"Panther" G - the German medium tank

Pz.Kpfw V (SD.Kfz 171) "Panther" - German medium tank, considered one of the best tanks of World War II. This combat vehicle was a response to the Soviet T-34. The first serial versions appeared as early, as 1942, but the "Panther" first appeared on the front lines only in 1943 in the summer at the Battle of Kursk. Due to the very high number of failures and numerous problems of the "childhood" tank, 150 of the 204 combat vehicles used, were lost. Interestingly, however, only a few of these 150 tanks were hit by artillery fire. With these shortcomings removed, the "Panther" gained a reputation as a highly effective tank. This was due to well-placed frontal armor and an excellent anti-tank gun. KwK 42 / L70 cal 75mm. The basic version of the T34/76 didn't stand a chance against the "Panther". Only the appearance of tanks T34 / 85 and IS-2 changed this situation. In turn, the allied tanks "Sherman" could compete with "Panther" only when they were armed with a 17-pound cannon (Sherman "Firefly"). Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that the Achilles heel of this successful design was the weak side armor and the high technical complexity of the entire structure, and therefore the long production time. During the entire war, about 6,000 "Panther" combat vehicles of all versions (Ausf. D, A, G) were produced. The first mass-produced version was the "D" version with 80 mm thick frontal armor and a "Maybach" 230 P30 engine, developing 700 h. p. power. Since 1943 tanks of the second half of this version had side armor screens. "Panther" Ausf .A was launched in 1943. September. A spherical mount for the MG-34 machine gun is installed in its body. These tanks were produced until 1944, March. The "G" version was the most widely produced version. Over 3,700 tanks of this model were produced. It has been produced since 1944, March to 1945, January. In them, the angles of the placement of the frontal armor are increased and they are thickened. The cannon casing was also changed - the so-called "mask". Tank destroyer "Jagdpanther" (Sd.Kfz 179) is built on the "Panther" chassis. When evaluating the Pz.Kpfw V, one should remember not only the excellent frontal armor or the weapon, but also pay attention to the shortcomings of the tank - large dimensions, sensitive and perishable chassis and its suspension, armor of ever-decreasing quality caused by metal and alloy components (mainly molybdenum ) lack, weak side armor.

A large and quite complex, well designed and richly detailed model with nice spotted camouflage. There is detailing of the engine part, visible through the hatch, no interior detailing, perfectly restored chassis, its suspension, exterior detailing, there are even details of two tankists figures. Model for intermediate and advanced modelers only. The graphic instruction is small, but quite detailed, the textual one is the same.