Hobby Boss German Sd.Kfz.171 Panther Ausf A w/Zimmerit (84506) - 1:35 Hobby Boss via Creative Models

[Julien]

German Sd.Kfz.171 Panther Ausf A w/Zimmerit (84506)

1:35 Hobby Boss via Creative Models

 

 

The Panther was Germany's answer to the surprise appearance of the Russian T-34 after they finally reacted to the invasion that was Operation Barbarosa.  Although the project had been in gestation some time before, they took some design cues from the T-34 in the shape of the sloped armour, resulting in the Panther that was intended to fill the gap between the Panzer.IV and the (then) new Panzer VI Tiger.  It was eventually supposed to replace both the Pz.IV and the earlier Pz.III that was really showing its age, but in reality it often fought alongside the Panzer IV.  It was planned as a lighter, more manoeuvrable tank than the Tiger, and was fitted with a high velocity gun from the outset, which gave it enormous penetrating power that was only equalled by the British 17-pounder fitted to the Sherman to make the Firefly.  The sloped frontal armour gave it an increased effective armour thickness, but this was not so true of the side armour, which was comparatively weak, and this area became the preferred target of engaging allied tanks, especially in urban combat where this was a telling issue.

 

Like most German WWII tanks it was complex to produce, so suffered in terms of volume produced, and this led to it being rushed into service with quite a tick-list of things still to sort out.  Later production solved most of these initial gremlins, but loses in the interim were high with many being abandoned after failing during combat. Curiously, the Ausf.D was the first to enter production, with the Ausf.A following later in 1943, replacing attrition of the less reliable Ausf.Ds until they themselves were superseded by the Ausf.G, which became the final major variant with increased ammo storage, simplified design to ease production, and further improvements to reliability, although this was never fully cured with a high rate of attrition due to mechanical issues, some of which resulted in catastrophic fires.

 

 

The Kit

First impressions are excellent. This is a change to Hobby Boss's 2012 German Panther Ausf. D Flak Bergepanther with the same chassis & a new Tank Turret.  There are also some other changes. The schurzen (or side plates) were PE brass in the Flak, but are now provided as laser cut plasticard. One reason for this could be that all the zimmerit for this kit is sheets of cut plasticard. Different companies seem to be trying different ways of representing zimmerit, but this is the first time we have seen it as these thin sheets of plasticard. In the box there is an upper & lower hull, turret, 11 further sprues of dark yellow plastic, a sheet of PE, 19 track sprues, and the 4 sheets of card previously mention. The plastic is of good quality with no issues visible. 

 

 

Before construction starts the modeller will need to decide if they are adding the zimmerit or not. If so then the coating needs to be added to the hull sides before proceeding with the suspension components. The straight parts are added to an internal rail which is inserted into the lower hull from the inside. Inside the torsion bar parts are added. The actual axle parts with the arm for the wheels are attached to the longer bars and added from the outside. Gearbox covers are added along with additional suspension components. The road wheels, driver sprockets, and return rollers are made up added at this time. 

 

 

 

 

The tracks are now made up these are individual links with two guide horns to apply to each of the separate 178 links! There is though no jig in the kit to get the lie of the tracks right so they will have to be done on the wheels. As a quick guide to see how they fit some were cut of a sprue with clippers and they fit without additional clean up. Once the tracks are on the covers over the tracks can be added in place, this now completes the lower hull.

 

 

 

Construction then moves to the upper hull, a few small fittings need to be removed before the zimmerit is added if you are using it. The rear part of the hull is made up with the exhausts and tanks being added. Inside the top of the hull viewing periscopes are added along with the front hatches. The rear engine deck and fans are added along with photo etched grills. Tools and the gun cleaning equipment tube are added.  The upper hull can then be added to the tank. The side skirts can then be added, as previously mentioned these are made from laser cut plasticard and need to be cut out. 

 

 

The turret is now made up. The gun mantlet is made and added to the front. The hatches and their machine guns were used are added and the rear turret wall added. The two part muzzle is made up and added to the gun, this in turn is added to the turret. 

 

 

 

 

Zimmerit

The zimmerit for this kit is on three sheets of textured laser cut plasticard. It is thin and should adhere well with liberal amounts of glue. How this does work is yet to be seen, and there are bound to be parts this does not work well with, and joins were the modeller will have to apply there own. However this plastic form should be easier to work with than photo etch. 

 

 

 

 

Markings

A small sheet of generic numbers and hull crosses is included, however the instructions make no reference to any markings at all?

 

 

 

Conclusion

This looks to be a nice kit of the Panther and less complicated than some of the other "full interior" kits on the market if the modeller does not want a full interior. The use of plasticard for the side skirts and zimmerit coating is new.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Metal Barrel

If you want to take the kit up a notch then Hobby Boss now also offer a replacement metal barrel for the kit

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

[Soeren]

The parts on the sprues look very Dragon like.