Highs: New molds with very good details. Individual track links.Lows: No photoetch. At 700 parts (and two-piece track links) some may be surprised at the build time requirements.Verdict: Looks like a solid, but limited media, release from Zvezda.
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About Jim Starkweather (staff_Jim) FROM: NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES
I started building models in 1971 when I was 6. My first model was a 1/32 P-40 Warhawk. Revell I believe. From there I moved onto the standard cars, Apollo spacecraft, and other kid orientated kits. I don't know what got me started on Armor. I must have seen a Monogram tank kit one day and said "Mom...
Jim, thanks for the video. This looks like a decent kit, and in a much more affordable price range. I wish they would include some basic etch for screens, but at least there is plenty of aftermarket availability for simple items. The tracks look like AFV Club's that I used for the Zvezda tiger.
I'm researching the available Panther models and this review was a complete look inside the box and showed in detail how the model parts and Jim's comments aere always valuable.
It's nice that Zvezda depicts the alternate hull assembly, with the interlocking joints on the small vertical sections on the upper hull sides not being ground flat (Dragon's kit depicts the beveled type). This is also the first D version to offer the very early "complicated" fan covers for the engine deck. Dragon and ICM only offer the standard, round-edge type with the spiral pattern vanes. There's a build-log of this kit over at Track-Link. The turret shell and mantlet may be a little undersized, he says, so I would be anxious to check those parts against Doyle's drawings. If it is a problem, I hope it's fixable, as the rest of the kit looks so nice.
And the tracks are handed, left and right (by the size of the heads on the track pins), so be careful during assembly not to mix them up.
Some interesting details in this kit ...
I have been looking at my Dragon Panther D kit and I can see as Gerald said ,some improvements and parts that would have been nice to have in the Dragon kit .. The right fan covers.. the early stowage box on the right side. .. Good on Zvezda!
As for the decals, I was planning on doing number 824 and in my research I have noticed that tank had the deep wading snorkel .. an extra stowage box over the left rear air intake... some of the road wheels had been re-enforced with rivets between the bolts (not all of them ) ..
From my info the panther head decal should be either red or brown but I guess it could be black..
One piece I would love to get my hands on are the fender extentions .. Good job Zvezda for including them.
It would have been nice to have the screens for the fans and intakes.
I too have read the blog on TL .. it sounds like the dimensions might off .. Too bad if they messed up but I guess if you don`t sit it beside another Panther on your shelf it won`t show too much...
Thanks for the video Jim ..good job .
Rick
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