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Built Review
172
Jaguar 1
Jaguar 1 Bundeswehr
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by: Jan Etal [ TREAD_GEEK ]

introduction

Originally called the Raketenjagdpanzer, this was a contemporary of the Kanonenjagdpanzer and its relatives and shared the same chassis. Originally brought into service in 1967, by 1978 the Raketenjagdpanzer 3 was considered obsolete and was subject to having an upgrade. This was focused both on protection and firepower, with add-on armour to the front glacis and hull sides, side skirts, and had a brand new HOT missile system. Conversions ended in 1982, after the conversions, the Raketenjagdpanzer 3 was renamed the Jaguar-1 and remained in service until the 1990’s

This 23 ton vehicle was operated by a crew of four (commander, driver, operator/gunner and loader). Powered by a V8 500hp diesel engine it had a top road speed of 70 kph (44 mph) and a range of 385 km (240 miles). Armament consisted of 1 HOT missile launcher with eight ready rounds and twelve reloads. Secondary armament was 2 x 7.62mm MG3 machine guns and 8 smoke-dischargers. From 1993 to 1995 new optics and a thermal imaging system would be added.

contents

The kit arrives in a clear, rectangular, end opening box. Inside can be found the following:
  • Single page instruction sheet and painting guide
  • 1x Large hull casting
  • 2x Left and right side suspension/running gear
  • Casting block with 9 detail parts attached
  • 1x HOT missile launcher piece
  • 3x Tarps and camouflage nets
  • 1x MG-3 casting
  • 1x PE fret with 8 pieces
  • 1x Small waterslide decal sheet
  • 2x Wire antenna


The painting guide provides a choice for two vehicles. One vehicle represents a total green vehicle that would have been seen until 1984. The second scheme is for a vehicle from 1984 onward and is in a three colour NATO camouflage. Paints referenced in the instructions are for the Humbrol and Revell range.

review

The subject of this review is the Artitec resin 1/72 Jaguar 1 Bundeswehr, Kit #172003. Artitec have done a very nice job on this kit but it is not for the novice or beginner. Resin models are subject to their own set of techniques. Resin is generally harder than styrene and its dust produced from sawing, grinding or sanding is dangerous to the respiratory system. For light sanding, a particle mask is probably sufficient, but if you're using a belt sander, grinder or buffing wheel, a respirator will be more appropriate since the resin particles will be finer. Resin does capture fine detail exceptionally well and it is this area where it is finer than styrene.

The three main hatches can be posed open or closed and have both external and internal detailing. While cast as a single unit, the road wheels, sprockets, return rollers and idlers are moulded in a fashion that gives the impression of being in pairs instead of single solid piece. While all the tools are cast on the hull, Artitec does provide some stowage such as tarpulins and camouflage nets to enhance the exterior of the vehicle.

build observations

Some parts do show a light flash on their edges, this is particularly obvious on the running gear and a few detail parts. Mostly it is quite light and removable with a sharp hobby blade, however, a major job for the builder will be taking care of the large remnants of the body’s pour plug and cleaning up the track’s pour points.

For the bottom of the body, the use of wet/dry sandpaper and a chisel was necessary on my sample. To straighten up the contour lines after the sanding process, I decided that the bottom plate and lower, front plate might be best enhanced by cladding over both with sheet styrene to smooth the two panels.

A number of parts have mounting pins but these appeared quite brittle when trying to remove them from their casting block and the pins were damaged. As the parts count is quite minimal there should not be any major issues other than the clean-up of some, what some people may find, rather small parts. A few test, dry fits with the hatches showed that they fit very well.

After cleaning up the tracks and suspension runs, dry fitting was also required on the channel for the suspension components. This was straight forward and after completion the running gear fit quite nicely. The gunner’s sight, HOT launcher, smoke dischargers and front hatches all had a good fit.

Then there is the photo etch pieces to deal with some of these are small, fragile and prone to bending. Having completed a dry fit the rear rack, it is obvious the need for time and patience will be required with placing those parts. It does require some bending into the proper shape but was accomplished with minimal effort. A front PE rack has a positive fit and requires no bending or folding.

Conclusions

This is not the first incarnation of Raketenjagdpanzer in a smaller scale as ROCO had produced an earlier version in 1/87 (HO) scale years prior. However, this one in 1/72 is by far superior in details. Many will appreciate the extra stowage pieces. Further, a few not used pieces may be parts for a later version of a Jaguar that including a large imaging module. The potential modeller will find that the chassis components clean-up and fit is superior to Artitec KaJaPa 90 mm.

While possessing a limited number of parts, the nature of resin possesses it own sets of unique challenges. While some parts fit remarkably well, the running gear did require a fair amount of attention to look and especially fit well. With proper care and knowledge of resin peculiarities, this kit will create an excellent representation of this unique vehicle.

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Extremely fine surface moulding, generally good parts fit. Very unique Cold War vehicle.
Lows: Typical resin/PE kit attributes.
Verdict: A typical resin/PE kit with all the idiosyncrasies that these involve. With proper care, it will produce a nicely detailed representation of this interesting vehicle.
Percentage Rating
80%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: 1720003
  Suggested Retail: €24,90
  PUBLISHED: Feb 08, 2015
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 84.51%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.00%

Our Thanks to Artitec!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Jan Etal (tread_geek)
FROM: ONTARIO, CANADA

I've been building models since about age 10 with the occasional hiatus due to real life events. First armour model was a 1/76 Airfix Tiger I and was followed by a 1/72 Revell F4U Corsair. I've built primarily 1/76 and 1/72 armour and aircraft but occasionally have tinkered in other larger scales....

Copyright ©2021 text by Jan Etal [ TREAD_GEEK ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

@tread_geek – Jan, As you pointed out, these cast resin kits are not without their build challenges and even with such a low parts count they can be a little daunting for the average modeler. However, in spite of this it’s good to see manufactures releasing these types of kits in 72nd scale. This example looks very well detailed and externally adorned with plenty of items, all of which is crisply cast, unlike some of the more recently released plastic offerings with globs of indiscernible ‘slide mold released’ early ‘60’s detail that presumably represents similar affixed items on the vehicle (‘where’s the beef?’). It’s also nice to see a fret of photo-etch and a sheet of decals that gives the modeler more than just one marking option! I’m not at all knowledgeable with modern armor but this kit sure looks interesting to me, hum. Thank you for taking the time to point out some of the flows, although they seem an easy fix, and your solutions and for building up the example prior to painting, thus giving us a chance to see it in all its cast resin glory. ~ Eddy
MAR 17, 2015 - 10:57 AM
Eddy, I am glad that you found this review interesting and took the time to comment. This "kit" is a mixed bag with its particular highs and lows and not for a novice without experience. The vehicle itself is quite unique and a product of the middle Cold War. I have it mostly built, only missing the top machine gun and antennas and just started the finishing. I'll post pictures as progress continues. Cheers, Jan
MAR 17, 2015 - 09:37 PM
   
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