1:16 PzKpfw. V PANTHER Ausf. D No.445 51st Battal.

The real subject

The Ausf. D was the first production design of the German Panther medium tank and it differs from the later versions at first glance. The commander's cupola has a cylindrical shape with vision slits in the wall, and the frontal armor of the hull lacks a ball mount for the machine gun; in its place there is only a narrow hinged flap. The 75 mm gun with its long barrel remains common to the whole range, and it is precisely by that that the Panther is recognized even from a distance.

What the sheet offers

The decals are in 1:16 scale, that is, for large models, where every marking reads even from a distance and an inaccuracy in placing shows at once. The sheet carries the markings of the vehicle with the tactical number 445. Which elements belong on the turret, on the hull and on the side plates is shown by the drawing enclosed with the decals.

Application step by step

• First check in the instructions whether the sheet is not self-adhesive; soaking ruins a self-adhesive film irretrievably, whereas a wet decal can be soaked later as well.
• With the wet version, cut the design out close to the edge, soak it and let it release from the backing.
• Coat the spot under the decal with gloss varnish, otherwise a silvery veil appears.
• Apply the softener thinly and leave the sheet alone until it has dried.
• At the end, cover all the markings with varnish in a sheen to match the rest of the model.

Who it is for

The sheet will be appreciated by builders of large models who want a particular vehicle instead of generic markings, and also by owners of radio-controlled models at this scale. The model, paints and varnish are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.