D.M.L. – Dragon

Series: ARMOR

DRR 60322 - PANTHER G, Panzer V (Sd.Kfz. 171) late production.

w/Steel-rimmed road wheels.

Pz.Rgt.24 Eilendorf, Germany 1944 

Cyber-Hobby Exclusive Limited Edition w/COA numbered card.

Die Cast & Plastic

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

Cyber-Hobby is a Hong Kong retail company that has long time cooperation with Dragon that released a long list of special exclusive models for them.

This particular model was released in 2008 and presented with unique features for Panther G model by Dragon that makes this particular model very desirable by collectors.  It is the only Panther G that they produced with steel-rimmed road wheels.  A trial series with such wheels was produced in September 1944.  In addition it is the only late production model that presented with the regular type gun mantlet.  While only a small number of ‘G’ were produced with steel-rimmed wheels majority were produced with regular type gun mantlet.

Please note that the model doesn’t include an MG for mounting on the commander cupola.  The model packed in a standard “large” Dragon display case and outer carton box, which on a bottom also shows “Cyber-Hobby” logo.  Standard “Cyber-Hobby” plastic COA card packed under the display case.

PANTHER Tank.

Panzerkampfwagen V Ausf D (Sd Kfz 171) Panther 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 too 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 (88mm at front) 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 and wide tracks that provided a good cross country compatibility.  Hitler ordered the development of new tank in 30-ton class after Germans study Russian T-34.  The vehicle should be similar to the T-34.  The order was issued on November 25, 1942.  Development of chassis was given to MAN and Daimler-Benz, and Rheinmetall-Borsing was responsible for the development of a turret.  Original preferences were for the Daimler-Benz project VK3002(DB), which closely followed the layout of the Russian T-34 and should be powered by a diesel engine.  Daimler Benz was ordered 200 units, however in May 1942 after comparing the statistics and prints Hitler changed his mind and ordered MAN project into production.  The new tank was rushed into production with the goal of 250 to be built by the May 1943 when the Germans planned to start the Summer Offensive.

The new tank became known as the “Panther “.  Originally it was a troublesome tank, numerous problems were discovered after first series or Ausf D tanks arrived on the Eastern Front.  However, necessary changes and upgrades were made and the tank becomes arguably the best overall tank of the WW II.  Though medium tank according to German classification, which was based on the caliber of the tanks main gun, this 43 tons (increased to 44.8 for Ausf A and 45.5 for Ausf G) tank was similar in armour and armament to heavy tank standards of Allies armies.  Three major modifications (Ausf.) D, A and G were in production during the war with F, which was dramatically improved version, was ready but didn’t entered into mass production.   850 of Ausf D were produced from January to September 1943.  Ausf A the second series went into production in August of the same year the second series of the Panther entered into production, unusually for Germans designation system this was designated as Ausf A.   This variant share similar basic design with Ausf D but a series of modifications and improvements were made in order to improve performance and reliability.  Changes were made through entire tank.  Among those that can be seeing on the model are: the hull letter-box flap MG port was replace with the ball-mount, new commander cupola was introduced, an episcope was installed for the loader on the right side of the turret roof, the small ammunition loading hutch and latter during production the turret pistol ports were eliminated, the roof mounted “Nahverteidgungswaffe” (close-defense weapon) was installed, during the production binocular telescope was gradually replaced by the monocular.   The number of wheel-rim bolts was doubled exhaust was modified.   Series of mechanical improvement were made in order to improve dependability of the drive-train.  Frontal armor on the turret increased from 100 to 110 mm.

Ausf G the third series

Series was farther improvements of Panther; it reflects recommendeations received from the troops operating D and A versions on the battlefield and technological experiences gained during the production of earlier versions.  The hull was redesigned the side plate become a single piece the thickness of upper hull side increased for 10 mm and was installed with 30 degree rather previously 40 degree, stowage for main gun ammunition increased from 79 to 81, the driver’s vision port was removed from the front plate in order to improve straight.  The driver was provided with a rotating periscope, controls were extended and driver’s seat can be raised that allowed him to drive with his had out of the hatch.  Both driver’s and radio operator/machine gunner’s were changed from pivoting to hinged version.   During the production cycle additional changes and improvements were made.  On late production Ausf G tanks the rearmost damper was deleted, many minor changes designed to improved the drive-train were made, a gear box cooler was fitted, 3 mm armored ammunition bins were installed.  In September 1944 exhaust was upgraded with high efficiency flame-trap type mufflers and in the same month a trial production series was equipped with steel-rimmed ‘silent bloc’ wheels that were to be standardize for production in 1945 for new F series Panther and Tiger II tanks and a proportion of produced turrets were equipped with a new gun mantlet the design of which prevents deflection of rounds through the thin hull top armour.   Started from October 1944 tanks were equipped heating system for a fighting compartment (a tower with a fan was installed on the left side engine fan). 

Panther G fought on both Eastern and Western Fronts.   Usually it comprised over half the tank strength of the Panzer Divisions.   Approximately 450 Panthers were available at the beginning of the Ardennes offensive.

Type: heavy medium tank

Other Designations: Panther I, VK3002, Pz Kpfw Panther (Ausf G)

Manufacturer:  MAN, Daimler-Benz, MNH

Production:  3,128 produced from March 1943 to April 1944

Crew:  5

Weight :  45.5 tons

L 8.86m /29’ 0.8”, W 3.4m / 11’ 2”, H 2.98 m / 9’ 9.33”

Speed: 46 km/h 28 mphwas

Range: 200 km / 121 miles

Armament: 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 high velocity gun w/79 rounds of ammunition and two 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns w/4,800 rounds of ammunition.

Armor: (mm/degree) Turret front 110/11, rear and side 45/25, top 16/84-90

Hull upper 80/55, side 50/30 top/bottom 40 & 16/-90; lower 60/55, side 40/0, rear 40/30, top/bottom 30-16/90

Ausf F prototypes

Was fully developed and ready for production and supposed to replace G in 1945.  Equipped with a new design by Daimler-Benz ‘Schmal’ (narrow) turret that has much smaller front area, conical gun mantlet, overall better armor protection, MG42 coaxial machine gun,  range-finder bulges in the turret side, but still has a lighter weight compare to old turret.  The turret was planned to install on both Panther F and Panther II that was under design and should share a lot of standardized parts with Tiger II.

The hull top armor protection increased to 25mm, new hatch design for driver and radio operator (lifted slighted and moved to the side type), MG42 machine gun mount was redesign for MP44, radio and ammunition stowage arranged in the way that allowed troops in the field to install additional radio in the turret for the command version (each turret was supplied with necessary second antenna), steel-rimmed wheels were to become standard, a the mount on the turret roof was able to accept a wireless set or the anti-aircraft mount for MG42.  With all changes the total weight was reduced to 45 tons and max speed increased to 55 km/h 33.25 mph.

Farther improvements of the turret were planned with provision for mounting a 8.8 cm gun and stabilized sight, but neither goal was achieved.   Fortunately for Allies the Ausf F didn’t went into production.  They say that only 8 hull and a handful of prototype turrets were completed by the end of the war.   According to some sources some prototypes were used at the Berlin defense in April – May 1944 but it is questionable information. 

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.

Inquire about a discount for regular customers.