In Box Review of Shanghai Dragon 1/35th Scale
German Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf. G "Night-fighting Panther"
Kit no. 9045
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION. However, it is available at 2 locations overseas on the web. Copyright date is 1997. I paid $19.98 for this kit back then.
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION. However, it is available at 2 locations overseas on the web. Copyright date is 1997. I paid $19.98 for this kit back then.
HISTORY:
The Panther is a German medium tank deployed during World War II on the Eastern and Western Fronts in Europe from mid-1943 to the war's end in 1945. It had the ordnance inventory designation of Sd.Kfz. 171.
It was designated as the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther until 27 February 1944, when Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral "V" be deleted. Contemporary English language reports sometimes refer to it as the Mark V.
The Panther was intended to counter the Soviet T-34 and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV. Nevertheless, it served alongside the Panzer IV and the heavier Tiger I until the end of the war. It is considered one of the best tanks of World War II for its excellent firepower and protection, although its reliability was less impressive.
The Panther was a compromise. While having essentially the same engine as the Tiger I, it had more efficient frontal hull armor, better gun penetration, was lighter and faster, and could traverse rough terrain better than the Tiger I.
The trade-off was weaker side armor, which made it vulnerable to flanking fire. The Panther proved to be effective in open country and long range
engagements, but did not provide enough high explosive firepower against infantry.
The Panther was far cheaper to produce than the Tiger I, and only slightly more expensive than the Panzer IV. Key elements of the Panther design, such as its armor, transmission, and final drive, were simplifications made to improve production rates and address raw material shortages.
The overall design remained somewhat over-engineered. The Panther was rushed into combat at the Battle of Kursk despite numerous unresolved technical problems, leading to high losses due to mechanical failure.
Most design flaws were rectified by late 1943 and the spring of 1944, though the bombing of production plants, increasing shortages of high quality alloys for critical components, shortage of fuel and training space, and the declining quality of crews all impacted the tank's effectiveness.
Though officially classified as a medium tank, its weight is more like that of a heavy tank, as its weight of 44.8 tons puts it roughly in the same category as the American M26 Pershing (41.7 tons), British Churchill (40.7 tons) and the Soviet IS-2 (46 tons) heavy tanks.
The tank had a very high power to weight ratio however, making it extremely mobile regardless of its weight. Its weight still caused heavy tank-esque problems however, such as an inability to cross certain bridges.
The Panther is a German medium tank deployed during World War II on the Eastern and Western Fronts in Europe from mid-1943 to the war's end in 1945.
It had the ordnance inventory designation of Sd.Kfz. 171. It was designated as the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther until 27 February 1944, when Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral "V" be deleted. Contemporary English language reports sometimes refer to it as the Mark V.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945 (Nazi Germany), 1944–1947 (France)
Used by: Nazi Germany & France & Imitated use by other military 's
Wars: World War II
Designer: MAN AG
Designed: 1942
Manufacturer: MAN, Daimler-Benz, MNH
Unit cost: 117,100 Reichmarks (Without weapons, optics, or radio), 176.100 Reichmarks (combat ready)
Produced: 1943–1945 (1946- 9 postwar for the British Army)
No. built: about 6,000
Variants: Ausf. D, Ausf. A, Ausf. G, Befehlspanzer (command tank), Beobachtungspanzer (artillery observer vehicle), Bergepanther (armored recovery vehicle)
Weight: 44.8 tonnes (44.1 long tons; 49.4 short tons)
Length: 6.87 m (22 ft 6 in), 8.66 metres (28 ft 5 in) gun forward
Width: 3.27 m (10 ft 9 in), 3.42 m (11 ft 3 in) with skirts
Height: 2.99 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5 (driver, radio-operator/hull machine gunner, commander, gunner, loader)
Armour: up to 100 mm
Main armament: 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70, with 79 rounds
Secondary armament: 2 × 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns with 5,100 rounds
Engine: V-12 petrol Maybach HL230 P30 of 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)
Power/weight: 15.39 PS (11.5 kW)/tonne (13.77 hp/ton)
Transmission: ZF AK 7-200. 7 forward 1 reverse
Suspension: double torsion bar, interleaved road wheels
Fuel capacity: 720 liters (160 imp gal; 190 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 200 km (120 mi), Cross-country: 100 km (62 mi) [4]
Speed: 55 km/h (34 mph) (first models), 46 km/h (29 mph) (later models)
The Panther is a German medium tank deployed during World War II on the Eastern and Western Fronts in Europe from mid-1943 to the war's end in 1945. It had the ordnance inventory designation of Sd.Kfz. 171.
