Academy Kit Number 1341 1/25 Panther G Late Version |
First Look By James Woody, #33899 |
MSRP: $79 USD
Available late July The Panther was designed as a new
heavy tank able to combat the Russian T-34. Until the Panther, German
armor simply could not compete with the T-34. In fact, the Panther was
partially copied from a captured T-34. Prototypes were built and
presented to Hitler on his birthday in April of 1942. Had it not been for
the greater number of Russian tanks, the Panther would have wreaked much
more havoc on the Soviets and throughout all of Europe. It had
outstanding firepower, great mobility, and beautifully sloped armour. The Ausf G included improvements to the transmission, extra armor onto
the upper hull, episcope to improve the driver’s visibility, and increased
ammunition stowage from 79 to 82 rounds. Like all Panthers, the Ausf G was
loaded with a 75mm high velocity gun. The late G version had improved
combat characteristics, including steel-rimmed road wheels and a fighting
compartment heater system. These late Panther G’s donned the new “ambush”
camouflage colors ordered by the OKH. A cleaning gear stowage box was
placed across the hull rear as well. Before the war's end 3,740 Ausf Gs
were produced. The Panther is hailed as the best German tank of World War
II, far superior to any US or British tank at the time. MRC/Academy’s newly tooled Panther G is one monster of a kit. This
motorized 1/25th scale tank’s hull measures nearly 11 inches. This kit is
so large it actually takes 2 joined tracks to cover the wheels, and so
precise it takes 10 sprues to fit all the parts. Its armed with the 75mm
high velocity gun and a machine gun for the commander’s cupola. The kit
features movable torsion bars and realistic wheels. Metal parts are
included. Comes with clear instructions and decal schemes from tanks used
in Germany and Belgium. The Panther G is an Academy product available in hobby shops throughout
the USA. Anyone interested in doing this kit as an online build,
please contact
John
Noack. |
Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®. |