Kit Review: cyber-hobby.com 1/35 scale Kit No. 51 (Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale =9139-=9145 Series Kit No. 6626); Flak Panther Ausf. D
- s.Pz.Jg.Abt. 653 - Smart Kit; 664 parts (551 in grey styrene, 83 etched brass, 14 clear styrene, 12 etched nickel, 2 turned brass, 2 DS plastic track runs); estimated retail price US$52.50
Advantages: another unique subject
Disadvantages: another one off model
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all German fans and fans of Abteiling 653 and their adventures
DML=92s cyber-hobby.com affiliate has released another =93boutique=94 kit of a one-off vehicle conversion - a Panther Ausf. D converted to a self-propelled flak gun by adding a 2 cm Flakviering mount in place of the original=92s turret. I have no information on this conversion other than what I have seen on the Internet websites, and the only argument seems to have been whether or not this vehicle was converted from a Panther Ausf. D or a D which had already been converted into a Bergepanther.
This kit is not so much based on the 2006 issue kit of the D (a =93Premium Edition=94) as it is the later Panther A and G kits with some other bits mixed in. The result is a pretty good representation of the D but as such there is no zimmerit or any other interim finish applied (what I have on it says most Ds were built before they began to applying it so not a problem).
The kit uses some bits from other kits =96 mostly the older D/A kit and the G =93Smart Kit=94 variants - with a set of etched brass from Kit No.
6340 which I have no record of being released; this has some 101 fewer etched brass bits than the standard fret for Panthers.
The complete Flakvierling assembly from the Sd.Kfz. 7/1 kit is provided along with a set of brass for this gun as well. As whichever hull is correct for the vehicle (D or Bergepanther) most of the =93gun tank=94 fittings are left off so it is a much cleaner looking vehicle when complete.
This model comes with the DS plastic tracks so modelers tired of dealing with single links will be grateful. Three-piece single links are included for the spare track racks on the hull.
Research and technical assistance are credited to Notger Schlegtendal, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.
As this was a one-off vehicle only one finishing option is included, s.Pz.Jg.Abt. 653, Russia 1944 (tricolor with unit markings and crosses) and a small Cartograf sheet is provided.
Overall, this is another one-off for the fan of oddities, but a nicely done effort.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell