Introduction
The following introduction is as supplied by ICM:
The Pz.Kpfw.V Panther tank is considered by many specialists to be one of the best tanks of World War II. Its reliable armor and powerful firepower made this tank a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Various combat vehicles were produced based on its chassis, including the armored recovery vehicle (ARV*) Sd.Kfz. 179 Bergepanther. One of the unusual modifications of this vehicle was produced in the 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion (Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653). A turret from another tank, the Pz.Kpfw.IV, was installed on the chassis of the ARV, thus converting the Bergepanther into a command vehicle. According to some researchers, this turret was fixed, and instead of a gun, its dummy was installed, allowing the space inside the armored hull, free from the gun, to be used for additional radio stations and work with combat maps. It is likely that such a modification was made only on one specimen. This vehicle was part of the combat strength of the Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653, and its use occurred in the spring of 1944 in the area of Ternopil, Ukraine.
Review
This offering from ICM arrives in the usual manner of a robust flip-top cardboard tray with a separate card lid showing the artwork. Inside the sprues are packaged in a single plastic bag, access to the parts is good with the decals loose in the box. No obvious moulding issues are present.
The hull of the model has been with ICM for a long time in their various Panther variant kits. This means that you do get a nice texture to the outside of the release. The hull of the model goes together in the typical fashion of early Panther model releases. The detail has been questioned as regards accuracy in previous releases, but what kit is perfect. I am disappointed that this Panther D hull does not allow the machine gun in the hull to be seen. The periscope are not moulded in clear plastic, which is another disappointment, and you are not provided with any photo etch for the engine deck grilles. However, once the hull is put together and if your painting skills and detail weathering are good then you will have a pleasing portion of the model. A nice touch here is that the tracks provided here are individual track links, and so allows good natural sag to be replicated.
The Panzer IV turret provided in the release is the all new aspect I believe. I will confess to be disappointed in the gun barrel as it is moulded in 2 halves, and that includes the muzzle brake. The actual panels that make up the turret are made using multiple panels, which has enabled good detail on the moulded surfaces. However, the side access doors have been moulded are part of the panels which is disappointing as I feel that if the access panels could be shown open it would increase its appeal. The Commander’s copula is a multi part assembly, and again cannot be shown open, and I have to question what ICM were thinking when they took this approach. On the plus side the added armour around the turret has been nicely tackled, and is a positive for the model.
ICM has only provided 1 single finishing option for this release, which is for a Bergepanther with Pz.Kpfw. IV turret, 653rd Heavy Panzerjager Battalion (Schwere, Panzerjager-Abteilung 653), 1944. this is due to the model replicating a field modified command tank
Conclusion
When this model was released I had quite high hopes that it would make for a good replica of the vehicle intended, while having ease of build to boot. Looking at what has been included I can’t help but feel ICM has let themselves down with this one, as they missed a lot of easy inclusions that would have greatly improved the appeal of the model as a whole. So what we have is an easy build with no bells or whistles other than the track links.