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1/35 Scale Kit Number 6275; Sd.Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther |
Sd.Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther
by Cookie Sewell
Summary
Stock Number and Description |
Italeri 1/35 Scale Kit Number 6275; Sd.Kfz.
173 Jagdpanther |
Scale: |
1/35 |
Media and Contents: |
124+2+50, 8 in steel colored vinyl |
Price: |
price not known but estimated at US $33.50 |
Review Type: |
First Look |
Advantages: |
Simple kit, easy to assemble and captures
the look of its prototype |
Disadvantages: |
Carries over some of the problems with the
similar Panther A and D (kits number 6270 and 6290) due to its use of
the same lower hull sprue |
Recommendation: |
Recommended for German armor fans or
beginning modelers |
FirstLook
When Italeri released its Panther kit about 15 years ago, it caused
a firestorm of complaints and compliments from modelers. The
compliments were usually due to the fact that it was the first
Panther kit offered that attempted to provide for the use of "zimmerit"
surface paste via the use of applique armored panels. The complaints
were due to the fact that the kit HAD to use them or it wound up
being underscale, as well as the turret sat too far to the rear and
the suspension had some bugaboo problems. At the time it was
released, however, what many of its detractors failed to grasp was
that it was an A model and far superior to the obsolete Tamiya kit
that dated from 1968.
Since then Italeri, Tamiya, DML (both original and re-released Gunze
Sangyo) versions and some other kits have covered one of the more
popular derivatives of the Panther, the 88mm armed Jagdpanther. This
kit was originally released in the early 1990s, and this version
does make one change that I see – instead of the original lower hull
sprue from kit 270, this uses the one from the Panther Ausf. D kit
(number 290) what many missed the first time as that kit did not
need applique on its lower glacis.
Click the thumbnails below to view
sprue images:
The kit does not use any of the "zimmerit"
panels, which is not so good as it replicates the early model of the
Jagdpanther with the "smooth barrel" 88mm gun, most of which carried
the zimmerit coating. It also is missing the side skirts albeit the
mounts are included. It does retain the engine as provided in the A
and D kits, which is a nice touch as it lends itself readily to
diorama use.
The kit does come with the correct number and pattern of wheels, and
the good news is that the Italeri tracks – in this case two-section
vinyl in steel – are more flexible and fit well, other than the fact
that the upper run by the nature of its material cannot droop. This
will require forcing it down on the suspension via either steel rods
through the hull, tying it down with thread, or cementing it to the
upper part of the road wheels with ACC (superglue).
Overall this isn't a bad model, and it's a great place for new or
younger modelers to start as it has few vices or major problems in
assembly. It also, due to its flat shapes and panels, is a great
place to start if you want to learn how to apply "zimmerit" using a
product like R&J's "Zimmer-it-Right." But if you want a fine-scale
model, you will either have to make some changes and corrections or
look to another kit.
Recommended.
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