Scale |
1/35 |
| Kit Number |
6268 |
| Primary Media |
714 parts (515 in grey styrene, 170 "Magic
Link" tracks, 14 clear styrene, 13 etched brass, 2 twisted
steel wires) |
| Pros |
Near totally new molding of a popular subject; "multimedia" kit
results with a minimum of multimedia parts (15) in the kit;
ease of assembly placed above all else |
| Cons |
Large number and variants of Panther kits
offered by DML and on the market has caused some disappointment
and confusion |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$45.00 |
No sooner did DML release a "Premium Edition" of their
older but still very good Panther Ausf.D than they follow it up
with one of their "mystery kits" – a brand-new
ground up version of the popular Panther Ausf.G. This kit is virtually
new, with only a couple of minor sprues shared with the recent
Ausf.D kit (the K sprues - tools and OVM - and the J sprue – the
MG-34 bow machine gun.) It also comes with the same track arrangement
as the Ausf.D – eight "wrap around" separate links
with separate guide teeth for the drive wheels and the same "Magic
Track" links that snap together for assembly.
The rest of the kit is absolutely astounding from a technical
point of view. It makes more use of "slide molding" than
any previous DML kit, and the goal seems to be to permit modelers
to get "multimedia" kit finish and part definition with
a minimum of actual multimedia parts – here being only 13
etched brass parts, mostly grilles for the engine deck, and two
steel tow cables (large and small).
The lower hull is a one-piece "slide mold" part with
all of the torsion bars complete and separate parts (the D had
them as just the arm ends, not the entire bar.) Fine details such
as "bump stops", "pin knockers" and braces
are all separate. The kit provides the rubber tired road wheels,
but for a change of pace it also has two sets of "steel" road
wheels for the last road wheel station on each side as an option.
The model may be built with or without the small return roller
wheel on the final drives, and both types are provided in the kit.
The hull rear plate comes with the late production "flame
damper" exhaust pipes, which also have an optional two-piece
hood for them (there are some things even DML hasn't figured out
in molding techniques yet, and going around corners is one of them – can't
change the laws of physics!)
On the hull top braces, locks and handles are provided for the "flip
up" style of crew hatches. The engine deck is very complete,
with radiators, radiator fans, screens, louvers and a large number
of separate access ports and lids provided. All grilles replicate
full castings and are separate parts as well. No engine or interior
are provided with the kit, but the interior is set up for relatively
easy installation so the after-market boys are going to be racing
to see who gets their interior done first!
The hull side trim is all plastic, but comes with "slide
molded" mounts and access holes for pins or attachment in
order to permit track links to be hung in a prototypical fashion
on their racks. The same goes for the tools and OVM.
The turret comes with either the early (rounded) or late ("chin")
mantelet with a one-piece plastic barrel and a three piece muzzle
brake. The gun does have a minimal breech assembly but no other
interior parts are provided except for the self-defense weapon
(mine thrower) in the turret roof. The commander's cupola comes
with clear vision blocks and two interior sections that fit inside
the "slide molded" cupola to give it the right thickness.
Three finishing options are provided – 11th Panzer Division,
Bavaria 1945 (two color scheme); unidentified, Lake Balaton, Hungary
1945 (three-color scheme); and unidentified unit on the Eastern
Front, 1945 in a two-color scheme. Two decal sheets are provided
with different size numbers, but no explanation is given as to
which is which or why two sheets.
Overall, given the choice of subject and level of detail achieved,
I would have to say that as much as I personally do not care for
the Panther this would have to be in my top three choices for a "Kit
of the Year." Honest!
Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.
Kit 6268 Sprue Listing:
- A 52x2 Engine deck details and fine details
- 3 Hull and engine hatches
- B 55 Turret
- C 55 Hull details and sponsons
- D 27 Radiators and hull rear details
- E 47x4 Road wheels, torsion bars, individual "wrap" track
links, wing nuts
- F 4 Mantelets
- G 37 Drivers, final drives, steel wheel sets
- H 1 Commander's cupola
- J 8 MG-34 bow gun
- K 30 Tools and OVM
- L 14 clear styrene
- N 2 Idler bases
- R 1 twisted steel wire
- S 1 twisted steel wire
- X 1 Lower hull
- Y 170 "Magic Track" links
- MA 7 Etched brass
- MB 6 Etched brass
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