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Academy Kit #13018 1/25 Panther Ausf. G (Late Version) |
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Reviewed By Jack Bruno, #25313 |
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This is the latest boxing of
the 1/25 Panther Ausf. G (Late Version) from ACADEMY, kit#13018.
This kit was originally motorized and still has the mounts and tooling to
prove it. From fender to end of the hull,
the kit measures a whopping 10 1/2 inches long. Included in the kit
are some common sprues with the 1/25 Jagdpanther. Of note is the 88
mm gun and gun collar. I've got to think of something to do with
that 88! The late "G" featured a raised fan on the rear deck and late style exhaust flame suppressors. This kit also includes the late style chin mantlet that was common to all later "G's." There are enough decal numbers to represent a variety of units that the Panther G served with on both Eastern and Western Fronts. Being such a brute of a kit, ACADEMY thoughtfully molded the plastic track in two sections per side. The track also has some nice detail on both sides, with the bare minimum of clean up. NICE TOUCH!!! When mounting the tracks on the kit, consult your reference pictures here......the pictures of the built up model on the both sides of the box show the track not sitting on any road wheels at all. The track should be sitting flush on the third set of wheels. This is in error. There is no flash on the sprues, and very few pin marks to fill and remove. The running gear itself sits on movable torsion bars, which is very nice if your setting is going to be a base that includes groundwork. The tools are also very well represented, and with added detail such as wood handles and scratch built clamps/mounts, could make this kit stand tall! I suppose I could get into all the technical stuff, but this is modeling.......REMEMBER? I found out that the only reference I needed was the ACHTUNG PANZER Series, No. 4 on the Panther. Using this, any modeler can add further detail such as lock pins / clamps / clips / L-Bars / chains...... you name it, it's in the book. This is not a very hard armor piece for a novice. It might even be a great way to get into advanced detailing because of it's large scale. A great kit can be made with some enhancements and scratch building. I've always been a big fan of large scale armor and this is a joy of a build. BUT, the fun starts with the additions to the ACADEMY Panther you can make. See you next time........ PANZERS, MAAAAARSCH!! |
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