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Monday, August 29, 2016 - 11:27 AM UTC
Dragon has announced for October a new Panzerbefehlswagen V Panther Ausf.G, a command vehicle based on the Panther Ausf. G.
The 45-tonne Panther was one of the most important tanks used by Germany during WWII. A number of Panther Ausf. A and Ausf.G vehicles, 329 in fact, were converted into command tanks from May 1943 to February 1945. These were known in German as the Panzerbefehlswagen, and they were used as battalion and regimental command vehicles, as well as for ground-to-air liaison.

One important design criteria was to make sure they looked inconspicuous compared to regular gun tanks so that they wouldn't be targeted by the enemy. These command tanks still retained the 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 main gun, but did not have the usual coaxial machine gun.

The Befehls-Panther added an additional radio, which caused a corresponding reduction in ammunition stowage. A FuG5 radio was installed in the turret and a FuG7 or FuG8 in the hull.

Dragon is offering this 1/35 scale kit of a Befehls-Panther Ausf.G, based on their previous model of Panther Ausf. G and adding the specific features of the command vehicle like a star antenna on the engine deck and the correct mantlet. Tracks will be of the DS type.
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Comments

Spend my model budget on another regurgitated Panther? No I will wait to see what the new kids on the block will offer.
AUG 29, 2016 - 07:43 PM
I'm sure that this one is a re-release of the Cyber Hobby Befehls Panther G kit CH6551. Which in turn was, I believe, the Dragon Panther G SmartKit 6268 with added bits for the different antenna systems and the modified gun-mantlet that may or may not have "graced" any of the 330 or so A and G Panthers which were built up as "Befehls Panthers". The original CH kit is a great kitty kit, and it came with Magic Tracks and PE and clear periscopes, etc. The version is real, the version is NOT some odd one-off but actually an important and fairly common variant. And one had (probably still will have) the option of doing a straight-up earlier Panther G or the targeted command version. You will have to add on the zimm (if you seek maximal accuracy) - most likely this earlier G had zimm, as all A and all G built before SEP 1944 came with zimm from the factory. And, if you want them, you'll need to add the schurzen as well - the CH kit lacked this known G feature, and probably this re-release will follow the leader on that. And, if you are like me and feel your gorge rise at the thought of DS tracks... Well, I guess it'll be get some AM links for you, too! But that's the way the D has gone. It is an important and kinda interesting variation, and if you missed the now-rare original CH kit... This one probably will fill the bill OK and put a befehls-kitty into your stash after all.... And IF you are really a builder as versus mostly a buyer ( ),you'll end up with a nice kitty on the shelf, too! But those DS tracks... That has to STOP. Bob
AUG 29, 2016 - 09:43 PM
My kitty, (she's real; a Maine Coon), parks herself wherever she pleases... THAT'S WHY all my completed efforts are displayed behind glass!!!
AUG 31, 2016 - 02:32 AM
Yeah.... I have a real "befehls-kitty" too - an overly-opinionated and full-of-herself orange tabby part-manx stump-tailed sort. But we have worked out a bribery-based agreement; she stays out of the model-shelves and I feed her about 10x the cat-treats as normal cats get!
AUG 31, 2016 - 04:30 AM
I can TOTALLY RELATE to the "bribery"- I spend a small fortune on her for treats every week, but she's worth it! I couldn't ask for a more loyal and affectionate pet!
AUG 31, 2016 - 04:44 PM
I for one really like the look of the command variants. If this proves to be easier to find than the Cyberhobby option I'll gladly buy it. Provided I don't have to take out a bank loan to do so....
AUG 31, 2016 - 11:38 PM
RETAIL prices on some of the latest DRAGON Panzers run in the $70-80 dollar range. If I were you, I'd wait a few months. Once the furor dies down over any new kit's release, you can still buy DRAGON stuff for (in this day and age, anyway) "decent" 21st Century money, i.e, $50 bucks, give or take... I'm not exactly happy about the pricing of today's plastic model kits, but that's the way it is, so I deal with it as I see fit... What else can one do..?
SEP 01, 2016 - 05:17 AM
Or wait and see if it goes on sale at dragonusaonline.com I have bought a ton of stuff from there by waiting until it hits the 50% off sales.
SEP 01, 2016 - 08:11 AM
You beat me to it! You can rest absolutely assured that the high new-release price will fold and drop as other new stuff comes out, and more so if it proves less-than-popular, and it will appear on on-line sales events. I always wait until the new stuff settles down in price. And it's always still just as new to me even if I buy it several months later than the impatient guys get it! Bob
SEP 01, 2016 - 10:24 AM
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