IPMS/USA Kit Review: Dragon Models Ltd 1/35 Sd.KFZ.171 Panther G w/ Zimmerit

Dragon Models Ltd

1/35 SdKfz.171 Panther G w/ Zimmerit

Kit Number: 6384

Reviewed by Rod Lees, IPMS# 10821

MSRP: $49.95
Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com

I do armor on a limited basis and, since I just finished up Tamiya’s Panther G, I thought this would be an interesting exercise to compare the engineering and presentation of these kits.

I will say up front, the Tamiya kit was easier to build. It is simpler, and details are good for a guy like me. HOWEVER, Dragon’s kit beats the Tamiya version in many respects.

"Whatchagit"…596 parts, 16 of which are clear, two resin storage bins with "battle damage" (or careless operator dents), lengths of metal tow cable with cable terminals in styrene; DS tracks with hollow guide bars and detail on both sides of the track; a photo-etch fret with grating for the intake system, a bag of metal hangar hooks, "Magictrack" links ® for hanging off the hull and turret…and hope you have time on your hands.

For starters: The lower hull running gear is articulated on the Dragon kit; there are separate torsion bars, and the wheels are a press-fit on the axles. Two types of transmission drive covers, your choice. There are fine details on the road wheels, with nice, crisp wheel/tire demarcations. I started by installing all the suspended axles in their respective locations. I learned after the fact the rear idler axle was designed as a "tensioner" for the tracks when they are installed; if you do it correctly, you can adjust the track sag while allowing the suspension to move to meet any terrain you intend to display the model on. Cool (diorama builders, drool here). The upper hull has Zimmerit applied to the major parts; there is an extra sprue to cover the modifications. Weld detail is precise; almost too well done (any welders out there that can do a four foot section without an error?)

Like most armor builds, this one was an exercise in assembly and patience, rewarded when you take your time. You can choose which radiator fans you prefer; they can be seen under the engine deck intakes. The lift hooks for the aft portions of the engine deck are separate items, and require care so as not to lose them. Grab handles are in the right places, and in scale. The main gun barrel is a single-piece item, preventing the ‘banana’ effect that sometimes occurs when you have to assemble two barrel halves… Not to mention the annoyance of having to sand the seam (with the possible result of ending up with an oval barrel). The muzzle brake has the mounting nut as a separate part that fits inside, with the face plate enclosing all. (see sprue shot) A basic breech assembly is included and can be seen inside the turret. The mounting for the turret has gear teeth, but that can’t be seen when the turret is in place. One nice detail is the turret sits just a smidge proud of the top of the tank in prototypical fashion… nice. Tools on the racks are a step above what we have seen from the "old" days; separate items with delicate brackets and mounting fittings. I understand DML have released these as a separate kit; diorama additions without destroying them! The jack assembly can even be shown in the extended position and, in today's vernacular, "how cool is that?".

Things I noted for the "step above": clear periscopes for the kit. Details are included for the interior of hatches as well as exterior. The flare gun discharge chute is hollow, with breech detail on the inside. The forward glacis plate MG-34 has a hollow flash hider, and the interior detail on the weapon is extremely well done, even if you can’t see it with the hatches closed. The mounting racks on the aft of the tank have separate mount pins, which slide nicely into the rack elbows -- more of that slide-molding technology at work. Magic track ® is pretty cool stuff; probably would be a hair removal exercise to build up an entire set of tracks with them, but they look great on the side of the kit. The separate, hollow guide teeth add to the effect. I also liked the tracks; they were a light tan color, and responded well to Tenax 7 for cementing, with Krylon Flat black for a color coat.

The kit provides an interior for the cupola, with clear periscopes adding to the effect. No MG-34 is provided for the AA mount; nor is a figure provided. DML has plenty of options here, as do Tamiya, which I shall address later when I have time. This is, after all, an out-of-box build.

When it came time to paint, I chose a basic Normandy scheme; Tamiya rattle-can TS-3 dark yellow overall, with Model Master Panzer green and dark brown for the mottling. Decals are by Cartograf, which means success in any language. I gloss coated using Krylon acrylic spray, decaled, then misted Krylon flat coat over everything. Great stuff, provides a bit of flat without too much thickness, and is a lot cheaper than the small rattle cans I usually use.

My rating: About as high as you can get. The fit was perfect, assembly was accurate and not too tedious (although I share the universal hatred of painting road wheels with just about everyone…). Ten years ago this kit would not have been possible, so technology moves on. I found it would be well worth the price and, in many ways, a step up over the competition. I look forward to more Dragon kits… they just keep getting better!