This particular set is designed to depict the Panther in the 'down and dirty' configuration. When the flaps were lowered, so were the leading edge slats. This generally only occurred on approach and directly after leaving the arresting hook on the carrier or leaving the main runway after landing on an air field.  In other words, the aircraft would be under power. The odds are small that you'd see the aircraft parked this way on the ramp unless it was going through some sort of check and almost never with the wings folded.

Should you wish to model your Panther, this set has wings with the slats down and the proper size/shape wing tanks along with a new center section incorporating separate flaps. A set of wing fences as applied to USN Panthers in 1951/52 and Marine Panthers after the war are also included.

The detailing of the resin matches the kit very well and for the most part, is superbly cast. I did have one outer tip tank show some mold slip, but should be easy enough to reshape.

April 2007