Kit Review: cyber-hobby.com 1/35 scale Kit No. 51 (Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale '39-'45 Series Kit No. 6626); Flak Panther Ausf. D - s.Pz.Jg.Abt. 653 - Smart Kit; 664 parts (551 in grey styrene, 83 etched brass, 14 clear styrene, 12 etched nickel, 2 turned brass, 2 DS plastic track runs); estimated retail price US$52.50

Advantages: another unique subject

Disadvantages: another one off model

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all German fans and fans of Abteiling 653 and their adventures

DML's cyber-hobby.com affiliate has released another "boutique" kit of a one-off vehicle conversion - a Panther Ausf. D converted to a self-propelled flak gun by adding a 2 cm Flakviering mount in place of the original’s turret. I have no information on this conversion other than what I have seen on the Internet websites, and the only argument seems to have been whether or not this vehicle was converted from a Panther Ausf. D or a D which had already been converted into a Bergepanther.

This kit is not so much based on the 2006 issue kit of the D (a "Premium Edition") as it is the later Panther A and G kits with some other bits mixed in. The result is a pretty good representation of the D but as such there is no zimmerit or any other interim finish applied (what I have on it says most Ds were built before they began to applying it so not a problem).

The kit uses some bits from other kits – mostly the older D/A kit and the G "Smart Kit" variants - with a set of etched brass from Kit No. 6340 which I have no record of being released; this has some 101 fewer etched brass bits than the standard fret for Panthers.

The complete Flakvierling assembly from the Sd.Kfz. 7/1 kit is provided along with a set of brass for this gun as well. As whichever hull is correct for the vehicle (D or Bergepanther) most of the "gun tank" fittings are left off so it is a much cleaner looking vehicle when complete.

This model comes with the DS plastic tracks so modelers tired of dealing with single links will be grateful. Three-piece single links are included for the spare track racks on the hull.

Research and technical assistance are credited to Notger Schlegtendal, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.

As this was a one-off vehicle only one finishing option is included, s.Pz.Jg.Abt. 653, Russia 1944 (tricolor with unit markings and crosses) and a small Cartograf sheet is provided.

Overall, this is another one-off for the fan of oddities, but a nicely done effort.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.