In Box Review of Alby 1/35th Scale
French Panhard AMD 178 Armored Car
Kit no. 326
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Kit has a copyright date of 1995
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Kit has a copyright date of 1995
HISTORY:
The Panhard 178[1] (officially designated as Automitrailleuse de Découverte Panhard modèle 1935,178 being the internal project number at Panhard) or "Pan-Pan" was an advanced French reconnaissance 4x4 armored car that was designed for the French Army Cavalry units before World War II,
It had a crew of four and was equipped with an effective 25 mm main armament and a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun.
A number of these vehicles were in 1940 taken over by the Germans after the Fall of France and employed as the Panzerspähwagen P204 (f); for some months after the armistice of June production continued for the benefit of Germany.
After the war a derived version, the Panhard 178B, was again taken into production by France.
The rear of the same vehicle, showing the position of the second driver; the hull, despite having been repainted with a number belonging to the third production batch, is in fact that of a Panhard 178B. The APX3B turret is of the latest type with a rear episcope
The Panhard 178 (officially designated as Automitrailleuse de Découverte Panhard modèle 1935, 178 being the internal project number at Panhard) or "Pan-Pan" was an advanced French reconnaissance 4x4 armored car that was designed for the French Army Cavalry units before World War II. It had a crew of four and was equipped with an effective 25 mm main armament and a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun.
A number of these vehicles were in 1940 taken over by the Germans after the Fall of France and employed as the Panzerspähwagen P204 (f); for some months after the armistice of June production continued for the benefit of Germany. After the war a derived version, the Panhard 178B, was again taken into production by France.
In December 1931, the French Cavalry conceived a plan for the future production of armored fighting vehicles. One of the classes foreseen was that of an Automitrailleuse de Découverte or AMD, a specialized long range reconnaissance vehicle.
The specifications were formulated on 22 December 1931, changed on 18 November 1932 and approved on 9 December 1932. They called for a weight of 4 metric tons (4.0 t), a range of 400 kilometers (250 mi), a speed of 70 km/h, a cruising speed of 40 km/h, a turning circle of 12 meters (39 ft), 5–8 mm armor, a 20 mm gun and a 7.5 mm machine gun.
In 1933, one of the competing companies — the others being Renault, Berliet and Latil — that had put forward proposals, Panhard, was allowed to build a prototype. The other companies also were ordered to build prototypes: Renault constructed two vehicles of a Renault VZ, including an armored personnel carrier variant, Berliet constructed a single Berliet VUB and Latil belatedly presented a design in April 1934.
The Panhard vehicle was ready in October 1933 and presented to the Commission de Vincennes in January 1934 under the name Panhard voiture spéciale type 178. It carried a Vincennes workshop (Avis) 13.2 mm machine gun turret, as the intended one was not ready yet.
After testing between 9 January and 2 February 1934 the type, despite having larger dimensions than prescribed and thus being a lot heavier than four tons, was accepted by the commission on 15 February under the condition some small modifications were carried out.
Of all the competing projects it was considered the best: the Berliet VUB e.g. was reliable but too heavy and traditional; the Latil version had no all-terrain capacity. In the autumn the improved prototype, now lacking the bottom tracks of the original type, was tested by the Cavalry.
In late 1934 the type was accepted under the name AMD Panhard Modèle 1935. The type was now fitted with the APX3B turret.
After complaints about reliability, such as cracking gun sights, and overheating, between 29 June and 2 December 1937 a new test programe took place, resulting in many modifications, including the fitting of a silencer and a ventilator on the turret.
