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Osprey Publishing |
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Modelling the Panther Tank |
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by Steve van Beveren |
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Reviewed By Andrew Birkbeck, #27087 |
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MSRP: $18.95 USD This book represents the 30th in Osprey Publishing’s modeling series, and consists of 82 pages measuring 7.5 by 9.75 inches, with all photographs within the book in color. Those of you familiar with this series will find no surprises within the pages of the Panther book. The author starts with a very brief introduction to the vehicle under discussion, the famed German WW2 Panther tank, along with the models that have been released in 1/35th scale covering this subject (no coverage is given to any other scale besides 1/35th in this book). Next we receive a few pages covering the various tools and materials used in the construction of the models covered by the book, before jumping into the “meat” of the title chapters covering the following models: Chapter 1/ Panther Ausf. A Early Chapter 2/ Panther Ausf. D Chapter 3/ Panther Ausf. G Late Chapter 4/ Bergepanther Ausf. A and Pantherturm Following these main chapters, we are treated to a photo Gallery of 5 pages covering Panther models of various marks built by other modelers such as David Parker, Sam Dwyer and Manus Gallagher, well known to anyone who reads the various armor model magazines or visits the best known of the armor model web sites. Ending the book we have one page describing the Panthers that exist around the world in various museums, as well as pages covering further reading material, websites, and lists of Panther kits, along with mounds of aftermarket detail sets to enhance the basic kits. As stated, each main chapter has the author taking a basic Panther kit, and then “going to work” on it using various aftermarket products complimented by scratch built additions. Chapter 1 on the Panther Ausf. A is listed as skill level “Intermediate”, and the author shows the reader how he applied the model’s zimmeritt coating, how he added various aftermarket resin and photo etched products to enhance the basic kit, along with various painting and weathering techniques. The written prose is supplemented by good photographic coverage of the kit under construction. Chapter 2, covering the Panther Ausf. D, is listed as an “Advanced” project, and again the author covers his building of the kit concerned, along with the addition of various resin and photo etched sets, plus his use of scratch built parts. As with Chapter 1, there are lots of photos covering the kit under construction, covering all the detail added, along with painting and weathering techniques, and this time soldering techniques for building the photo etched sets. Chapter 3 is a “Master” project, covering the Panther Ausf. G Late Version. In this the author builds a complete interior for both the hull and the turret of the tank, employing some after market detail sets, but also an amazing amount of scratch building. The detail incorporated into this project is truly “masterful” and shows what is being done at the heights of the hobby today. Again, there are lots of photos of the model under construction. Finally, Chapter 4 covers two different projects: the “Advanced” Bergepanther Ausf. A project followed by a secondary Pantherturm mini project, which was the German’s use of the Panther turret as a fixed fortification. In the case of the Bergepanther, the author incorporates the model into a simple single figure “diorama”, and as such there are basic base building techniques covered along with the normal detailing of the kits, painting techniques etc. As a Panther fan, this book has given me a great deal of inspiration to go down and grab one of my Panther models, and start work immediately. By following the construction, painting and weathering techniques described within the book’s pages, I should be able to improve my modeling skills. A read of the text and looking carefully through the photos contained within this book, I can’t fail but to be inspired. Recommended to anyone with a stack of 1/35th Panther models looking for some inspiration! |
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