BISON DECALS
35075, Panther #1; Late Ausf.G on the West-Front. 1/35th-scale water-slide decals with instructions; markings are included for eight models.
The sleek Pz.Kpfw.V Panther has been a favorite of modelers since the early days of the hobby. Who remembers the Aurora kit in 1/48th-scale or the Airfix version in 1/76th-scale? Blessedly, over the years, these fondly-remembered early kits (trust me, they had PROBLEMS!) were supplanted by far more accurate and detailed kits from several manufacturers in the popular 1/35th-scale. In the case of this particular sheet (and its companion, also reviewed here at ToT), the Panther Ausf.G in its later production guise has been provided with eight sets of markings. This particular batch will allow the modeler to accurately mark panthers used by Heer and Waffen-SS units during the Ardennes offensive of December 1944 and thereafter until war’s end. These include the following:
• Panther Ausf.G late, '111', 1.SS-Pz.Div, K-Gr. Peiper, Ardennes December 1944.
• Panther Ausf.G late, '124', 1.SS-Pz.Div, K-Gr. Peiper, Ardennes December 1944.
• Befehls-Panther Ausf.G late, '001', unidentified unit, Krefeld Germany March 1945.
• Panther Ausf.G late, '725', unidentified unit, Ardennes, December 1944.
• Panther Ausf.G late, '323', unidentified unit, 1944-45.
• Panther Ausf.G late, '121', 9.Pz.Division, Langlir, Ardennes, January 1945.
• Panther Ausf.G late, '302', unidentified unit, 1944-45.
• Panther Ausf.G late, '741', possible 9.Pz.Division, Bonn, Germany, March 1945.
These Panthers also exhibit the various late-war color schemes, some of which were base-coated in Rot primer or Olivgrün. These include some typical “banded” schemes, the so-called “Ambush” scheme and a very unique scheme based on Olivgrün with fine Dunkelgelb stripes. Likewise, the locations of Balkenkreuze national insignia also vary, which is an indication of production at a specific factory. In addition, all vehicles have some form of Tac number, some of which are fairly unusual.
The designs are printed by Begemot in Russia. This has come to mean that printing is first rate, with excellent registration, crisp edges, fine color saturation and clear, matte carrier film. The instructions are printed on one and a half pages, in black and white; reference sources are noted. Each subject is depicted in up to three views which show camouflage patterns. Colors are called out next to the images, while the decals are designated by a letter/number combination. These correspond to a separate sheet that has the designs overprinted with said alpha-numerics (as well as a list of published and on-line reference sources). This makes the process of applying the designs as fool-proof as it can get. One can also go to Bison’s web-site and view or down-load the instructions in full color, as well as view links to some of the archival images used to create the decals. This is a great idea, especially when so many modelers are cost-conscious.
With the advent of several variations of the Panther Ausf.G from DML/Cyberhobby in the last few years, as well as the continued availability of the older Tamiya kit, it is a certainty that some modelers will seek some variety in markings over and above what comes in the kit box. This sheet ought to please them quite admirably.
Recommended.
Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto
Bison products are available at retail and mail order shops and directly from the manufacturer at: www.angelfire.com/pro/bison. Visit their web site for images of reviewed items.
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