The ultimate design was very advanced for its day and still appeared modern in the 1970's. It was the first 4x4 armored car mass-produced for a major country.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Armored car
Place of origin: France
In service: April 1937–1964
Used by: France, Nazi Germany (captured)
Wars: World War II, First Indochina War, Vietnam War
Designer: Panhard
Designed: 1933–1937
Manufacturer: Panhard
Unit cost: ₣ 275,000 hull
Produced: February 1937 — ~October 1940
No. built: 729 "A" versions, 414 B version
Variants: Panhard 178B
Weight: 8.2 metric tonnes
Length: 4.79 m with gun
Width: 2.01 m
Height: 2.31 m
Crew: 4
Armor: 20 mm
Main armament: 25 mm SA 35 cannon
Secondary armament: 7.5 mm Reibel machine gun
Engine: Panhard SK of 105 hp
Suspension: leaf spring
Ground clearance: 0.35 m
Operational range: 300 km
Speed: 72 km/h
The Panhard 178[1] (officially designated as Automitrailleuse de Découverte Panhard modèle 1935,178 being the internal project number at Panhard) or "Pan-Pan" was an advanced French reconnaissance 4x4 armored car that was designed for the French Army Cavalry units before World War II,
It had a crew of four and was equipped with an effective 25 mm main armament and a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun.
A number of these vehicles were in 1940 taken over by the Germans after the Fall of France and employed as the Panzerspähwagen P204 (f); for some months after the armistice of June production continued for the benefit of Germany.
After the war a derived version, the Panhard 178B, was again taken into production by France.
The rear of the same vehicle, showing the position of the second driver; the hull, despite having been repainted with a number belonging to the third production batch, is in fact that of a Panhard 178B. The APX3B turret is of the latest type with a rear episcope
The Panhard 178 (officially designated as Automitrailleuse de Découverte Panhard modèle 1935, 178 being the internal project number at Panhard) or "Pan-Pan" was an advanced French reconnaissance 4x4 armored car that was designed for the French Army Cavalry units before World War II. It had a crew of four and was equipped with an effective 25 mm main armament and a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun.
A number of these vehicles were in 1940 taken over by the Germans after the Fall of France and employed as the Panzerspähwagen P204 (f); for some months after the armistice of June production continued for the benefit of Germany. After the war a derived version, the Panhard 178B, was again taken into production by France.
In December 1931, the French Cavalry conceived a plan for the future production of armored fighting vehicles. One of the classes foreseen was that of an Automitrailleuse de Découverte or AMD, a specialized long range reconnaissance vehicle.
The specifications were formulated on 22 December 1931, changed on 18 November 1932 and approved on 9 December 1932. They called for a weight of 4 metric tons (4.0 t), a range of 400 kilometers (250 mi), a speed of 70 km/h, a cruising speed of 40 km/h, a turning circle of 12 meters (39 ft), 5–8 mm armor, a 20 mm gun and a 7.5 mm machine gun.
In 1933, one of the competing companies — the others being Renault, Berliet and Latil — that had put forward proposals, Panhard, was allowed to build a prototype. The other companies also were ordered to build prototypes: Renault constructed two vehicles of a Renault VZ, including an armored personnel carrier variant, Berliet constructed a single Berliet VUB and Latil belatedly presented a design in April 1934.
The Panhard vehicle was ready in October 1933 and presented to the Commission de Vincennes in January 1934 under the name Panhard voiture spéciale type 178. It carried a Vincennes workshop (Avis) 13.2 mm machine gun turret, as the intended one was not ready yet.
After testing between 9 January and 2 February 1934 the type, despite having larger dimensions than prescribed and thus being a lot heavier than four tons, was accepted by the commission on 15 February under the condition some small modifications were carried out.
Of all the competing projects it was considered the best: the Berliet VUB e.g. was reliable but too heavy and traditional; the Latil version had no all-terrain capacity. In the autumn the improved prototype, now lacking the bottom tracks of the original type, was tested by the Cavalry.
In late 1934 the type was accepted under the name AMD Panhard Modèle 1935. The type was now fitted with the APX3B turret.
After complaints about reliability, such as cracking gun sights, and overheating, between 29 June and 2 December 1937 a new test programe took place, resulting in many modifications, including the fitting of a silencer and a ventilator on the turret.
