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Monday, June 01, 2015 - 06:28 PM UTC
Tamiya has announced a new 1/35th scale Panther Ausf.D. According to the provided information this is a new tooling from Tamiya of this model.
This 1/35 Military Miniature Series model kit depicts the German Panther, a WWII AFV developed by Germany to combat the mighty Russian T-34. Given the importance of stopping the T-34 as the Russians turned the tide in WWII, the Panther was a priority and this was emphasized by armored warfare expert Heinz Guderian's role in the design process. The Panther packed a powerful L/70 7.5cm gun (rumored to have taken out a T-34 at 3km) and combined it with excellent mobility and a 55km/h top speed. Just as importantly, it made great use of T-34-inspired sloped armor, up to 80mm in places. As things turned out, development of the Panther was rushed as the German situation worsened, and this led to severe reliability problems in engagements such as the Battle of Kursk in July 1943. Despite that, it proved offensively and defensively highly capable. The Ausf.D was the initial variant of the Panther; 842 were manufactured between January and September 1943.

Specifications
1/35 scale plastic model assembly kit.
Newly-tooled kit captures the form of the Panther Ausf.D with sloped armor, and long 7.5cm gun.
Ausf.D-specific features include: smoke dischargers and rear panel layout.
Belt type tracks.
1-piece molded gun barrel features separate muzzle brake parts.
All hatches on the model (excluding small arms port), plus gun travel lock are moving parts.
Different materials such as cast iron mantel and steel armor plate are accurately depicted.
Radiator and fan are reproduced using separate parts, for a highly detailed finish.
Turret rear has opening escape hatch.
Built-in poly caps ensure that the wheel assembly is a straightforward process, and that wheels move after the model is finished.
Commander torso figure plus full body crew figure included.
3 marking options include Battle of Kursk unit.
Three detail-up parts sets are available to further enhance the realism of your model.

35345 1/35 German Tank Panzerkampfwagen V Panther Ausf.D
Availability: July
MSRP: $60.00
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Comments

Well......I pre-ordered it from HLJ along with the AM barrel. The "belt type tracks" in the newer Tamiya kits can not be compared to the old ones from the 70s. They aren't nearly as stiff and can be glued together by regular glue. I like this release.
JUN 02, 2015 - 08:48 AM
As far as I know, It is a matter of choice. Tamiya kits could be compatible with other company kits including super ultra high tech detailed kits. It has to do with multiple needs for various modeling kits IMHO.
JUN 02, 2015 - 09:34 AM
Most people buying this kit will be do so in Japan where the RRP is about $34.
JUN 02, 2015 - 03:48 PM
It should be remembered that the price indicated is the Tamiya recommended price and I have yet to see someone trying to sell a tamiya kit at those prices.
JUN 02, 2015 - 05:12 PM
True...rarely does the MSRP hold up. Makes you wonder why they start out there to begin with!
JUN 02, 2015 - 06:44 PM
CMOT sorry but most of the Hobby Shops at least in my home town sell the kits for over the MSRP. Which is why many are closing down I think. This kit with the tracks, barrel, Photo etch. and shipping will come to about $95 CND shipped from one of the on-line shops from Japan. The Taska/Tamiya reboxes of the Firefly and E8 were $99 at my LHS. MSRP in Japan is 4200 yen(appox $42 CDN.). Can't tell me that it costs $18.00 a kit to ship.
JUN 02, 2015 - 09:38 PM
When you factor in the thousands of kilometres to travel in order to get from Japan to Canada and the mindless import fees most Governments charge, then yes, it does cost quite a lot of money to ship a kit from HLJ etc in a reasonabley fast time.
JUN 03, 2015 - 01:32 AM
I have ordered from HLJ dozens of times. The postage HLJ charges for orders from Japan to Florida, per mile, has been cheaper than any other country I've ever ordered from. While I empathize with the LHS, they must be aware the competition is aggressive for your modeling dollar (money). Why else would I be buying from Japan (or any other country for that matter) unless the price of the kit, the import taxes, and the postage, is still cheaper than the kit on the shelf 10 miles from my home?? And add to all this...EBay...thousands of kits, from all over the world, all scales, for pennies on the dollar. My modeling money is readily available, yet being taught the value of a dollar and finding a bargain still reigns with me. No amount of peer pressure, or being shamed into supporting this shop or that shop, works here. To 'earn' my business...translation: get my money...is to prove to me you have the superior product that your competition has as well, yet willing to provide me the best deal so we both 'win'. We all do this when shopping for an automobile...so why is this line of financial thinking lost on the modeling hobby? Or is it? My 2 cents!
JUN 03, 2015 - 05:43 PM
Nothing wrong with a nice solid Tamiya release.They definitly fill a need for those who fine the Dragon kits too complicated.
JUN 03, 2015 - 07:28 PM
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