Jagdpanther Sd.Kfz. 173 G1
Late Production

Vespid Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green
 

Summary

Background

The Jagdpanther was a tank destroyer built by Germany during World War II based on the chassis of the Panther tank.

The Jagdpanther combined the 8.8 cm Pak 43 anti-tank gun, similar to the main gun of the Tiger II, and the armor and suspension of the Panther chassis.

It entered service in 1944 during the later stages of the war and served on the Eastern and Western Fronts.

During the last stages of the war, limited German production resulted in small production numbers, shortage of spare parts, and shortened crew training periods of younger operators.

There were two main variants. The earlier G1 1944 model has a small welded main gun mantlet, one-piece Pak 43/3 gun, a modified Panther A engine deck, and had two vision openings for the driver.

The G2 Jagdpanther used a Panther Ausf. G engine deck, a larger gun mantlet bolted externally, and a two-piece KwK 43/4 L/71 gun.

Some later G1 models had 'hybrid' G2 features such as the larger G2 mantlet as changes to the design were implemented. Zimmerit was applied to G1s up to September 1944, then was withdrawn to decrease production time.

Early Jagdpanthers had two vision openings for the driver, whereas late versions had only one.

The main gun originally had a monobloc gun barrel, but, May 1944-on, it was gradually replaced by an economical two-part barrel after crews determined barrel wear was uneven.*

FirstLook

Vespid Models added to their impressive 1:72 scale lineup with several Panther Ausf. G kits last year.

As a logical extension, Vespid’s latest release introduces their first 1:72 scale Jagdpanther kit.

Vespid's new 1:72 scale Jagdpanther Sd.Kfz. 173 G1 Late Production comprises 258 parts in grey coloured plastic, (29 marked not for use), 46 brass photo-etched parts, one pink 3D printed part, one turned metal gun barrel, two lengths of fine twined metal cable and decals for two marking options.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

This is a hefty parts count for a small-scale model but in addition to the parts not for use, there are also some options that will stay in the box.

In common with Vespid’s previous releases, surface textures are superb with a combination of recessed and raised structural features as appropriate. Moulding is perfect on my sample.

Detail is excellent too.

Parts breakdown is conventional. The lower hull is moulded in one piece including the inner lower hull sides. Swing arms are separate pieces and keyed to ensure the correct alignment.

A full set of late-style 32 bolt rubber-tyred road wheels are supplied. The wheels are moulded as a single plastic part each - no vinyl tyres, thank goodness.

Link and length tracks are included. Individual links are supplied to wrap around the drive sprockets and idler wheels, with long top and bottom runs and a few short runs to complete the tracks. Track link detail is great.

The all-new upper hull and superstructure are moulded as one main piece.

The engine deck is configures as a standard early Panther Ausf. G engine vent layout. This seems to be consistent with a late-production G1.

Photo-etched mesh is supplied for the engine deck vents.

The distinctive triple exhaust is supplied for the port side.

Several styles of rear hull stowage boxes are present on the sprues. Options are offered for two of these styles.

Optionsl superstructure rooves are included too. The differences are subtle, but the main difference appears to be an extra ventilator at the front of the roof.

A full complement of on-vehicle equipment and spare track links is supplied. A choice of metal or plastic tow cables is offered.

The plastic parts are impressively thin and crisply detailed, but you will need to take care when you are removing these parts from the sprues.

A lovely turned metal gun barrel is provided as an alternative to the kit’s plastic part.

A pink coloured 3D printed muzzle brake is also included. It is ready to use almost straight from its small plastic bag.

Markings are supplied for two options – both in late-war three colour camouflage.

 
The decals are nicely printed and in register.

Conclusion

Vespid Models’ 1:72 scale Jagdpanther is every bit as nice as its Panther predecessors.

There is hardly any compromise in detail despite the small scale of this model.

Of course, this results in an inevitable buildability trade-off. There are a number of tiny plastic and photo-etched parts in the box and the parts count would be more typical of a 1:35 scale kit, so the Vespid Jagdpanther will be best suited to an experienced modeller.

I'm looking forward to building this one!

*Historical text adapted from Wikipedia

Purchased by reviewer.