The ultimate design was very advanced for its day and still appeared modern in the 1970's. It was the first 4x4 armored car mass-produced for a major country.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Armored car
Place of origin: France
In service: April 1937–1964
Used by: France, Nazi Germany (captured)
Wars: World War II, First Indochina War, Vietnam War
Designer: Panhard
Designed: 1933–1937
Manufacturer: Panhard
Unit cost: ₣ 275,000 hull
Produced: February 1937 — ~October 1940
No. built: 729 "A" versions, 414 B version
Variants: Panhard 178B
Weight: 8.2 metric tonnes
Length: 4.79 m with gun
Width: 2.01 m
Height: 2.31 m
Crew: 4
Armor: 20 mm
Main armament: 25 mm SA 35 cannon
Secondary armament: 7.5 mm Reibel machine gun
Engine: Panhard SK of 105 hp
Suspension: leaf spring
Ground clearance: 0.35 m
Operational range: 300 km
Speed: 72 km/h
THE KIT:
Alby is a model company based in France.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows 2 Panhard AMD 178's posed against an all white background. Similar to how Tamiya does the majority of their box arts also.
One Panhard is in German markings. It is in a base of sand yellow with dark-green wave pattern. It has the German cross on the sides of the hull and the front of the turret. On the nose is a white WH. I think this is just a part of what should be a license plate with numbers.
The other Panhard is overall green with French roundels on the sides and front.
The two side panels say that the box contains plastic parts, decals and instructions to build model kit to 1/35th scale. Cement and paint are not included. The plastic from which this model is made is absolutely non-toxic. Not suitable for children under 10 years. MADE IN FRANCE.
This is said in 6 languages, including English, over Alby's address in France.
Alby is a model company based in France.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows 2 Panhard AMD 178's posed against an all white background. Similar to how Tamiya does the majority of their box arts also.
One Panhard is in German markings. It is in a base of sand yellow with dark-green wave pattern. It has the German cross on the sides of the hull and the front of the turret. On the nose is a white WH. I think this is just a part of what should be a license plate with numbers.
The other Panhard is overall green with French roundels on the sides and front.
The two side panels say that the box contains plastic parts, decals and instructions to build model kit to 1/35th scale. Cement and paint are not included. The plastic from which this model is made is absolutely non-toxic. Not suitable for children under 10 years. MADE IN FRANCE.
This is said in 6 languages, including English, over Alby's address in France.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 3 dark-gray trees and a loose dark-gray hull top and the decal sheet in a sealed clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8 1/2" x 11" page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the Panhard 178 in French, German and English, above Alby's address in France.
Page 2 and 3 hold a total of 6 assembly steps.
Page 4 is the painting and marking instructions showing 6 schemes. Four of them as 3-views and two as 2-views.
The 1st 3-view is overall green with French roundels on the front and sides of the hull and a black license plate with white MI 7817 on it. The car is as it was seen in France in 1940. Humbrol color number MC 21 is said to use.
The 2nd 3-viw is also overall green with French roundel on turret rear and nose. Under the nose roundel is ace of diamonds sign. There is a white number 14 on the sides of the turret. The black license plate on the front has the white number MI 7632 on it. This car was with the 12th Cuirassiers, France 1941. Humbol MC21 is again said to use.
The third 3-view is a car captured by the Germans. It is panzer gray, with German cross on the nose and rear of the turret. It has a white license plate with black letters on it WH-028766 on the nose. It is with the Wehrmacht, France 1941. Humbrol 67 is said to use.
The fourth 3-view is another car captured by the Germans. It is earth-yellow, with German cross on the sides and both rear fenders. The white license plate on the nose carries WH-1590692 on it. It shows the car as seen in Paris, France in 1944. Humbrol 83 is said to use.
The first 2-view shows a car in overall green. with French roundel on the rear of the turret and the nose. Black license plate has white number MI 99834 on it. This car was with the 5th Dragons, Vichy 1942. Humbrol MC 21 is said to use.
The second 2-view is overall green, with French roundel on the rear of the turret and the nose. Black license plate has white number MI 16161 on it. It is a car with Vichy in 1942. Humbrol MC 21 is said to use.