It was designated as the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther until 27 February 1944, when Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral "V" be deleted. Contemporary English language reports sometimes refer to it as the Mark V.
The Panther was intended to counter the Soviet T-34 and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV. Nevertheless, it served alongside the Panzer IV and the heavier Tiger I until the end of the war. It is considered one of the best tanks of World War II for its excellent firepower and protection, although its reliability was less impressive.
The Panther was a compromise. While having essentially the same engine as the Tiger I, it had more efficient frontal hull armor, better gun penetration, was lighter and faster, and could traverse rough terrain better than the Tiger I.
The trade-off was weaker side armor, which made it vulnerable to flanking fire. The Panther proved to be effective in open country and long range
engagements, but did not provide enough high explosive firepower against infantry.
The Panther was far cheaper to produce than the Tiger I, and only slightly more expensive than the Panzer IV. Key elements of the Panther design, such as its armor, transmission, and final drive, were simplifications made to improve production rates and address raw material shortages.
The overall design remained somewhat over-engineered. The Panther was rushed into combat at the Battle of Kursk despite numerous unresolved technical problems, leading to high losses due to mechanical failure.
Most design flaws were rectified by late 1943 and the spring of 1944, though the bombing of production plants, increasing shortages of high quality alloys for critical components, shortage of fuel and training space, and the declining quality of crews all impacted the tank's effectiveness.
Though officially classified as a medium tank, its weight is more like that of a heavy tank, as its weight of 44.8 tons puts it roughly in the same category as the American M26 Pershing (41.7 tons), British Churchill (40.7 tons) and the Soviet IS-2 (46 tons) heavy tanks.
The tank had a very high power to weight ratio however, making it extremely mobile regardless of its weight. Its weight still caused heavy tank-esque problems however, such as an inability to cross certain bridges.
The Panther is a German medium tank deployed during World War II on the Eastern and Western Fronts in Europe from mid-1943 to the war's end in 1945.
It had the ordnance inventory designation of Sd.Kfz. 171. It was designated as the Panzerkampfwagen V Panther until 27 February 1944, when Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral "V" be deleted. Contemporary English language reports sometimes refer to it as the Mark V.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945 (Nazi Germany), 1944–1947 (France)
Used by: Nazi Germany & France & Imitated use by other military 's
Wars: World War II
Designer: MAN AG
Designed: 1942
Manufacturer: MAN, Daimler-Benz, MNH
Unit cost: 117,100 Reichmarks (Without weapons, optics, or radio), 176.100 Reichmarks (combat ready)
Produced: 1943–1945 (1946- 9 postwar for the British Army)
No. built: about 6,000
Variants: Ausf. D, Ausf. A, Ausf. G, Befehlspanzer (command tank), Beobachtungspanzer (artillery observer vehicle), Bergepanther (armored recovery vehicle)
Weight: 44.8 tonnes (44.1 long tons; 49.4 short tons)
Length: 6.87 m (22 ft 6 in), 8.66 metres (28 ft 5 in) gun forward
Width: 3.27 m (10 ft 9 in), 3.42 m (11 ft 3 in) with skirts
Height: 2.99 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5 (driver, radio-operator/hull machine gunner, commander, gunner, loader)
Armour: up to 100 mm
Main armament: 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70, with 79 rounds
Secondary armament: 2 × 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns with 5,100 rounds
Engine: V-12 petrol Maybach HL230 P30 of 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)
Power/weight: 15.39 PS (11.5 kW)/tonne (13.77 hp/ton)
Transmission: ZF AK 7-200. 7 forward 1 reverse
Suspension: double torsion bar, interleaved road wheels
Fuel capacity: 720 liters (160 imp gal; 190 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 200 km (120 mi), Cross-country: 100 km (62 mi) [4]
Speed: 55 km/h (34 mph) (first models), 46 km/h (29 mph) (later models)
THE KIT:
DML Dragon is located in Hong Kong, China. However, they had a facility at Shanghai, China, where this kit was produced. I don't know if that facility exists anymore. I only have one..maybe two kits that were done at Shanghai. DML is a prolific model company that manufactures all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Panther Ausf. G moving across a field with 2 German half-tracks behind it and 2 German infantrymen beside it. One infantryman is aiming his rifle with a infra-red scope on it.
