DML 1/72 Sd.Kfz.171 Panther G Early Production with Zimmerit Kit First Look
By Cookie Sewell
| Date of Review | April 2006 | Manufacturer | DML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Sd.Kfz.171 Panther G Early Production with Zimmerit | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 7252 | Primary Media | 178 parts (145 parts in grey styrene, 20 etched brass, 2 "DS" tan plastic track sections , 1 section of twisted steel wire) |
| Pros | Very neatly done common zimmerit pattern on the right parts; optional etched brass parts; styrene hull! | Cons | Etched brass parts redefine "right puny" |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $11.95 |
First Look
This is the third major 1/72 scale kit in which DML has done the dirty work for the German armor fan, namely molded the "Zimmerit" paste right onto the model. This is a great idea, and I for one am glad to see DML continue its series.
The model represents an "early production" Panther, which translates as the rounded mantelet and no "chin" and the low fan tower on the engine deck. (The tall one is included, so one could make a change if desired.) The nicest thing here is that six parts – upper hull, lower glacis, stern plate with stowage bins, mantelet, turret, turret rear plate and bow machine gun mount – all come pre-engraved with a rather standard pattern of "zimmerit" paste on them, which many modelers will appreciate, especially in this scale. All sides required to carry zimmerit do as DML has used its "slide molding" technique to replicate it, and this shows to good advantage on the one-piece stern plate with stowage bins.
The rest of the kit is similar to the original one but replaces the "heft" hull made of white metal with a normal styrene one, so normal kit assembly can take place. Lots of extra parts come with it, as this kit provides sprues from the Jagdpanther kits with their gun barrels and other optional accessories.
The directions are somewhat spare but there seems to be an assumption that anyone building this kit knows what a Panther looks like, and what "interleaved" road wheels are and how they work. At least the original black vinyl tracks have been replaced by "DS" plastic ones that may be glued down to the road wheels, if the modeler does not use the extra skirts instead.
The modeler has all of grille screens for the engine deck provided from etched brass, and also two one-piece spare track hangers for the rear sides of the hull. DML appears to assume you will use them, for no plastic parts are provided as an option.
Four finishing options are provided: Pz.Rgt.27, 19th Panzer Division, Warsaw 1944; 3./Pz.Rgt. 12, 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjungen", Ardennes 1944; Pz.Abt.1, Pz.Rgt.1, 1st SS Panzer Division "Liebstandart Adolf Hitler", Normandy 1944; and Fallschirmjaeger-Panzer Division "Hermann Goering", East Prussia 1945. Note that in the case of the SS divisions DML leaves out their full titles.
Overall this is a very nice little kit and the inclusion of zimmerit is a real plus.
Thanks to DML for the review sample.