book Panzer Tracts No.5-2
Panzerkampfwagen "Panther"
Ausfuehrung A

by Thomas L Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle
ISBN 0-9744862-1-3

Published by Panzer Tracts,
PO Box 334, Boyds, MD 20841, USA
http://www.panzertracts.com

Soft cover, 72 pages.

Review by Terry Ashley


Following on from the previous volume on the Panther Ausf D this new book deals exclusively with the Panther Ausf A with further volumes on the Ausf G and F to follow.

As with the Panther D, this book reflects the latest research into the Panther by the authors with the use of original documentation and drawings to give us the most up to date account of the Ausf A yet published.

There is a detailed history of the vehicle development and of the modifications introduced during production and the text is supplemented with some excellent production line photos showing the suspension, engine and hull interior to good effect. There is also some excellent detailed photos of the turret interior showing the gun mount and other fittings.

There is three sets of five view 1/35th plans of the initial Ausf A (still with drum cupola) plus sets for Panthers completed in February and June 1944 showing the modifications introduced during production.
These show the subtle changes in the turret layout, engine deck, crew hatches and other details and are described in the accompanying text. The plans are complimented with 1/35th sectional plans of the hull plates and components to give a complete breakdown of the hull construction.

As well as the plans there are many 1/20th and 1/10th scale as-built drawings of just about every individual component from head lights, tool racks, crew hatches, engine deck air intakes, exhaust grills and the many small fittings attached, these drawings show an incredible amount of detail.

In all this is an invaluable reference if you are building either of the excellent Dragon Panther Ausf A kits or if you just want the most up-to-date and detailed information available on the Panther Ausf A.

Highly recommended.



Page created October 6, 2003