Cyber-Hobby

1/35 Panzer Kampfwagen Panther II with OVM set and German Volkssturm

Kit Number: CHC-9103

Reviewed by  Rob Folden, IPMS# 45545 Figures by  Don Barry, IPMS# 32102

MSRP: $34.99 Website: www.dragonusaonline.com Catering to the modeler on a budget, Cyber-Hobby has begun a series of kits featuring classic Dragon kits upgraded with new parts, tracks and figures. As part of the series, they have released Dragon’s Panther II paired with a set of German Volkssturm figures [circa Berlin, 1945]. The set also includes Dragon’s German OVM tool set. Boxed in the new Cyber-Hobby "Orange Box’ packaging, the set features seventeen sprues of light grey plastic [four of which hold the tracks], as well as figure sprues and several weapons sprues [I counted 3 in my box]. Also included are a length of thread for the tow cable and a set of decals which includes kill markings and turret numbers. A small set of PE is also included. As is standard with the "Orange Box" kits, the instructions are a sized down copy of the original Dragon ones. I found this to be a benefit, as it takes up less room on the workbench. However, Step 3 features a "1:1 Scale" bending diagram for the PE muffler brackets. I found that it was, in fact, not 1:1 scale; it was more like 3:4 or even 2:3 scale. Either way, its best to shape the piece using the actual muffler and not the diagram. The construction is fairly simple. The PE parts provided are a little difficult to remove from the fret as they are stainless steel, not brass. They will need annealing before bending can be done. Some steps give the option of using the kit tools or the provided OVM tools. I opted for the OVM tools; however they do not have molded on brackets, and no PE ones are provided. The barrel is molded in two parts, careful sanding [and very little putty] will result in one that looks metal. The major drawback to this kit is, in my opinion, the tracks. They are molded as three-piece individual links. The Panther II used the Tiger II transport track. The tracks were solid cast iron, with connector/spacers in between each link. Since the track was off-center on the drive sprocket, there was a large spacer, and a small spacer. In scale, this meant for a lot of cutting parts off the sprues, and a lot of clean-up of parts. I assembled the tracks in sections, using Tamiya super thin glue. After a short setting time, I draped them on the running gear and shaped them. Once a full track was assembled on the model, some locking tweezers and various other "gizmos" were used to hold everything in place while the glue dried overnight. The drive sprocket and idler wheel were left unglued at this point. The tracks and wheels were then removed for painting and glued in place at the end. Painting German WWII subjects is possibly my favorite pastime. [Well, next to baseball, air shows, going to the shooting range, golf, car shows, etc.] I started by priming everything in light grey, followed by a preshading of medium grey. The tracks were then removed and painted in Tamiya gun-Metal. They were then sprayed with thinned down Tamiya Flat Earth [about a 1:3 paint to thinner mix]. This was sprayed on in a blotchy manner as not to completely cover the gun-metal. The same was done with Red-Brown and Flat Brown; however these were sprayed in a random fashion. The tracks were then given a wash of black India-Ink [India Ink, Dish soap, and alcohol]. The last step was to dry-brush the tracks with Floquil Old Silver. The rest of the tank received a coat of Tamiya Dark Yellow [lightened with 10% white]. The camouflage was done freehand, using my trusty Iwata HP-C Airbrush [the brown was done with a Badger 150]. The green is Tamiya Medium green, while the brown is Tamiya’s Red-Brown mixed with Buff and White. The pattern provided in the instructions looked too much like modern NATO camo for my tastes. So I opted for what I thought was my own design, yet I later found out it was a proper camo pattern for the time frame. [And keep in mind, the Panther II never saw full production]. The tank then received a wash of Burnt Umber Oil. The mufflers received a bit of extra weathering in the form of Bragden Powders. The decals went on with little trouble. I chose a few kill markings, as my tank is a fictional one anyway. The turret number is also fictional [it’s actually my old Badge number]. A small note, the kit paint scheme features black turret numbers with a white outline. The decals are red numbers, with a white outline. I did not use the barrel stripes, as the decal for them does not wrap fully around the barrel. Overall, I was very pleased with the kit. It’s very straight forward, and the low number of parts and PE makes it a very quick build. Even the tracks were completed in a couple of nights. The addition of the figures and OVM tools is great. The tools are much crisper than the kit tools, and seem to actually fit the hull better. I had a great time building this one, and even more fun painting it. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Dragon Models USA for providing the kit for review, and to IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review it. Author’s note: The figures for this kit were built and painted by a fellow IPMS club member, Mr. Don Barry. I consider him somewhat of an expert in German uniforms, and one of the best figure painters around. There are no instructions for assembling the figures, so Don built them based on his extensive knowledge and references of German WWII infantry. After priming them, he painted the base colors with Tamiya Acrylics and did the details and weathering with Enamels and Oils. They came out great, and I would like to extend my thanks to him for assisting me with this review.