Review
This offering from Hobby Boss in 1/35th scale is provided in a robust cardboard tray, with a divider section inside and an additional cardboard lid with the artwork on it. The model parts are protected inside individual bags, except where sprues are duplicated. A look over the mouldings reveals no obvious issues as regards production and the detail provided meets my expectations. There are of course ejector pins marks, but these appear to be hidden in locations where they will not be seen. Access for removal of parts is assisted by small gates between sprue and part, which will help prevent tears when cutting free and also due to a minimal number of connections - all aiding the modeller regardless of ability.
The hull of the model has a separate front and rear and re-enforcement ribs up the sides of the hull in an endeavour to prevent warping. In this case the method would appear to have been successful and so I am happy with the result. The exhausts present are akin to the flame retarders seen on the panther, and while they look good I am not going to get pulled up on whether they are accurate or not. The return rollers and drive wheel are in a fixed position, but due to Hobby Boss having supplied individual track links for this release, I strongly suggest you do not fix the drive wheel at the time specified by the instructions. The suspensions units are single piece mouldings and so you cannot easily adjust them to show on an uneven surface. As regards the wheels I am perfectly happy with what has been provided as regards moulding quality. The individual track links have two connections to the sprue and this does not appear to have caused any reduction in the quality of the moulding, while at the same time making it easier to clean up.
The upper hull is for the most part a single large moulding, with some photo etched grilles provided for the air intakes the Kugelblend, vision port for the driver and the rear mud guards. The only other additions to this are some hatch handles on the engine deck and the headlight on the front.
The turret of this release has considerably to it than the upper hull, with access doors being provided with separate parts and so can be shown open or closed. Grab handles around the exterior and th internal portions of the door frames provided for the inside of the turret. The Coppola is again a multi part assembly, with good detail inside and out with clear vision ports provided to be mounted inside to replicate the periscope. The turret interior if exposed by open door hatches needs something to fill that space inside. To this end Hobby Boss has provided quite a nice gun breach for the main weapon which will take up a considerable amount of space, but from what I can see a weakness is the machine gun next to the main gun with the interior detail not provided as far as I can see. The main barrel of the weapon is provided in two pieces, with the front and rear being moulded separately, without the need to sand the seam lines in this case. The muzzle brake has been provided in two halves, with a separate interior ring and is one aspect of this release that I know Hobby Boss can do better.
Finishing wise Hobby Boss has provided two finishing options, one in a standard grey and the other in a three colour camouflage that I know modellers like.
Conclusion
I am a little torn on my opinion of this release, due to what I consider to be over simplification in some areas. Most notably the suspension units and the upper hull, which I feel could have been taken further and made more enjoyable for the modeller to achieve a higher finish for his or her work. Detail wise I am not going to comment on, due to the Panzer III,IV and V having some many specific indicators that to say what is and is not accurate is almost guaranteed to be called out.