Panther Ausf. G Sd.Kfz. 171

Ryefield Model, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Summary

F i r s t L o o k

Rye Field Models’ 1:35 scale Panther Ausf. G is a beautifully detailed kit and a follow on from their first release of the Panther Ausf. G with full interior. 

The sprues are identical to the earlier release but this kit is offered without the interior parts and the clear hull and turret parts. 

The kit contains 500 buff-coloured injection moulded plastic parts, 20 clear parts, 14 nylon parts, approximately 30 photo-etched parts and a decal sheet covering three different schemes.  The moulded parts are free of flash and all injector pin marks will be well hidden on the completed model.

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Thumbnail panels:

An option is provided for the main gun to be assembled with recoil action using a spring. 

A flexible vinyl muzzle cover is also offered.

The comprehensive instructions need to be followed closely as there are options throughout that need to be installed depending on whether you are building the 1944 or 1945 production models. There are 12 assembly steps just to complete the turret with a lot of intimate detail to be added.

The hull assembly takes quite a while and has a few options that the modeller must decide on as they build the kit up.  The gun muzzle transport brace is finely detailed as are all the accessories fitted to the hull such as the wire cutters, shovel etc.  The hatches can be assembled open or closed.   The engine cooling fans can be assembled with heaters installed that raises the fan significantly off the engine deck.

The jack is made up from ten parts and is very detailed, a long way from the single part of the past.  The exhausts and storage compartments for the rear bulkhead are all nicely detailed and when fitted make the area look quite busy and detailed.

The lower hull is quite a comprehensive build with 16 torsion bars and associated suspension to be fitted. The drive sprocket, idler and steel road wheels are all nicely detailed and easily assembled.

Finally, the very detailed individual track links are assembled to make up each track consisting of 87 parts per side.

A jig is provided for ease of track link assembly.

Markings are provided for three schemes as follows:

• No 128 in striped scheme of olivgrun, schokoladenbraun and dunkelgelb.  This tank was based in Caen, Normandy in June 1944.

• No 211 in the ambush scheme of resedagrun, rotbraun and dunkelgelb, This tank was based in the Ardennes/Frayneux in December 1944.

• No 334 in the mottle scheme of olivgrun, schokoladenbraun and dunkelgelb.  This tank was based in Bonn in 1945.

Decals are nicely printed and in register.

C o n c l u s i o n

In summary, this is a superbly detailed Panther tank provided by Rye Field Models without all of the interior detail and clear parts from their earlier kit. 

I sometimes wonder if the latest kits are becoming overdetailed or too sharp in detail after my visits to Samuar and Bovington tank museums. 

Although the WWII tank detail does not appear as sharp as we see in these kit releases, this is only an observation and not a criticism and I much prefer the detail we see in these kits to those of ten years ago. 

Take the time and patience to assemble this model and you will be rewarded with a superb rendition of a Panther G tank.

Recommended for all modellers of average skill and experience.

Thanks to Ryefield Model for the sample www.ryefield-model.com