Below these schemes is line drawings of variants of the Panhard: a radio equipped variant, France 1939-1940, a PC/Command/BefWg, France 1939-1940, a Draisine variant WH 1941-1945, a CDM 25/47mm variant, France 1944-1945, a police variant 4.7cm Pak (t) L/43.4, Paris 1944-1945, a 5cm KwK L/42 variant WH 1943-1945, a 25 mm radio variant WH 1941-1945, A 2 X 7.5 mm radio variant WH 1942-1945 and a Panhard 178/B, France 1945.
None of these versions can be built with parts in this kit.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. The do not have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees and the assembly steps show no numbers. This means careful study of the parts shown in the assembly steps to get the right parts for that assembly. Very bad move Alby!
The 1st dark-gray tree holds: the hull bottom, front and rear walls, exhaust pipe, slotted vision flap, leaf springs (11 parts)
This kit contains 3 dark-gray trees and a loose dark-gray hull top and the decal sheet in a sealed clear cello bag and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8 1/2" x 11" page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the history of the Panhard 178 in French, German and English, above Alby's address in France.
Page 2 and 3 hold a total of 6 assembly steps.
Page 4 is the painting and marking instructions showing 6 schemes. Four of them as 3-views and two as 2-views.
The 1st 3-view is overall green with French roundels on the front and sides of the hull and a black license plate with white MI 7817 on it. The car is as it was seen in France in 1940. Humbrol color number MC 21 is said to use.
The 2nd 3-viw is also overall green with French roundel on turret rear and nose. Under the nose roundel is ace of diamonds sign. There is a white number 14 on the sides of the turret. The black license plate on the front has the white number MI 7632 on it. This car was with the 12th Cuirassiers, France 1941. Humbol MC21 is again said to use.
The third 3-view is a car captured by the Germans. It is panzer gray, with German cross on the nose and rear of the turret. It has a white license plate with black letters on it WH-028766 on the nose. It is with the Wehrmacht, France 1941. Humbrol 67 is said to use.
The fourth 3-view is another car captured by the Germans. It is earth-yellow, with German cross on the sides and both rear fenders. The white license plate on the nose carries WH-1590692 on it. It shows the car as seen in Paris, France in 1944. Humbrol 83 is said to use.
The first 2-view shows a car in overall green. with French roundel on the rear of the turret and the nose. Black license plate has white number MI 99834 on it. This car was with the 5th Dragons, Vichy 1942. Humbrol MC 21 is said to use.
The second 2-view is overall green, with French roundel on the rear of the turret and the nose. Black license plate has white number MI 16161 on it. It is a car with Vichy in 1942. Humbrol MC 21 is said to use.
Below these schemes is line drawings of variants of the Panhard: a radio equipped variant, France 1939-1940, a PC/Command/BefWg, France 1939-1940, a Draisine variant WH 1941-1945, a CDM 25/47mm variant, France 1944-1945, a police variant 4.7cm Pak (t) L/43.4, Paris 1944-1945, a 5cm KwK L/42 variant WH 1943-1945, a 25 mm radio variant WH 1941-1945, A 2 X 7.5 mm radio variant WH 1942-1945 and a Panhard 178/B, France 1945.
None of these versions can be built with parts in this kit.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. The do not have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees and the assembly steps show no numbers. This means careful study of the parts shown in the assembly steps to get the right parts for that assembly. Very bad move Alby!
The 1st dark-gray tree holds: the hull bottom, front and rear walls, exhaust pipe, slotted vision flap, leaf springs (11 parts)
The 2nd dark-gray tree holds the wheels and leaf springs (8 parts)
The 3rd dark-gray tree holds: turret top and bottom and hatch door, main gun, machine guns etc. (12 parts)
The loose dark-gray hull top is next.
There are no clear parts in the kit or any crew figures.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
This is a rather simple kit with few parts. There is no interior detail, but the exterior is nice.
Recommended.
Recommended.