DRAGON MODELS LIMITED
Product Specifications.
6428, Sd.Kfz.171 Panther D w/Zimmerit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 410 styrene parts (including 17 clear), two lengths of DS100 tracks, one turned aluminum gun tube, two turned brass parts, four metal parts, 12 pieces of stamped aluminum sheet, one photo-etched brass fret, two water-slide decal markings schemes and eight pages of instructions in 25 steps.
This angled side view shows the main components fitted in place, to include the Schürzen plates that are provided in aluminum sheet; they have been dry-fitted to their styrene hangers.
Introduction.
Based on the improved Premium Edition Panther Ausf.D, DML has just released another kit with Zimmerit molded in-situ.
Towards the end of wartime production of the Panther Ausf.D, these mittlerer Panzer, like many other German AFVs of the time, were coated with a concrete-like substance called Zimmerit. This was meant to prevent the attachment of magnetic anti-tank mines by enemy troops. The fact that only the Germans fielded such devices in any quantity seems not to have been taken into account; after about one year, application of Zimmerit was discontinued.
A rear angled view shows the basic parts of the exhaust system in place, as well as the large round access plate below and between them. Photos show that the access plate frequently did not have Zimmerit applied to its surface, which is how DML chose to replicate it.
The scale recreation of Zimmerit continues to vex modelers, with various methods (hot knives and putties) being practiced to add this feature to a model. Likewise, etched brass sheets, pattern-making tools and resin sheets have been marketed to hopefully make things easier for modelers. DML pioneered molded-on Zimmerit on some 1/72nd scale kits a couple of years ago; recently they have scaled up the process for 1/35th-scale. This is their third release in that scale to feature Zimmerit.
Tracks.
In a departure from all previous DML new-tool and re-tooled Panther kits, this release features two track lengths made from DS100 soft styrene. They come packaged in the now-familiar channel-shaped card, which protects the guide horns from distortion. These tracks are crisply-detailed all ‘round and are the earlier pattern with no ice cleats on the faces of each link. The guide horns are molded hollow, providing an excellent level of detail fidelity. The tracks can be fixed with standard styrene cements; this allows an added advantage in that the lengths can also be glued to the road-wheels to represent track sag.
The two lengths of track are provided in DS100 soft styrene material. These can be fixed with standard liquid styrene cement. The spare track links include separate guide horns with the proper opened appearance.
Suspension System.
The original kits in this series had the torsion-bar swing-arms molded onto the lower side plate of the hull part. Now, the newly-tooled swing-arms are separate parts and depict the three different types that were used at various locations. The idler wheel swing-arm is also separate; adjusting it will make depicting track sag much easier. 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 separate 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 early Panthers; both vehicles for which markings are provided feature this type. The outer-most road-wheels feature manufacturer’s details on the tires, and also have subtle rim detail.
Hull.
In order to accept the separate torsion-bar swing-arms, the hull pan was 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 new (separate) lower bow plate has a fine Zimmerit pattern already in place, 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. Two new Gepäckkasten (baggage bins) are provided complete with Zimmerit; the parts are from a slide-mold and feature their lids and the clasps molded in place, without any detail compromises. The original bins are also included; they have separate lids in either styrene or etched brass. The upper hanging brackets are included, but not the lower curved plates upon which the Gepäckkasten (baggage bins) rested. The final items are a multi-part vehicle jack with etched brass or styrene mounting brackets, metal “U”-shaped tow clevises (with separate, well-detailed styrene attachment bars), and all-styrene versions of the latter.
Superstructure.
A completely new part for the superstructure and roof plate is provided. The glacis and side plates have the Zimmerit pattern molded in place. It is quite restrained (perhaps too much so), but nevertheless is well-rendered. Unlike earlier kits of the Ausf.D, the glacis plate is molded in place, not as a separate part. Typical for this version, the glacis plate features two openings; one is the so-called “letter-box” flap for the radio operator’s MG34, the other is the visor for the driver’s vision port. Both of those parts are new and come complete with Zimmerit pattern molded in place. The driver’s visor has internal hinge detail, but curiously, no clear part for the glass block; clear parts are provided elsewhere in this kit. An MG34 from the “Gen2” figure sets is included for the RO’s MG flap. A single Bosch head-lamp is shown installed, but there is no locating hole for it either on the inside (to be opened up) or on the outside of the glacis plate. Another nice touch is the two turned brass width indicator rods seen at the mud-flap edges on some Panthers, including one for which markings are provided in the box.
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 side plates for the fuel tanks are given. They also have proper interlock and weld bead detail but no Zimmerit pattern, which is correct according to photos. 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. Two styles of jack blocks along with etched brass retainer chains and cotter pins complete the OVM set. Curiously absent is DMLs usually-supplied wound metal wire with styrene end loops for the tow cables and track changing cable.
