DRAGON

Series -  ARMOR 

DRR 60043 - Panther F

(Schmal turret on the late production Panther G hull with steal-rimmed road wheals.

Berlin 1945 

Die Cast & Plastic

Scale - 1/72,approximately L 3.25” (5.0 w gun); W 1 7/8”

MSRP is $14.95

This is very highly detailed model with superb paintjob; it displays great! 

Dragon ARMOR 1:72 models are: This line features static pre-assembled, pre-painted models made of both diecast and plastic. True to scale; authentically detailed and historically accurate; each WITH its own protective DISPLAY CASE, which is dust resistant and stackable. 

In my personal opinion as a collector models from this series are superior quality that sold at unusually low price

PANTHER Tank.

Pz.Kpfw. V “Panther” or Sd.Kfz.171
Was developed by the Germans as a respond to Russian T-34/76 tank that was a superior to any German Tanks before introduction of the famous deadly Tiger heavy tank in late 1942, which however was to expensive, difficult for manufacturing and maintenance, slow and had limited range. Germans desperately needed something else that was realized in a Panther (medium) tank, which featured thicker slopped armor, that significantly increased protection, armed with long barrel high velocity 75 mm gun that allowed to kill any Allies medium tank on a distance well beyond 1,000 yards.

Two companies presented their designs for the new German standard medium tank Daimler –Benz and MAN the turret for both projects was design by Rheinmetall-Borsig.  Originally Daimler’s design was chosen by Hitler, latter after comparison tactical data, he decided that MAN’S project is superior and will enter into production.  Production was to start in December 1942, with 250 tanks to be completed by May 12, 1943.  Despite with a really big trouble with first production tank, which were rushed to German Summer 1943 offensive in Kursk area this tank became arguably the best overall tank of WW II.

There were three production versions (Ausf) the first one was Ausf D, 850 of which were made from January to September 1943 with first 20 Panther build with 60mm front upper hull plate that was increased to 80mm.  Front plate had a driver armored flap and on the right side a narrow port covered by a flap which was used in order to fire a machine gun.  In August 1943 the new version Ausf A went into production with 2,000 made till May 1944.  Ausf A had a series of modifications to improve performance.  Visual differences are: improved turret design (new commander cupola, ammunition loading latch and side pistol ports were removed a mount for MG34 installed on the commander cupola), ball mounted machine gun replaced letter box flap on the front hull plate, exhaust upgraded, number of wheel-rim bolts doubled.  The last variant in production was Ausf G of which 3,126 were manufactured during March 1944 – April 1945.  Again series of modifications designed to improve performance were made.  The major external difference were: redesigned hull, driver front flap was removed, new type hatches for driver and radio operator, since October tanks were equipped with a combat compartment heating system (a tower with a fun installed on the left side engine compartment ventilation grill), exhaust was modified and some late model had new “chin” type gun mantlet that effectively prevent downward deflection of hits through the thin hull roof armor.

PANTHER Ausf F 

Also known as Panther with the small turret.  The order was given to Daimler-Benz to develop the new “Schmal” (narrow) turret.  The turret was planed to use with Panther G and Panther II and had to have the same size turret ring but has narrow better protected front armor plate with conical gun mantlet, increased up to 25mm of hull roof, modified driver’s and hull gunner’s hatches, .  It should had a provision to mount 88 mm KwK gun with stabilized sight that wasn’t reached by the end of the war. Though armor protection was increased new turret design allowed overall tank weight reduction.  The designation of the Schmal turret was Great 710 (Schmal Turn 605).

Specific features: The new “Schmal” turret design with conical gun mantlet with 7.5cm KwK42/1 L/70 gun, coaxial MG and thicker front armor plate; hull roof armor plate increase to 25mm; new design for driver and hull gunner hatches; hull machine-gun mount to accept MP44 instead of MG, radio and ammunition stowage design in a way that will allow a field conversion to a command tank (required second radio set in the turret) required second antenna was already on each turret; the Flugaabwehrgerat (anti-aircraft mount) installation was prepared to such an extent that the crew could install the rest of the parts.  The steel-rimmed “silent bloc” wheels were to become standard during the production.

Information regarding combat history is incomplete and controversial.

According to some sources the Ausf F didn’t go into series production with reports indicate that one prototope on Panther G hull with Schmal turret was completed in January 1945, 8 hulls were produced by Daimler-Benz in 1945, but only prototype turret (without key components) had been completed at this time.  Tanks never used in combat, but other sources stated that some Panther F were completed by Daimler-Benz by the end of April 1945 and possible were used in Berlin defense and even managed to destroy some Russian tanks.  Obviously Dragon developers assumed the last version of the Panther F history.

Turret                     120/20                   60/25      60/25   40/90           
 

I am an authorized D.M.L. – Dragon dealer and going to receive all upcoming models from this line.

INQUIRE FOR A DISCOUNT FOR REGULAR CUSTOMERS.