Rubicon Panther Ausf. A/D + G

To sum this week up, an unboxing double pack, Panther Ausf. D / A and the Ausf. G by Rubicon Models.

The Panzerkampfwagen V / SdKfz 171, or Panther, was a further development of Panzer III and IV, combined with the experience from the battles at the eastern front and captured vehicles like the T-34. By that the Panther received among other things sploping armour, which provides better protection without thicker plates, and double-interleaved wheels.

Rubicon Models wants 25 Euro for the boxes each, covering the Ausführung D and A in one box, and Ausführung G in the other.

The Panther box contains three sprues, a multipaged instruction and a decal sheet. The panther share two of the three sprues. The third one covers the different upper hull and parts for the turrets.

The casting quality is good, there are few mold lines but the material feels a bit greasy. I suggest you rinse off the sprues with lukewarm soap water.

As the Ausführung D/A and G share two of the three sprues, i only show you the third, different one below.

The instruction of the Panther A/D has a small error, that is already fixed by Rubicon Models bereits behoben wurde. You can download the corrected instructions over here: Rubicon Models Forum. On page 4, step 6, the part B19 has to be placed on the other side of the tank.

You see the differences in the direct comparison. Primary those are the design of the hatches in the front and the covers / ventilation in the rear. Beside that, the Panther Ausf. G is slightly narrower and has a more sloped side armour.

Assembly beginns as usual with the tracks. The interleaved gear / tracks are nicely down, with the appropiate depth and build in layers. In the last step the outer part is added together with the tracks themselves.

The hull is glued together by pinning the left and right part, and adding the lower and rear plate of the hull.

The turrets have smaller differences. Ausführung D and A differ from one another by the mantlet and the commander hatch. The Ausführung G has a lip on the mantlet and the later design of the commanders hatch.

Now the hull is completed, by adding the upper part. The turrets can be mounted without glueing and can be rotated. As well as the guns, if you don't choose to glue them fix. With the Panther Ausf. A/D i closed the turretmount with a renedra base and a bit of liquid green stuff, to convert it into a Aufkl. Panther by using the turret of a SdKfz 234/2.

Both kits have optional parts, like the skirts, which were only used with the Panther G. I thought a fast reconnaissance would want to save some weight, and decided against mounting skirts. Both received tools and spare parts. The Panther Ausf. G has optional parts for a enhanced exhaust and ventilation. Those bits were used with the Aufklärungspanther, to represent a "tuned" engine of the scout vehicle.

Completely assembled, the tanks look like this. The gap between turret and hull on the right tank is no error, just a side effect of my conversion. The panther turret is replaced with a turret from the Puma SdKfz 234/2.

Here you see the comparison with the Panther Ausf. D/A by Warlord Games, who wears a coat of Zimmerit. The measurements are more or less the same, so you can mix them in one army. The turret of the Warlord Games Panther is slightly broader. Both kits are at an eye level, so it is up to you, if you want Zimmerit or you don't, or you are looking for the late Ausführung G.

Of course, the all around shots may not be missed. Showing the Ausführung G and the Aufklärungspanther.

Conclusion
The Panther has an appealing design and maybe the most famous german tank, right after the Tiger. Rubicon did a good interpretation into 28mm and plastic. The price is fair with 25 Euro, you get some options for the variants and the assembly was fast and without problems. So if you are looking for a Panzer V Panther - without Zimmerit - don't look further, Rubicon offers two! So, if we find a supplier for a Ausf. F Schmalturm, we are ready to go.

The Panther was used at the eastern and western front, Italy and in one of the last battles of the second world war in Cologne. After the war the panther was used by the french army and  was a template for many prototypes.

The kit was provided by Fantasy Warehouse.