1:72 Sd.Kfz.171 Panther G Late Production

Sd.Kfz.171 Panther Ausf. G of late production 1:72 – a Dragon kit

An injection-molded plastic kit of the Panther medium tank in the Ausf. G version, the late production series form, in 1:72 scale from Dragon. The model is meant to be glued and painted. The contents of the box, the number of parts and the number of decal schemes are given on the packaging.

The real subject

Sd.Kfz.171 was the service designation of the German Panther medium tank. The Ausf. G version was the most numerous form of the type: it had reworked hull sides with one-piece sloped plates and without the driver's vision port. The armament was a 7.5 cm gun with a long barrel, and the power came from a Maybach spark-ignition V12. The late production series differs from the earlier examples in details introduced at the end of production, among them a reinforced lower part of the gun mantlet; the form of the road wheels, the exhausts and small external fittings also changed. It is exactly these marks that decide how to place a model in a particular period.

Building and painting tips

First finish the running gear and the bottom of the hull, while the parts are still accessible. Glue the plastic parts with a thin cement applied with a brush. A base color before the paint itself gives the camouflage scheme its adhesion, and an airbrush helps with soft transitions. At the end a wash into the engraved lines and pigments for dust and mud effects on the running gear are worth doing.

Who the model is for

• Modelers focused on Second World War equipment in 1:72 scale
• Collectors who want to compare the early and the late production series side by side
• Builders of dioramas where there is room for several vehicles
• Modelers with basic experience of building vehicles

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.