Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 04:14 AM UTC
Alliance Model Works have sent us images, and, interestingly, notes on the process behind their latest batch of 1/35th scale Update sets. The latter is extremely welcome as sometimes I get the feeling that whether a model needs an upate or not, some manufactures will produce one.. With the notes, AM-Works clearly demonstrate that yes, in these cases an Upate is certainly justified.
Three subjects are covered in the latest batch of releases - all, 1/35th scale: RSO (with Pak 40), Panther G and the Jagdpanther G1. In the case of the Panther G, there are two sets covering different aspects.

The first set is for DML's 75mm pak40 mit RSO. Time for the designer of the set to give THEIR reasoning:

This set provides a new bed assembly, front hatch cover assemblies and details for the gun. Shields and components of the shields are all provided in PE, with machined brass shield bolts in the set. The bed is made entirely of brass, with movable hinges that will lock up at 90 degrees. As you see in the pictures, the bed siding provided is just one of the options, modelers can scratch other types of sidings. The provided sidings though, is made out of thick brass, and each panel is joined by 2 pieces to provide woodgrain details on both sides as well as enhancing the feel of thickness. Using the provided sidings meant the entire bed can be soldered together. It's also easier to align the movable hinges with the brass sidings since positions are indicated.

The Dragon bed is short, but the chassis is actually quite accurate. Except the muffler would need to be modified and moved rearward slightly. Other than that, because we lengthened the bed, the mounting position for the gun is also altered. We managed to use 4 of the 8 positioning devices for the bed on the Dragon chassis so the bed is mounted almost the same way as the Dragon plastic. Because allocation of the gun mount, the front gun support was altered and lengthened (at its movable hinge). Dragon also missed the bar for the front gun support to lock into, that's provided in the set as well.
Instruction photos are included in the zipfile. You can see the missing A frame as well as correct type of seats (resin with PE seatpans) are provided. The covers for driver's compartment require 6 sets of movable hinges for each side. We provided extra on our connectionless fret, but for those that don't want to construct those at all, we also provided fake options.
In all, pretty easy to construct, as long as all parts are positioned precisely. Dimensions all matched the Dragon plastic well and the bed with all beams in place is flat like an ironing board.


Product number is LW35062. The set should retail below $40.

Onto the Panther Sets:

It has taken some time to adjust everything, but they're finally ready and should hit the market by end of month. They are:

LW35054 - Panther G detail set

LW35060 Jagdpanther G1 detail set

LW35061 Panther G anti-air armor set.


These 3 sets are all for Dragon's smart kits. Both sets should retail around $30, and the anti air armor pack is priced for around $10.

Since Dragon has only done G1 of jagdpanthers, LW35060 includes Panther A types of intake layouts. LW35054 obviously with the G2 type of layout.
Both sets features exhaust and stowage arrangement options to back date the models to any of the unit specific configurations. For Panther, the A type stowage bin racks as well as options to move tools and stowage tube to the engine deck are given. Late G IR stowage box (to replace the right bin) is also included.

Since Dragon has only done G1 of jagdpanthers, LW35060 includes Panther A types of intake layouts. LW35054 obviously with the G2 type of layout.
Both sets features exhaust and stowage arrangement options to back date the models to any of the unit specific configurations. For Panther, the A type stowage bin racks as well as options to move tools and stowage tube to the engine deck are given. Late G IR stowage box (to replace the right bin) is also included.

The Jagdpanther set does not include the IR stowage box (no example have been seen), but includes both types of rear wall stowage boxes for Pz.Jg.Abt 654. All antenna mounting and command antennas are included in both sets so modelers can build straight into command vehicles without acquiring additional after markets. Skirts, fenders and mudguards are all included.
We evaluated all the available Panther products on the market, and found numerous errors in them. These sets are designed according to dimensions of the Dragon kits, and all the details are confirmed with references. These 2 sets took a long time to adjust, but we're sure they're the best options today, and feature accuracy beyond our competitors

The anti air armor set includes different options (for the configuration in Italy as well as late production). Machined brass bolts are included to set the roof armor layers in place, works the same way as shield bolts.


Regarding the Photos of the sets, on the right are those of the RSO, at the bottom the Panthers.

For more details and ordering, check out the company website:

Alliance Model Works (LINK)

Our thanks to Brian Nicoletti of the company for the detailed informaton on the Updates!



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Comments

Nice sets, depending on the price. Voyager, for example, usually makes you buy these in sub-sets, especially the tube to hold the cleaning rod.
FEB 24, 2011 - 07:13 AM
Certainly, looks like a noble effort. However, it disturbs and saddens me that such an extensive update kit is required to correct a mainstream, latest generation kit, or is it? If it is, then why are we asked to pay in excess of $40 for plastic kits these days. I always wanted to build the RSO w/Pak 40, and I bought all possible upgrades for the old Italeri kit, including all 3(!) Aber PE sets. I never got to finish it, however, and was very excited when DML released their kit. Now, I am kind of glad I have not purchased it yet and I am not sure I ever will, even though the mainstream review of this kit was quite positive. Does it mean that no matter how good the base kit is, someone will always find something in it that needs to be corrected, or I am missing somethging here? Cheers, bob
FEB 24, 2011 - 08:08 AM
Bob, I think there are several factors at play here: 1.) Even newly-released kits get it wrong: And those that do need corrections. It shouldn't happen, but it does. Kit makers spend a reasonable amount of time on a project, but they can't make it exhaustive, not for $40. 2.) Popular kits lend themselves to "gold plating": You can build most kits released today OOB without problems. There might be fit issues, and other defects associated with the task of bringing CAD drawings to market, but many AM upgrades now are for "rivet counters" like myself (said with pride). You don't HAVE to have a turned aluminum barrel or PE mud guards. 3.) There will always be details that could be better: The DML Sd.Kfz.7 series, for example, is very good. You could build most of these kits OOB. The "mesh" on the FlaK versions, though, is wrong: it was really slats, not wire mesh. But the technology for doing the slats in styrene isn't there, and PE versions are either too complicated or too expensive (see my review of one AM set here).
FEB 24, 2011 - 08:44 AM
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