Kit, Cyberhobby 6551, Befehls-Panther Ausf.G Smart Kit

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED 2


Product Specifications.

6551, Befehls-Panther Ausf.G Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 567 styrene parts (including 14 clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, two photo-etched brass frets, two lengths of braided metal wire, one decal/marking scheme and eight pages of instructions in 17 steps.

Introduction.

Coming from Cyberhobby, this latest limited release White Box kit will allow for the creation of a replica of the popular Pz.Kpfw.V Ausf.G Panther in its command tank, or Befehlspanzer configuration. Based upon the original Panther Ausf.G Smart Kit from DML, 18 new parts have been added for the command radio antenna arrays. In addition, the extended mast for the Sternantenne (star antenna) is provided; this can be shown stowed or erected. The plug for the not-installed MG34 is given for the gun mantlet, which itself is completely new. It represents a type that had extra armor thickness, which resulted in elongated bulges on either side of the opening for the gun tube.

Essentially, everything needed to convert the kit is given, all in one package.



Tracks.

The Magic Tracks are of the later pattern with the small ice grips on the face of the links. The tracks come from a slide-mold, so the integral guide horns not only have proper rib details on their outer surfaces, but they have also been hollowed-out. There are also four smaller sprues that have a total of 16 links with separate and properly detailed guide horns; these are to be wrapped around the drive sprockets.

Suspension System.

The torsion bar swing-arm units are separate parts and depict the three different types that were used at various locations on this Panzer. Internal torsion bar details are also given, including the holders and various other bits. The idler wheel swing-arm is also separate, which will make fitting 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. There are other separate detail parts for the suspension system that are fitted to the hull side plates, including bump-stops, track pin return plates and two pairs of cast final drive housings; one pair has the small return roller that mounted aft of the drive sprocket, while the other pair mounts the skid.

The drive sprockets feature the late-style hub-cap molded in place, while the original type of idler wheels are in four parts including separate outer rims for maximum realism. The larger idler wheel is also included and is based on a slide-molded core. The standard rubber-tired road-wheels feature 32 rim-bolts and have subtle rim detail where the tires are mounted.

Hull.

In order to accept the separate torsion bar swing-arms, the slide-molded hull pan has openings for them molded in place, 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. The lower bow plate is separate and has a delicately-rendered Zimmerit pattern, while the belly plate is of the final type that came in two sections, with the front being 25mm-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 attach to inner sub-plates for a very positive fit; they are exquisitely detailed with weld beads, bolt patterns, recessed screw heads and an opening for the power conduit (also included) that ran to the fender-mounted Bosch head-lamp. Also provided are the lower mounting brackets that the Gepäckkasten (baggage bins) rested upon.

The hull rear plate has fine weld seam and access lid details, as well as the prominent tow coupling that was mounted on the circular access plate. Early exhaust pipes are provided as are both welded and cast armored guards for where the pipes entered the hull rear plate; this option also includes the sheet metal heat shields that were wrapped around the exposed pipes. Not for use, but still included, are a pair of marvelously-rendered slide-molded Flammvernichter (flame-dampening) exhaust pipes, which are complimented by optional separate upper elbows. The two Gepäckkasten (baggage bins) are slide-molded and have very-finely detailed lids and clasps. Also (fit issues aside) the bins are correctly-mounted spaced away from the rear plate, with all the proper brackets. The final items are a multi-part vehicle jack with delicate mounting brackets, convoy light including clear part, and U-shaped tow clevises.


Superstructure.

The superstructure features integrally-molded front fender/mud flaps, which have separate detail parts as well as a single multi-part Bosch head-lamp (it is based on a slide-molded core with a separate clear styrene lens if the cap is left off) for the port side; there is a detailed mount under the fender with a separate power conduit, illustrating the dedication to fidelity of the kits designers. There are a couple of large, deep ejector pin marks under there as well, but they are hidden from normal view.

