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Thursday, April 02, 2015 - 12:37 AM UTC
Dragon’s new 1/35 scale kit of this Pz.Beob.Wg. Panther mit 5cm KwK.39/1 variant adds further interest to the already extensive Panther family.
The 43-ton Panther used by Germany was an impressive medium tank, of which production commenced in January 1943. One variant that was needed was an observation post tank, and these were known as the Pz.Beob.Wg.V. (which is short for Panzerbeobachtungswagen V). Rheinmetall was awarded a development contract in 1942, and one of its proposals was to replace the original 7.5cm armament with a 5cm KwK.39/1 gun and a machine gun in a Topfblende (pot mantlet) in place of the usual arrangement. The design included a built-in rangefinder, a T.B.F.2 observation periscope mounted in the turret roof, and a T.S.R.1 spotting periscope. The commander’s cupola was also an interim design featuring seven periscopes.

The turret front plate, Topfblende mantlet, commander’s cupola and periscope cover on the turret roof are all newly tooled. These all combine to give this artillery observation vehicle a distinctive look. Builders will find that the kit assembles easily and accurately thanks to the high-quality pedigree of Dragon’s existing Panther family, plus the easy-assembly DS tracks.

Pz.Beob.Wg.V Panther mit 5cm Kw.K.39/1
Scale - 1/35
Model no. DRA6821
MSRP - $64.99 US


AVAILABLE: June 2015
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Comments

For me, this could be a "buy it" save that I'm just turned off by those DS tracks and am equally tired of the new higher price along with needing AM tracks. I'll wait until the first and second "new kit" blush has faded and this appears at a much lower price. So; interesting subject, high price and DS tracks. I'll wait.
APR 02, 2015 - 06:22 AM
Considering that they have stocks of the sprues ready to go, the box art and packaging costs more than the contents. That's the cost they have to recoup.
APR 02, 2015 - 07:37 PM
If Dragon really wants to make money hand-over-fist with a Panther, bring out the Ausf. A with zimmerit already!
APR 02, 2015 - 10:28 PM
Oh, my... They've taken a Panther D and substituted a 5cm Kwk.39/1 for one of the 7.5 cm guns... I'm under-whelmed... AGAIN!!!
APR 03, 2015 - 05:50 PM
And/Or do a spanking-new Panther II. Their old one has A LOT of issues...
APR 03, 2015 - 05:53 PM
cptcreedmoor? LOVE THAT MONIKER!!! As kids, we used to answer the phone with: "Hello, Creedmoor Rest..." Maybe we're not talking about the same thing..?
APR 03, 2015 - 05:55 PM
I won't even bother- Since I'm a US/Allied FANATIC, I'll just stick to a basic Ausf.D, Ausf.A, Ausf.G, "Panther F", and a "Panther II", Thank You Very Much... ' Course, that's just me... But when we're talking M4 Mediums and derivatives, well, that's ANOTHER STORY...
APR 03, 2015 - 06:00 PM
this is an artillery observation tank....took out the dummy gun & replaced with a pak 38?
MAY 13, 2015 - 03:21 PM
You know this is so wacky looking that when it gets discounted (and it will like all those Beobachtung III's out there) I just might get one.
MAY 13, 2015 - 03:41 PM
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