Spare track links are provided as standard styrene moldings. They come with separate guide horns that feature the correct open appearance and when assembled will look quite nice. However, for at least one of the marking schemes provided many more links will be needed.
Exquisite Schürzen plates are provided in 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.
A close-up view of parts of the superstructure and turret reveals the restrained Zimmerit pattern. Note that there are no locating marks on the superstructure side plates to indicate placement of tool racks and other OVM.
Turret.
The outer shell is a new molding, with Zimmerit on all appropriate surfaces. 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 rear plate has the rain 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. Both of these parts are new and also have the Zimmerit pattern molded in place. 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; 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 Führungsring für MG (ring for machine gun) is provided for the rim, but it is marked as not for use. Photos indicate that both Panthers for which markings are provided had this feature, so I used it.
The gun mantle and shield, as well as the two extensions for the turret sides that go behind it, are also provided with the Zimmerit effect; some filling may be needed where the side parts are joined to the main part. The shield face has two holes for the binocular gunner’s sight as well as a rain gutter molded in place. 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 (marked not for use) 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.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Overall, I found no problems with the fit of any major or minor components. 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 and Details.
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 standard for this tank, I believe I can safely conclude that the overall accuracy and the level of detail in this kit is superior, but not perfect. Some things to consider are the following:
• There is no rod antenna provided.
• There are no tow cables, track changing cable or their end loops in the kit.
• The prominent lower mounting plates for the Gepäckkasten (baggage bins) are not given.
• There are no markings on the superstructure side plates which would correspond to the mounts for the tool racks, spare track racks and bore swab container. This will make assembly take unnecessarily longer as the modeler checks references for positions and then marks them on the plastic.
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.
Decals and Markings Information.
Markings are provided for two Panthers; note also the metal U-shaped tow clevises, turned brass width indicator poles, chain for MP-Stopfen and etched brass fret. The latter is minus all engine deck screens, which have already been fitted to the model.
The modest water-slide decal sheet is from Cartograf of Italy; this is a virtual guarantee that the designs will be crisply-rendered, have excellent registration and color saturation, and will have thin carrier film. That is the case here. Markings for two Panthers are provided. They are:
• Black 232, unidentified unit, Ostfront 1943.
• Black/white 425, unidentified unit, Ostfront 1943.
Photos confirm that both markings schemes are correct for Panther Ausf.Ds with Zimmerit. However, both vehicles had a number of features not provided in the kit:
• 425 had many, many extra spare track links on both the turret sides and the superstructure; many tools and their racks are not fitted. It carries two spare road wheels (one on either side of the superstructure rear corners) and has the Zimmerit applied to the Schürzen.
• 232 has a boarding ladder on the starboard side of its superstructure, tool boxes fitted to the engine deck above the air vent grills, a brace for the opened commander’s cupola hatch lid, and a communications hatch lid on the port side of the turret.
With all that said, I think the only real issue will be adding the last-mentioned item (the communications hatch lid) to 232. The part is in the box (marked not-for-use), but adding it will require that Zimmerit detail be destroyed and then re-applied.
This final image shows the Panther from the starboard side, minus the stamped aluminum Schürzen plates. Note that the vertical superstructure plates in the area of the fuel tanks are devoid of Zimmerit; this configuration matches contemporary photos.
Conclusion.
Overall, this is a fine kit and an excellent addition to the stable of Panthers already released by this manufacturer. The addition of Zimmerit will be quite an attraction to those modelers who have difficulty replicating it, although the choice of a late Panther Ausf.D (rather than an Ausf.A, where Zimmerit was seen on all production vehicles) will limit what can be done (in the way of appropriate markings) with what’s in the box.
Recommended.
Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
2. Panzerkampfwagen Panther Ausf.D; Panzer Tracts No.5-1, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
3. Germany’s Panther Tank: The Quest for Combat Supremacy; Schiffer, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
4. Panther & Its Variants; Schiffer, by W. Spielberger.
5. Panther; Squadron Armor In Action No.11, by B. Culver.
6. The Pz.Kpfw.V Panther; Osprey Vanguard No.21, by B. Perrett.
7. Panther Variants 1943-1945; Osprey New Vanguard No.22, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
8. Modelling the Panther Tank; Osprey Modelling No.30, by S. Van Beveren.
9. Panther, Jagdpanther & Brummbär; Achtung Panzer No.4.
10. Panzerkampfwagen V Panther; AFV Profile No.10, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
11. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.3; Tankpower No.3, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
12. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.5; Tankpower No.5, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
13. Panther; Sturm & Drang No.5.
14. Panther; Concord Armor at War No.7006, by T. Anderson & V. Wai.
15. Panzerkampfwagen V Panther; Aero, by W. Spielberger & U. Feist.
Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
DML kits are available from retail and mail-order sources. For details see their web site at: www.dragon-models.com.
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