The Panther is in a wave pattern of earth yellow, dark green and red brown with small yellow dots over the green and brown waves, known as "The ambush pattern". No markings are shown on it. The commander is looking out of the upper turret hatch through a infra-red scope.
One of the half-tracks is also mounted with a infra-red scope that one crewman is looking through. In the distance is a burning tank. I cannot identify it.
One side panel has a color box art of a German E-100 Super-heavy tank. No kit no. is provided for it. This is followed by a CAUTION that says when you use paint of cement don't use them near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. This is followed by the kit is not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts with sharp edges, in multiple languages, including English.
Shanghai Dragon's street address in Shanghai is provided with their telephone and FAX numbers. Kit made in China.
DML Dragon is located in Hong Kong, China. However, they had a facility at Shanghai, China, where this kit was produced. I don't know if that facility exists anymore. I only have one..maybe two kits that were done at Shanghai. DML is a prolific model company that manufactures all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Panther Ausf. G moving across a field with 2 German half-tracks behind it and 2 German infantrymen beside it. One infantryman is aiming his rifle with a infra-red scope on it.
The Panther is in a wave pattern of earth yellow, dark green and red brown with small yellow dots over the green and brown waves, known as "The ambush pattern". No markings are shown on it. The commander is looking out of the upper turret hatch through a infra-red scope.
One of the half-tracks is also mounted with a infra-red scope that one crewman is looking through. In the distance is a burning tank. I cannot identify it.
One side panel has a color box art of a German E-100 Super-heavy tank. No kit no. is provided for it. This is followed by a CAUTION that says when you use paint of cement don't use them near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. This is followed by the kit is not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts with sharp edges, in multiple languages, including English.
Shanghai Dragon's street address in Shanghai is provided with their telephone and FAX numbers. Kit made in China.
The other side panel has 3 walk-around color photos of the model made up in the box art scheme and Shanghai Dragon's street address and telephone and FAX numbers repeated.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 14 light gray trees and 3 clear trees in 10 sealed clear cello bags, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 14" x 8 1/4" page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art over the parts trees illustrations. Some part trees shown here have parts blued-out on them. Meaning these parts are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The first assembly step is at the bottom of the page.
Page 3 through 7 give a balance of a total of 20 assembly steps.
Page 8 is the marking and painting instructions. It shows a 4-view of the box art scheme (already described above) and is as the tank looked in Germany in 1945.
The bottom of the page has the decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English.
The light gray letter A tree holds: drive sprockets, idler wheels tools etc. (47 parts) 23 parts are blued-out as being excess.
The kit contains 14 light gray trees and 3 clear trees in 10 sealed clear cello bags, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 14" x 8 1/4" page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art over the parts trees illustrations. Some part trees shown here have parts blued-out on them. Meaning these parts are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The first assembly step is at the bottom of the page.
Page 3 through 7 give a balance of a total of 20 assembly steps.
Page 8 is the marking and painting instructions. It shows a 4-view of the box art scheme (already described above) and is as the tank looked in Germany in 1945.
The bottom of the page has the decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English.
The light gray letter A tree holds: drive sprockets, idler wheels tools etc. (47 parts) 23 parts are blued-out as being excess.
The light gray letter B tree holds: the hull top and turret parts etc. (18 parts) 6 are excess.
The light gray letter C tree holds: more idler wheels etc. (10 parts) 5 are excess.
There are 4 identical light gray trees that are also marked as letter C. These holds individual track links. (48 parts per tree)
There are 2 identical light gray letter D trees. These hold road wheels. (16 parts each)
There are 2 identical light gray letter E trees. These hold more drive sprockets, idler wheels, engine air intake grills etc. (27 parts each) 8 parts are excess.
The light gray letter F tree holds: engine air intake grills, final transfer covers, hatches etc. (40 parts) 18 are excess.
There is no letter G tree.
Light gray letter H is the hull tub part.
Light gray letter H is the hull tub part.
Lettering now jumps to the light gray letter M tree. It holds: the gun barrel, mantle, turret cupola etc. (38 parts) 3 are excess.
There are 3 identical clear letter Z trees. These hold the infra-red scope parts (12 parts per tree)
There are no crew figures or internal detail in the kit. The exterior detail is nice though.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
I have added one of my company's (Armor Research) set. no 5003, a corrected turret for Tamiya's Panther A, that may work on this kit or not and a set of On the Mark brand brass PE, set no. TMP-3525. I also have a set of my Armor Research Jagdpanther Engine Deck Screens.
Recommended.