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Sets for DML Panther A and G (PE 35084, PEA 075, PEA 070,
PE35140) |
Panther A and G Detail Sets
Voyager Model, 1/35 scale
Reviewed by Jay Laverty
Catalogue Number and Description: |
Voyager Model item no. PE35084 Panther Ausf. A
Voyager Model item no. PEA075 Side Skirts for Panther G-F /
Jagdpanther
Voyager Model item no. PEA070 Cleaning Rod Bin for Panthers and
Jagdpanthers
Voyager Model item no. PE35140 Panther Ausf. G |
Contents
and Media: |
Photo-etched frets and
multi-media accessories |
Scale: |
1/35 |
Price: |
Available
from specialist hobby retailers worldwide including Mission
Models |
Review Type: |
FirstLook |
Advantages: |
Amazing detail;
noticeable improvement on scale appearance of some kit parts;
poseable and even workable details including hatches and pistol
ports. |
Disadvantages: |
|
Recommendation: |
Recommended to
experienced modellers |
Voyager
Model Accessories are available online from Mission Models
FirstLook
In total
we will be looking at four separate items newly released from
Voyager Model, and all of them are just as impressive as the other.
Of course I may be slightly biased as I really enjoy making
Panthers. The new generation of Panthers from Dragon are very
impressive on their own, however as with any injection kit, there
are many spots that will benefit from the addition of thinner
photo-etched details.
PE35084 Panther Ausf. A
First up
let’s have a look at PE 35084, designed to be used on Dragons
Panther Ausf. A (kit numbers 6160 / 6168 and 6358). Comprising no
less than 9 etched frets several lengths of styrene rod are included
as well as a couple lengths of metal wire and a couple of knob ends
for the width indicator poles. A very subtle and welcome addition if
you ask me.
While there are points of the set that will be already covered in
the Dragon kit (in particular the extensively complimented “Premium
Edition” kits) yet it is better to have it all here in one set in
case you want to use it with the most basic of the Dragon releases.
The level of detail covered over the set is absolutely amazing, and
whether intentional or not, finds a happy median between labour
intensive engineering work and slightly challenging additional
detail work. A look through the instructions reveals that the
process is intelligently, as well as clearly illustrated, even if
English translation is not Voyager Models strongest point! (Cuppla,
and Scletchbuild are my personal favourites…) What is also clearly
and immediately apparent is the fact that this set will vastly and
significantly enhance the look of the kit in a lot of places. I was
particularly impressed by the intricately detailed parts to enhance
the pistol port, the mounting brackets for the exhausts are sublime,
and as you can see from the accompanying images the stowage bins are
very well rendered.
PEA075 Side Skirts for Panther G-F / Jagdpanther
There
isn’t a great deal to be said about this set, as all it does is give
you the additional armour side-skirts that are included in the
Premium Edition versions of the Dragon Panthers. These can be added
to the “Smart Kit” version of the Panthers (thus far) as well as the
Tamiya Panthers, and also the Dragon Jagdpanthers. I am quite sure
that should you wish to do so, these could be added to the venerable
Italeri Jagdpanther and Panthers, which always seem to turn up
somewhere for cheap.
PEA070 Cleaning Rod Bin for Panthers and Jagdpanthers
This is a
stunning bit of kit as it is intricately detailed and very
universal. As with, and probably even more so, the side skirts
above, this set can be adapted to any Panther or variant that you
have. Italeri, Tamiya, Dragon.
I was extremely impressed by looking at the details on the etched
fret closely as the chain is nicely rendered, and the detail is
excellent and thorough right down to the weld seams on the mounting
brackets.
Included with the set is a small fret of etched and of course the
tube for rod stowage.
PE35140 Panther Ausf. G
Once again
this set is extremely impressive from the moment the box is opened.
Containing 7 etched frets, comprising a stunning array of detail
ranging from rear stowage bins every bit as impressive as the ones
in the set mentioned above. Some beautiful copper wire is included,
that is perfectly flexible, and if you have ever used the wonderful
Karaya copper tow cable, this is exactly the same gear.
The engine deck is completely detailed and the sliding louvres for
the grilles are there, along with working lifting eyes, and just
about every detail you can think of, regardless of how small.
In fact they have us making springs for the drivers hatches along
with a completely detailed latch mechanism for the escape hatch at
the rear of the turret.
Overall I would rate all of these sets very highly, and despite the
fact that some of them will have parts covered in the Premium
Editions of the Dragon kits, they will be infinitely useful either
way, for a multitude of kits, not only the Dragon Panthers either.
If you enjoy replacing detail with closer to scale photo-etched
parts, these sets are among the best there is for doing so.
Voyager Models accessories are available in the USA from Mission
Models.
Highly
Recommended.
Thanks to
Voyager Model for the samples
Click the
thumbnails below to view larger images:
Text by Jay Laverty
Images Copyright 2007 by Jay Laverty and Voyager Models
Page Created 26 April, 2007
Page Last Updated
06 May, 2007
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