Here''s a look at the one you''ve been waiting for! The brand new, first kit of hte new Smart series..............The Panther G!

Vinnie

Dragon's new 'Smart' Panther G



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Vinnie,
Wow...and excellent review of what looks like a really ground-breaking kit release. I almost want to go and buy one and I don't even have time to build anything! :-)

Can't wait to see the finished project. Make sure to take lots of build in-progress pics!

Cheers,
Jim

Greetings all,

Thanks for the review Vinnie. Things just keep getting better and better this year. Amazing detail. Do you know yet what the retail cost of these 'Smart Kits' will be and is there any indication of what models will be included in this series?

Cheers

Al

Alan, I don't nkow what they are going to retail for, it depends on the distributors. As for future kits.............. nothing has been released yet.

Vinnie

Great Models has it listed on their site for $31.95.

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=DML6268

Thanks Vinnie and Jim.

Cheers

Al

Thanks for another great review Vinnie.

Alan, on Dragon's web site there is $37,95. Here'sthe link

Thanks Marcin, I'll add it to the review.

Vinnie

Vinnie,
Any chance we can get pics of the inside of the cupola?

I'm interested in finding out if Dragon molded the heavy sections between the periscopes in place.

I'm really looking forward to this kit!

Mike

Damn that thing looks sweet. I hate being on a budget . Thanks Vinnie for the sneak peak.

Good review Vinnie.
How did you manage to stop building and waste time writing a review?
I can feel a whole new wave of Panthers in the near future.
The quality of the moulding and detail has been much talked about, but thanks to the crystal clear photographs, we do get a good idea of the quality.
What camera do you use?

Thanks Frank. I use a Canon 350D Digital with a Sigma 50mm 1:2:8 DG Macro lens.

Vinnie

Aw, C'mon JIm, there is always time to build (still trying to convince my wife of this)
:-) :-) :-)

Vinnie, this looks like a great kit that should be less intimidating for those of us who are just getting into the detail level that DML kits offer.

Good review Vinnie, and that does look like quite a step forward compared to the Tamiya G. Although, maybe it is the photograph, not sure, the weld beads on the roof look "wrong" to me. Could just be personel taste as well. There looks to be some great detail otherwise

Regards from the Swamp

Hawkeye

I broke my first rule with this kit. "Don't impulse buy". I try to see some build pics or visit the LHS to see what the word is about the kit. But Vinnie got me with his little tease. He actualy had me at Part 2 :-) So i pre-ordred from GM.com. I already ordred the Panthr D prem kit. Looks like its going to be a Panther build all summer. :-)

Thanks for a great review Vinnie. Your photos really show the details beautifully.

Any idea on when this little jewel will be released?

This kit is due out somtime in August in the US. Hopefully I will be able to get my pre-orders in early next week

I'm interested in getting one myself and see how good it is !!

Cheers !!

Alpen

Nice review, I also read the longer build review.

One thing though, since this isn't just a new kit, but a new BREED of kit, I kinda miss your opinion about wether Dragon indeed delivered what they promise.

Not saying I doubt it, but DML give the idea you can build a "master" kit ootb with this and future smart-kits.

How far do they achieve that claim?

That is, does it match or better a Tamiya Panther G with aftermarket sets added?