DML 1/35 Jagdpanther Sd.Kfz.173 Ausf.G1 Early Production w/Zimmerit Kit First Look

By Cookie Sewell

First Look

DML has now taken their very nice Jagdpanther Ausf. G1 kit (No. 6458) and changed out the parts to now provide the kit with factory-molded zimmerit paste. This is provided in the “tile”-like pattern and provides a realistic rough finish over the surface of the kit.

While some modelers groused about the fact that the kit’s molded zimmerit provides only a single pattern and is not as good as the “roll your own” variety, it has proven popular. ((In this day and age many modelers are short on time, so anything which cuts out long, tedious or messy operations tends to be popular with guys who just want to build, paint and enjoy). Learning from their first kits, DML now leaves places where kit and fittings must be attached bare and provides attachment tabs or holes.

Unlike the first revised Jagdpanther kit noted above, this one is a near verbatim “repop” with the exception of the new upper and lower hull and a sprue of components with zimmerit paste applied. The kit does not have as many options, but does provide a pair of gun barrels for the monobloc and composite construction designs. The now-standard German generic 8.8 cm slide molded muzzle brake is also included.

As with the previous“Smart Kits” it makes more use of “slide molding” than previous DML kits, and the goal seems to be to permit modelers to get “multimedia” kit finish and part definition with a minimum of actual multimedia parts – here being but six brass parts, mostly grilles for the engine deck, and two steel tow cables (large and small).

The new lower hull remains a one-piece “slide mold” part with all of the torsion bars complete and separate parts and zimmerit molded on its upper sections. Fine details such as “bump stops”, “pin knockers” and braces are all separate. It still comes with the rubber tired road wheels and the cast mounting collar for the gun barrel. The model may be built with or without the small return roller wheel on the final drives, and both types are provided in the kit.

The hull rear plate comes with the four-pipe exhaust, but most of the other options from the original Panther Ausf. G kit are still not provided.

The same nicely done engine deck is provided with radiators, radiator fans, screens, louvers and separate access ports and lids. All grilles replicate full castings and are separate parts as well. No engine or deep interior parts are provided.

The hull side trim is all plastic, but comes with “slide molded” mounts and access holes for pins or attachment in order to permit track links to be hung in a prototypical fashion on their racks. As noted there is no zimmerit where these attach to the hull. The same goes for the tools and OVM.

The hull comes with a separate roof plate and details, with all hatches save the left from sliding plate as separate parts. The commander’s hatch may have the “rabbit ears” periscope installed if the modeler desires, and al of the hatches are positionable as is the close in defense weapon. However, only a very minimalist gun breech for the 8.8 cm gun is provided. Since the rear gun access hatch is also provided separately, it does limit the modeler’s options to show this hatch open as there is little to see inside the casemate.

One surprise is that the kit now comes with early model DS Plastic single section runs. While everyone knows by now that Panthers used “dead” track and it has to sag, at least if the modeler thinks ahead the DS Plastic runs can be cemented to the tops of the road wheels to induce the correct sag. The directions alas only stay “put this on” in Step 16. (The idea is if you wish to simply glue them on using plastic cement you must leave bare areas on the tops of the road wheels and the bottom of the top track runs.)

Technical assistance for this kit was provided by Steven Van Beveren, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.

As the vehicle now comes with zimmerit, a total of six finishing options are provided: 1./s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt. 654, France 1944 (tricolor with crosses); 2./s.H.Pz.Jg. 654, France 1944 (sand brown with crosses); 2./s.H.Pz.Jg. 654, France 1944 (sand brown with brown splotches); s.H.Pz.Jg. 654, Western Front 1944 (tricolor , white crosses, Red 112); 3./s.H.Pz.Jg. 654, France 1944 (tricolor, black crosses, Black 314); and s.H.Pz.Jg. 654, Western Front, 1944 (tricolor, white crosses, Red 133). A set of Cartograf decals is provided for these markings. Note that if you pay attention to the side views the vehicles with the composite and the monobloc gun barrels are shown.

Overall, this should be a very popular kit as it now comes with a complete coating of zimmerit paste.

Thanks to DML for the review sample.

Sprue Layout:

• A 52x2 Engine deck details and fine details
• B 11 Jagdpanzer with Zimmerit - hull details
• C 60 Hull details and sponsons
• E 47x4 Road wheels, torsion bars, individual “wrap” track links, wingnuts
• G 37 Drivers, final drives, steel wheel sets
• H 33 Jagdpanther engine deck details and sponson liners
• J 8 MG-34 bow gun
• K 30 Tools and OVM
• L 1 Jagdpanther upper hull with Zimmerit
• M 27 Jadgpanther casemate roof and exhaust parts
• N 42 Jagdpanther rear hull, radiators and hatch details
• Q 11 Jagdpanzer 8.8 cm gun components
• R 1 twisted steel wire
• S 9 clear styrene
• T 26 Jagdpanther gun barrel
• T 6 Alternate Jagdpanther gun barrel and fittings
• X 1 Lower hull with Zimmerit
• W 2 DS Plastic Track Runs
• Z 1 twisted steel wire
• M 6 Etched brass
• TF 3 German Generic - muzzle brake
• TG 3 Close in defense weapon