The MG is provided with a finely-detailed, slide-molded MG34 and mount; the machine-guns muzzle is pre-bored, and there is a separate cap to be used if the MG is not in place. The separate drivers and radio operators hatch lids (there are two styles provided) feature separate grab handles (check photos; some Panthers had handles; some did not) and complete underside detail. The springs seen on the inside of the transmission access plate that attached to the lids are present as are external bump-stops. Separate periscope armor guards for the driver and the RO are given as are clear styrene periscope heads; the drivers scope also has a separate rotator plate (remove the location tab and it can be movable) and sun-shade. The Heckzurrung (external travel lock for tank gun) is separate and features an intricately detailed chain segment due to the use of a slide mold. It can be configured in use or laid down. The turret ring race has complete detail and does not have cut-outs to keep the turret locked in place; personally, I prefer this method as it will allow the modeler more latitude in display. Just be aware that although the turret fits quite snugly, it may fall out if the model is inverted.

The engine deck has a number of options and also contains some internal bits. It includes etched brass screens for the various air intake and exhaust grills. Internally, there are the baffles and fan blades for the engine cooling system; this includes the option of two different fan blade styles. Externally there are two different styles of cast cooling air exhaust armor guards, with the third option being the raised tower associated with the Kampfraumheizung (fighting compartment heater. The separate slat arrangements that were situated only on the starboard side of the engine deck is given as either opened or closed options; likewise the pie-slice plates that cover the raised tower can be mounted in place or stored next to the opening. Two main engine deck plates are given; the differences are extremely subtle and quite difficult to distinguish, consisting of the same number of openings around the rim, but with differing styles of fasteners within them. A separate engine deck access hatch lid is given as are various fittings, hooks and filler caps. The Sternantenne, flexible mount and porcelain base is provided, as is a complete standard rod antenna. Parts are also given to install the telescoped mast for the Sternantenne, which was used for long-range transmission and reception from a stationary position.

The superstructure side plates feature proper weld bead and interlock details and have separate mounting frames for the tools and spare tracks. In styrene, the latter are very cleverly slide-molded and include properly-rendered U-shaped track hangers complete with small holes for the separate (and finely-molded) L-shaped holding pins. The tools have molded-on clasps; these are very accurately depicted and with proper cleaning will look the part very convincingly. A jack block with wood grain texture sits in its tray and two styles of large tow cable loops are provided; they come from a slide-mold and are pre-bored to accept the provided wound metal wire tow cable. Separate U-shaped hooks with separate L-shaped pins hold the cables in place on the engine deck. The thinner track changing cable is also provided along with proper end-loops. The bore swab/staff and rod antenna storage tube is provided in multiple parts to include empty mounts for the Sternantenne extension mast, or a fully-stowed version of the mast

No Schürzen plates are provided. The rails on either side of the superstructure side plates are there, as are the hooks (in styrene). For the sake of versatility, it might have been good to have them; regardless, the Cyberhobby upgrade for the Ausf.G Smart Kit has them and Eduard has an etched brass Schürzen set for the same kit. So, if the modeler feels the need, they can be had. And, they would not be too difficult to make up from styrene sheet, using the cited references as a guide.

Turret.

This is topped by a superbly-designed cast Prismenspiegelkuppel (commanders cupola with periscopes); its exterior is from a slide-mold, so that the area beneath the armor guards for the periscope heads is properly rendered. Clear styrene scope heads are then inserted from the inside, which has the proper thickness due to separate ring inserts. The multi-part hatch lid is completely detailed inside and out. There is a Führungsring für MG (ring for machine gun) and Fliegerbeschußgerät (anti-aircraft mount for an MG34), but no MG34 is provided. Finally, there is a separate external commanders blade sight.

