1:48 ammo for Panther

Hauler 1:48 ammunition for the Panther

This accessory set from the Czech maker Hauler offers small ammunition parts in 1:48 scale tied to the Panther tank. It is not a kit but a detail for a finished model. It comes out best where you can see into the vehicle, and in scenes where a crew is bringing up supplies or stacking rounds on the ground beside the hull.

The real subject

The Panther was a German medium tank of the Second World War with heavily sloped frontal armor and a 7.5 cm gun 70 calibers long. That long barrel is the key to understanding its ammunition: the gun reached a high muzzle velocity thanks to a large case, so the round was unusually long and slender for its caliber. It was stowed mainly in racks along the sides of the hull, which bore directly on the layout of the vehicle's interior.

Building and painting tips

The striking length of the round is at the same time what makes the set an interesting detail - next to the ammunition of other vehicles you can compare it at a glance, so it pays to place it where the whole round is visible, not just its tip. Cut the parts off with a sharp scalpel or a fine saw over a tray; a small piece is easy to lose. Wash resin castings first in warm water with detergent; they are bonded with super glue. Paint away from the model: a brass metallic on the case (stir it thoroughly, the pigment settles to the bottom), a matte darker color on the projectile, a dark wash in the transition. Fingerprints and dust on the ammunition will benefit a scene - perfectly clean metal looks sterile.

Who the set is for

• For builders of the Panther in 1:48 scale
• For diorama builders putting together a loading and resupply scene
• For modelers with an open hatch or a suggested interior
• For collectors who want a small but telling detail in a display case

This is an accessory set, not a model in its own right. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package.