Model Forum / General / Models / January 2006

Kit Review: Italeri 1/35 Scale Kit Number 6275; Sd.Kfz. 173
Jagdpanther; 124+2+50, 8 in steel colored vinyl); price not known but
estimated at US $33.50

Advantages: simple kit, easy to assemble and captures the look of its
prototype

Disadvantages: carries over some of the problems with the similar
Panther A and D (kits number 6270 and 6290) due to its use of the same
lower hull sprue

Rating: Recommended

Recommendation: for German armor fans or beginning modelers

            When Italeri released its Panther kit about 15 years ago, it caused
a firestorm of complaints and compliments from modelers. The
compliments were usually due to the fact that it was the first Panther
kit offered that attempted to provide for the use of "zimmerit"
surface paste via the use of applique armored panels. The complaints
were due to the fact that the kit HAD to use them or it wound up being
underscale, as well as the turret sat too far to the rear and the
suspension had some bugaboo problems. At the time it was released,
however, what many of its detractors failed to grasp was that it was an
A model and far superior to the obsolete Tamiya kit that dated from
1968.

    Since then Italeri, Tamiya, DML (both original and re-released Gunze
Sangyo) versions and some other kits have covered one of the more
popular derivatives of the Panther, the 88mm armed Jagdpanther. This
kit was originally released in the early 1990s, and this version does
make one change that I see - instead of the original lower hull sprue
from kit 270, this uses the one from the Panther Ausf. D kit (number
290) what many missed the first time as that kit did not need applique
on its lower glacis.

    The kit does not use any of the "zimmerit" panels, which is not so
good as it replicates the early model of the Jagdpanther with the
"smooth barrel" 88mm gun, most of which carried the zimmerit
coating. It also is missing the side skirts albeit the mounts are
included. It does retain the engine as provided in the A and D kits,
which is a nice touch as it lends itself readily to diorama use.

    The kit does come with the correct number and pattern of wheels, and
the good news is that the Italeri tracks - in this case two-section
vinyl in steel - are more flexible and fit well, other than the fact
that the upper run by the nature of its material cannot droop. This
will require forcing it down on the spension via either steel rods
through the hull, tying it down with thread, or cementing it to the
upper part of the road wheels with ACC (superglue).

    Overall this isn't a bad model, and it's a great place for new or
younger modelers to start as it has few vices or major problems in
assembly. It also, due to its flat shapes and panels, is a great place
to start if you want to learn how to apply "zimmerit" using a
product like R&J's "Zimmer-it-Right."  But if you want a
fine-scale model, you will either have to make some changes and
corrections or look to another kit.

    Photos and sprue shots of this model are available exclusively at
Cybermodeler (http://www.cybermodeler,com).  

Cookie Sewell