CH6551: Befehls Panther Ausf G
1/35 injection plastic kit with photo etch grills and metal tow cables

To ensure that Panzers were coordinated in battle to achieve maximum effect, front line commanders had command vehicles capable of two way radio communication. Combat experience soon demonstrated that these should be based around front line tanks and in particular that at combat distances they should not stand out from other tanks.

As a command vehicle, the Befehls Panther (or Panzerbefehlswagen Panther) was equipped with additional radio equipment and aerials to enable two way communication while having a compensating reduction in ammunition storage. Externally it was distinguished by the addition of a rod aerial on the rear of the turret roof and a second aerial on the engine deck. For the Sd.KFz 268 Befehls Panther the second aerial on the rear deck was the distinctive star aerial (often known as the crow’s foot aerial) which was mounted in a raised circular base (the Sd.KFz 267 Befehls Panther had a rod aerial on the rear and was fitted with different radio equipment). Befehls Panther were made using new production tanks and were widely assigned to front line Panzer Divisions.

CONTENTS
Matching the specialist role of the Befehls Panther, this is a limited edition (white box) release from Cyber-Hobby. This kit contains extra parts for the star aerial, roof aerial, extension rods and the mounting brackets for the extension rods. The kit has the option of mounting the star aerial on the back of the engine deck or repositioning it to a mounting attached to the side of the right storage bin on the hull rear. When attached to the rear plate extension rods were used to significantly increase its height to allow communication over longer distances (e.g. to divisional commanders). The kit also has a newly tooled mantlet which has curved profile and reinforcing on either side of the collar.

Like with the Dragon Panther Ausf G Smart Kits on which it is based there is extensive use of refined molding techniques such as slide molding, clear vision blocks, photo etch mesh grills, and twisted metal tow cables. The gatefold instructions have 17 steps of clear line drawings.

This kit has features typical of the Panther G and is free of zimmerit which is consistent with waritime photos of many Panthers, such as those from Germany and the Ardennes, with the combination of features suggested in the instruction sheet. The kit includes a choice of rear idlers and spare parts providing the option of having the raised tower on the engine deck for heating the crew compartment or two flat round grills and either the curved exhaust pipes or later flammvernichter flame suppressing exhaust pipes. Due to backlogs of parts, wartime disruptions to shipping, and the diverse range of suppliers to the assembly plants Panthers built in late 1944 often had a mix of early and late features.

TURRET

The turret is well designed and will be familiar to many modellers. Features include a toothed turret ring, crisp weld marks, interior detail for the commander' cupola such as clear plastic vision blocks and the cupola ring mount for the MG (the MG 34 is not included). The commander’s hatch and the rear hatch have handles and interior hinge detail, and can be positioned open or closed. The turret roof features detailed pilzen (sockets for securing a small crane), drain holes, Nahverteidigungswaffe (close-defense weapon) lifting hooks and a choice of fan vent covers.

The 75mm KwK is only provided as a one-piece injection plastic tube, which requires minimal cleanup to remove the seam line, along with a separate three part slide molded muzzle break. The break is designed such that it would be easy to fit it to many aftermarket barrels. Inside the turret, parts are provided for the key parts of the gun’s breech. The newly tooled mantlet has reinforcing on either side of the collar, casting marks and separate parts for the lifting lugs and debris guard.

HULL

The hull is comprehensive and includes photo etch for the six main grills and a smaller grill. Features include a pair of engine radiators, which sit underneath the four rectangular grills and have a choice of fan types, and the option of open or closed slide louvers for the rectangular air intakes. The suspension arms are separate allowing flexibility in positioning the Panther in dioramas. The idlers swing-arms are also separate, a feature which will please some modelers when fixing the tracks.

For the rear idler wheel there is the choice of the earlier smaller pattern or larger self-cleaning design introduced from September 1944. The dished road wheels are crisp with sharp detail on both faces. For the track returns located near the drive sprocket there is the choice of a roller or track shoe style guide.

On the hull rear the right stowage bin is new tooling and has indentations to position the base for the star aerial when its is in the extended configuration. Should you wish to leave the star aerial on the engine deck, this kit has an empty mounting socket to attach to the stowage bin which adds to the kits completeness and accuracy.

Both the driver's and radio operator's hatches have interior details and support arms and the hull MG34 is included along with its internal detail such as the butt and spent shell case. There is an optional MB ball mount plug.

The tools have most of the brackets and clamps cast on for ease of assembly and the newly tooled jack is built from seven parts plus separate parts for the support bracket. The slide-molded barrel travel lock is crisply detailed and has the option of being positioned either in travel or in action. The rear storage boxes are slide-molded.

There is a choice of exhaust systems and for the suggested curved exhaust pipes there are welded armor guards and curved shrouds (the flammvernichter pipes and brackets are spares).

There is a choice of engine deck hatches which differ in the position of a tie down (part A34 is the later design). Both hatches have interior detail and can be positioned open, although you will need to supply your own engine (several are available). An armored deflector and PE mesh grill for rear deck air intake are provided.

Two lengths of twisted wire are provided for the tow cable and the thinner cable that was used for changing tracks. The cables have a choice of shackle ends, leaving you with a useful set of spares. No side skirts (shurzen) are included, which is consistent with the fact side skirts were often missing in photos. Numerous firms sell aftermarket photo etch shurzen and it can be easily scratch built using plastic card.

TRACKS

The tracks are the ‘Magic Tracks” which come loose. They have open guide horns, and chevrons on the outer face. With the slight injection marks hidden between the guide horns these links can be assembled quickly without clean up. Most of the links are one piece with the open guide horns cast onto link making for quick assembly. Several links, which have separate guide horns are for fitting around the drive sprockets where their slightly larger and contoured holes will better fit the sprocket’s teeth. With the open guide horns and the benefits of the magic track not needing clean up, these tracks are better than some aftermarket Panther links that I have used.

PAINT SCHEME & DECALS

The suggested paint scheme as per the box art has an even mix of brown, green and yellow camouflage in broad bands on the tanks upper and solid yellow road wheels. This is a scheme typical of photos from late 1944/early 1945 and in particular for late war Panzers without zimmerit. The decal sheet by Cartograf has four Balkan Crosses and the suggested vehicle is placed in Germany 1945.

RECOMMENDATION
With the additional radio equipment combined with the PE and Magic Tracks, this new release from Cyber-Hobby’s offers modelers the chance to build the distinctive command version of the Panther out of the box. The inclusion of the extension rods for the star aerial and their stowage and mounting brackets adds to the kits accuracy and appeal. Definitely recommended.

- Neville Lord