Panther A (Early Version) & Panther D Sd.Kfz.171
1/35th Royal Models
set No's 313, 323
For Dragon Kits
Reviews by Terry Ashley
The resin pieces are well cast in a light grey/green resin and are blemish free with only the usual casting blocks to be removed. The parts included in both sets are the small posts on the hull side tool racks, the wooden jack block, bare fire extinguisher (with etched details), antenna mount and the head light and mount plus in set 313 are the seven cupola periscopes and a nice MG34.
The etched parts are well formed with very finely etched details with fret C in each set being slightly thicker metal to better represent the parts included.
Both sets are similar and include details such as the engine deck screens
(although these don’t have the weave effect seen on some recent etched
Panther screens), the hull side tool racks (with the resin posts) plus etched
chains
and fittings for securing the tools, the barrel support and periscope covers
on the hull top. There are details for the hull side barrel cleaning rod case,
the fire extinguisher, jack and shovel plus a couple of very nicely detailed
hull top crew hatch securing brackets.
The spare track racks have separate brackets with securing chains and on the
rear hull are the exhaust mounting brackets and other smaller brackets.
The different parts in each set are the resin periscopes and anti-aircraft MG race and mounting frame for the cupola in set 313, although the flat etched AA mounting would be better represented with 3 dimensional wire the mounting is quite well detailed as well as the inclusion of a nicely cast MG34. In set 323 there is the turret mounted smoke grenade brackets and separate tops for the rear hull tool boxes which can be then be shown open if you wish.
Overall a couple of nice detail sets for the respective Panther kits that will add plenty of fine details and the inclusion of the resin pieces is a small bonus.
Thanks to Bill of CMD for the review sets, the full Royal Model range is available from the Chesapeake Model Design website.
Page created 15 February 2004