The new gun mantlet is topped by the sheet metal debris guard. The 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 gun tube is a conventionally-molded one-piece all-styrene item, capped by a three-part slide-molded styrene muzzle brake. The gun tube matches drawings in Panzer Tracts 5-3 very precisely and includes the subtle change in taper seen towards the rear; internally, there is basic breech detail for it. The turrets rear plate, as well as its attendant escape hatch are provided, with the latter being movable

A new base an rod antenna get mounted on the roof, as do has separate grab handles, lifting hooks, two different fan vent cover plates (forged and welded), separate armored splash guard for the vent, molded-on Pilsen (crane mounts) with excellent weld and drain details, separate clear styrene loaders periscope (with armored guard), and a slide-molded Nahverteidigungswaffe (close defense weapon); this can be configured with an opened or closed port and includes the internal part of the weapon

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Overall, I found one fit issue. The Gepäckkasten (baggage bins) must rest on top of the brackets (G10 and G11) but will not because of the placement of the location holes on their inner faces. The solution is easy: simply remove the pins on the hull rear plate and align everything by eye. No sink marks were found, and in every case except for the above-mentioned individual link tracks, there were no visible ejector pin marks.

Accuracy.

The recent four-volume series from the Panzer Tracts team, backed up by their classic work for Schiffer (see listing below) was the base reference for this scale models physical attributes. 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.5-3). Without exception, the fit was superb. Given that these drawings are widely held to be the ultimate reference for this Panzer, I can probably safely conclude that the overall accuracy level of this kit is quite high. It has been said that the turret rear plate has the escape hatch opening in the wrong place. Using drawings in the cited references, I could not find this discrepancy; the kits part matched the drawing very well. The bulged mantlet is not apparent in any references I have; those who may have built the Gunze multi-media Panther G in the old days will remember that such a mantlet was included as an option.

Any issues I have with this kit are solely related to the few omissions that are noted, such as:

No Schürzen plates.
No anti-aircraft MG.

Instructions.

The instructions are presented in the conventional manner, with intricately-detailed line drawings. Almost all of the main steps contain one or more sub-steps separated into small boxes; this will assist the modeler in preparing subassemblies for placement when needed.

Decals and Markings Information.

The decals are from DMLs usual supplier, Cartograf of Italy. All items are in perfect register, feature crisp edges and fine color saturation. Carrier film is thin, matte and closely cropped to the edges of the designs. Only Balkenkreuze national insignia are provided so the markings can safely be considered to be generic, if completely un-inspired.

Conclusion.

This is a useful variation of DMLs well-received Panther Ausf.G Smart Kit and should go over well with fans of this particular German kitty. The proper parts are all in the box and if the modeler has other versions of this kit from DML, some variety is possible by swapping parts.

Highly recommended.

Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto

References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:

1. Panther & Its Variants; Spielberger Series Vol.1, Schiffer, by W. Spielberger.
2. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
3. Panzerkampfwagen Panther Ausf.G; Panzer Tracts No.5-3, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
4. Germanys Panther Tank: The Quest for Combat Supremacy; Schiffer, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
5. Panther Variants 1943-1945; Osprey New Vanguard No.22, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
6. The Pz.Kpfw.V Panther; Osprey Vanguard No.21, by B. Perrett.
7. Modelling the Panther Tank; Osprey Modelling No.30, by S. Van Beveren.
8. Panther; Squadron Armor in Action No.11, by B. Culver.
9. Panther vs. Sherman, Battle of the Bulge 1944; Osprey Duel 13, by S. Zaloga.
10. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.1; Tankpower No.1, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
11. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.2; Tankpower No.2, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
12. Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Vol.7; Tankpower No.7, AJ Press, by W. Trojca.
13. Panther; Sturm & Drang No.5.
14. Panther, Jagdpanther & Brummbär; Achtung Panzer No.4.
15. Panzerkampfwagen V Panther; Aero, by W. Spielberger & U. Feist.
16. Panzerkampfwagen V Panther; AFV Profile No.10, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
17. Panther; Concord Armor at War 7006, by T. Anderson & V. Wai.
18. Panther Ausf.A/G, Photosniper 11; Kagero, by G. Parada, W. Styrna & M. Suliga.

Reviewers 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.

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