In the first of a series of news releases, Dragon gives the Inside Story on the first in their new ''Smart Kit'' series - the Panther G.

Vinnie

Panther G - The Inside Story

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Gday Vinnie
The way this reads is that Dragon have left no turn unstoned in covering the 'extras' themselves... Do we get a 100% satisfaction guarantee that all bases are covered? I mean, in the past we have kits which have SOME foundry casting numbers, but not all (I mean the obvious ones; not say 3" markings on the side of the lifting rings etc) and the right whatzit or doodad for that production run...? Don't get me wrong, their formula here sounds like gold, but forgive me for being a little sceptical, as they are basing their reputation and selling points on the 'accuracy with simplicity' angle... I would be surprised that the human error quotient has been totally covered...
Just my 2 sheckels worth
Cheers
Brad

Bradley, it's a plasic kit. You don't get guarantees. :-) :-) :-)

Vinnie

hehe touche, Vinnie! :-)

I wonder if this means that they are gonna adding zimmerit to their models. I know some modellers would like this. These smart kits look very interesting. Cnat wait to scope it out at the LHS.

Yes, the zimm would be a good thing. No more 20-30-bucks for aftermarket or trying to make your own, that would be a GREAT thing. :-)

I know there are no absolutes in the world of WWII German armor modeling, but this 'late' panther ( no Mg rail mount, flame dampening exhausts, chinned mantlet and crew compartment heater 'tower' on the rear deck, fewer engine deck bolts, cast angular exhaust outlets and track guide 'skid') would be a post-zimmerit beast.

But since it looks like there is the option to build the kit w/o the mantlet or tower and with the engine deck with full set of bolts, zimm might be in order.

If they were to provide zimm for early G's or even their A's that would be great, as long as they did a better job than Italeri..
oh,
wait,
They already have!

Mike

I've posted this up on Missing Links too, let's see which site comes up with the answer first.

And before the moaning and wailing about 'poor DML, why oh why are you picking on them...' starts, I am REALLY excited about this kit!
It's got LOADS of details never before kitted in plastic. I'm just a little nutty about Panthers and would have loved to see this detail added too.

The thought just occured to me that Dragon is not planning on adding the one thing that no other plastic or even adtermarket manufacturer has added to a Panther kit so far..

Considering that there are only a few photos with the flame dampening 'hoods' installed, but that these hoods are in the kit. Then this detail must be pretty rare.
Likewise with the skid behind the sprocket instead of the rubber rimmed wheel.

Anyone?

Anyone?

Beuller?

.
.
.
.

Admittedly, it is a detail so esoteric as to be nearly impossible to be certain is completely correct. I'm only aware of a couple of photos that even show it. And admittedly the vast majority of Panthers did not have this detail, but still.. it does appear in a photo or two.

Last hint.

It's an exterior detail, and large enough to be plainly visable.

Mike

Too late!
3 folks over on ML guessed I was thinking of the IR storage box on the rear hull.

Seems like an oversight to me, but hey... I'm a self-admitted Panther nut.

Mike