Panther Ausf.D

The Pz.Kpfw.V Panther was a German medium tank produced between 1943 and 1945. Development began in late 1941, followed by prototype testing throughout 1942 and the start of series production in early 1943. The Soviet T-34 was regarded as its main opponent and the Panther was intended eventually to replace the lighter Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks, which had thinner armour and less powerful armament.

The tank’s main gun was a long-barrelled 75 mm KwK 42 L/70, supplemented by two MG34 machine guns, one mounted in the hull and the other coaxially in the gun mantlet. Early Panthers were powered by a 650 hp Maybach HL 210 P30 twelve-cylinder petrol engine, giving the 44.8-tonne vehicle a top speed of 55 km/h on good roads. Its double torsion-bar suspension provided 510 mm of wheel travel, giving the tank a relatively smooth ride over rough terrain.

The Panther’s short development period and rapid introduction into production initially resulted in significant reliability problems. Early production vehicles were therefore recalled in late spring 1943 as part of a rebuilding programme that addressed most of their shortcomings. The Panther’s reliability was further improved in subsequent variants.

The model depicts a very early Panther Ausf.D produced in early spring 1943. The tank belonged to the 8th Company of Panzer-Abteilung 52, Panzer-Regiment 39 and is shown as it appeared during the Battle of Kursk in early July 1943.

More about the model and its construction can be found at this link

Model: 1:35 Takom 2103, Panther Ausf.D Early/Mid Production 2 in 1 

+ Aber 35K02T Pz.Kpfw.V Ausf.D and A (Sd.Kfz.171) Panther for Takom

+ Eduard 36390 Panther A interior for Takom

+ Aber R34 Smoke Dischargers for German Tanks

+ MasterClub MTL350002 Tracks for Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf.D/F early

+ Aber R16 Shackle for Pz.Kpfw.V Panther 

+ 5x Tamiya 35173 Panther Brass 75mm Projectiles
+ Archer AR77023 75mm ammo stencils for Panther and Jagdpanzer IV L/70 tanks

Panzer IV Ausf.E

The Panzer IV was a German medium tank produced between 1937 and 1945. Over the course of the war, it became the most numerous tank in Wehrmacht service. Developed alongside the Panzer III during the second half of the 1930s, it was initially armed with a short-barrelled 75 mm KwK 37 L/24 gun and intended to provide fire support for infantry.

Production of the Ausf.E version began in October 1940. It differed from earlier versions of the Panzer IV in having thicker armour, a slightly larger turret, a new type of commander’s cupola and a redesigned driver’s visor. The vehicle weighed 21 tonnes and, like other Panzer IV variants, had a five-man crew. Its 300 hp Maybach HL 120 TRM twelve-cylinder petrol engine gave it a top road speed of 42 km/h and a cross-country speed of 20 km/h.

In the spring of 1941, 40 Panzer IV tanks were sent to North Africa as part of the Deutsche Afrika Korps, ten of which were Ausf.E variants. The model depicts one of these vehicles serving with Panzer-Regiment 5 near Tobruk in April 1941. The tank was modified to Tropen specification and fitted with additional armour plates on the front and sides of the hull. The tanks sent to Africa were originally painted dark grey and were only repainted in desert colours after their arrival, using whatever materials were available in field conditions. As a result, vehicles seen during the early stages of the North African campaign could vary considerably in colour and often had a heavily weathered appearance.

More about the model and its construction can be found at this link

Model: 1:35 Dragon 6301, Pz.Kpfw. IV.Ausf.E "Vorpanzer"

+ Lion Roar LE35063 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E for Dragon 6264

+ Armorscale P35-019 Fenders & Tool Handles for German tank Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E

+ Aber 35A105 Panzer IV Turret Stowage Bin

+ E.T. Model EA35-119 Panzer Smoke Candle Rack (Late version)

+ Aber 35L157 75mm KwK 37 L/24 barrel

+ MasterClub MTL35015 Tracks for Pz.Kpfw.III, 380mm long horne

+ Orange Hobby G35-003-35 Universal Antenna for German Combat Vehicle Early version WWII

+ Panzer Art FI35-069 Tanker with Chameleon
+ MiniArt 35588 Jerry Cans Set WW2

StuG III Ausf.B "A"

The StuG III was a German assault gun produced during the Second World War. It was based on the Panzer III tank and, across its various versions, became the most numerous fully tracked armoured fighting vehicle produced by Germany during the war.

A total of 300 StuG III Ausf.B assault guns were built by Alkett between June 1940 and May 1941. The vehicle was armed with a short-barrelled 75 mm StuK 37 L/24 gun. It was powered by a 296 hp Maybach HL 120 TRM twelve-cylinder petrol engine, which gave the 19.6-tonne vehicle a top speed of 40 km/h on roads and 20 km/h cross-country. Its four-man crew consisted of a driver, gunner, loader and commander.

The model depicts an assault gun bearing the marking "A" of the 3rd Battery, StuG.Abt. 185, operating in Estonia in late summer 1941.

More about the model and its construction can be found at this link

Model: 1:35 Dragon 6919, StuG. III Ausf.B

+ Aber 35197 Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. B Vol.1:Basic Set

+ Voyager Model PE35884 StuG.III Ausf.A-D Fenders

+ Aber 35G02 Grilles for Pz.Kpfw. III & StuG III

+ Aber 35L24 75mm - K51 L/24 barrel

+ MasterClub MTL35009 Tracks for Pz.Kpfw.III, Pz.Kpfw.IV 1940-41 400mm early

+ Aber R26 German 2m aerials

+ Orange Hobby G35-057-38 Fire Extinguisher for WWII German Vehicles

+ Star Decals 35-997 Sturm #3. StuG III Ausf.B. Eastern Front 1941-42 

+ Eureka XXL E-001 Buckets & Funnel

+ Eureka XXL E-015 Wooden Ammo Boxes for 7.5cm KwK / StuK 7.5cm  

+ MiniArt 35588 Jerry Cans Set WW2  

+ PlusModel 106 Oil Tins

+ 1120 Production Z-01 WW2 German Panzer Headphones