Cyber-hobby 1/35 Panther A (late production)

The Panther was a tank fielded by Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer IV and III, though it served along with them and the heavy tanks until the end of the war. The Panther's excellent combination of firepower, mobility, and protection served as a benchmark for other nations' late war and immediate post-war tank designs and it is frequently regarded (along with the Soviet T-34 Tank) as the best tank design of World War II.

Until 1944 it was designated as the Panzerkampfwagen VPanther and had the Ordnance inventory designation of Sd.Kfz. 171. On 27 February 1944,Hitler ordered that the Roman numeral V be deleted from the tank's designation.

Despite being technically superior in most aspects to the tanks of other nations, the over burdened automotive portion of the design and lack of general reliability lessened its impact on the battlefield. Combine that with the low production rate compared to the Sherman and T-34 and one can easily see that numbers will end up winning the day. Of all the Panthers lost in combat, some estimates suggest that nearly half were due to mechanical breakdowns.

"Die Erzählungdes Schwarzen Ritters" is a widely acclaimed comic book series and considered the best work of renowned comic artist Motofumi Kobayashi. The story is set in the Eastern Front in the Fall of 1943 and portrays the main character Oblt.Ernst von Bauer and his force Wehrmacht 8th Tank Company which is called "Black Knight". 

In the winter of 1943, the Black Knight lost their five "Panzerkampfwagen IV" during the battle against the Soviet force's T34s but luckily they found six "Panther As" and fought back against the Soviet force. These six Panther As displayed the courage and power of the Black Knight

Instructions are photo realistic on slick paper and in full color. There are detail line drawings to help where things can be a bit confusing. Also shown are where one can use photo etch in place of the standard plastic parts. The lone marking option is that which is shown on the box art, however, the decal sheet does offer a second turret number.

So here is a very nicely done late build Panther A. For those who are into doing this unique version, here is a chance for something different. Those wanting to do a standard tank only have to locate some different decals for it. Either way, it will build into a superb model.

January 2011 

Thanks towww.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours at your local retailer.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

Back to the Main Page

Back to the Previews Index Page