Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf. F Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther F 2-in-1 Kit
|
Stock Number and Description | cyber-hobby.com (Dragon Models Limited) 1/35 Scale Kit No. 13 (‘39-‘45 Series Kit No. 6382); Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf. F Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther F 2-in-1 Kit (Prototype and Production Type) |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | 861 parts (532 in grey styrene, 170 "Magic Track" links, 142 etched brass, 14 clear styrene, 1 turned aluminum, 1 pre-bent brass, 1 brass tube) |
Price: | Will be available online from Mission Models |
Review Type: | First Look |
Advantages: | Well detailed; best magic tracks yet; great photo-etched detail included; improvements introduced since most recent Panther releases; excellent decals from Cartograf |
Disadvantages: | |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended |
FirstLook
Dragon certainly is pushing the boat out with every progressive
release and this release from Cyber Hobby is a great example of what
can be done with injection moulded plastic at the moment. Hidden
within the tight confines of the understated box is a plethora of
superbly detailed plastic that impresses straight away.
Complimenting the well moulded sprues are usual trimmings that we
have come to expect from new Dragon kits in the form of etched,
metal wire and “magic track.
As a closer examination of the contents of the kit soon makes
apparent, there is little that has not been overlooked, although the
only notable omission thus far would have been the welcome addition
of the infra red equipment from the “Night Fighting Panther” release
from a few years back. Considering it was a technology that the
Germans were developing at the time, and the fact that Allied air
superiority was forcing the Germans to favour night operations, it
is reasonable to theorise that the “what-if?” schemes in this kit
would utilise this technology. But I digress.
I mentioned there were “Magic Track” included with this kit, and
after several attempts and some less than spectacular renditions
(the Tiger Magic Tracks were not all that “Magic” if you ask me)
these are the best I have seen yet, as they include the openings in
the guide-horns. The only drawback I can note on them is the pair of
ejector pin marks and the sprue gate located at the centre of the
back of each link, which will be somewhat awkward to clean up. I
think the careful use of a diamond file will be required here.
However, due to the fact that they are between the guide-horns it
would be interesting to see if they will be invisible on the
finished model, and thus not require cleaning up at all.
Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:
As the model incorporates a
majority of parts from the impressive G series of Panthers from
Dragon the detail and accuracy of the parts are second to none.
Progressively we are seeing the level of detail represented with the
photo-etched detail set included with these Dragon kits expanding at
an exponential rate. Whereas when Dragon first began including etch
parts they were little more than grilles and perhaps tie down in the
Jagdtiger, however now they are extensive enough to include options
like open or closed chains on the travel lock. Which are 6 part
etched assemblies incidentally. In fact this kit incorporates more
etched parts “out of the box” than any other injection kit I have
seen yet. However, if you are put off by photo-etched parts fear
not, as there are injection moulded alternative parts included in
the kit.
When it comes to the injection moulded parts, Dragon does not simply
allow the etched parts do all of the enhancing, as the level of
detail rendered on subjects like the tools is quite impressive.
Easily the best I have personally seen to date, there is nothing
more that could be expected of them in 35th scale, aside from the
latches being operational, which to me is a fair bit superfluous.
The inclusion of clear parts has also become a standard item in
Dragon releases, and where it used to include only the periscopes,
they now incorporate the headlights, complete with pattern, which
for me is a major bonus.
Another part of the model that obviously had some improving done to
it since I made the impressive “D” model a while back is the engine
deck, as they have included the fan and radiator detail that would
be visible through the mesh screening much the same as they did with
the recent Tiger releases. Consisting of a four or five part
assembly for the crew compartment hating unit, and two types of
access hatch variations, it is apparent that there is not going to
be any portions of this model that are overlooked when it comes to
the attention to detail.
The new sprue to this kit is obviously the one containing the
“Schmallturm” or narrow turret as it is called by English speakers.
Rather than simply including the older and less accurate one from
the previous releases of the Panther F, Dragon has taken the time to
correct and further detail this sprue, as well as include the
appropriate version of hull along with it.
Printed by a personal favourite decal producer; Cartograf, the decal
sheet is in perfect register and offers almost limitless options of
vehicle as the numbers are provided in three styles and duplicates
of five different digits.
Overall this is a very impressive release despite the fact that it
is a “speculative” design and the markings options entirely
fictional. At $95.00 US from Dragon USA, this will not be the
cheapest kit you get this year, but I would say that it is good
value for money considering that it does not really need anything
adding to it in order to make something very special.
Recommended
Thanks to
cyber-hobby.com for the sample