Tamiya 35345 - 1:35 Panther Ausf.D

Plastic model kit of the German Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf.D in 1:35 scale

The Panther made its combat debut at Kursk in July 1943 and quickly proved one of the most dangerous tanks of the war, thanks to its long 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun and well-sloped frontal armour. Tamiya 35345 depicts the Ausf.D, the first production version, using entirely new tooling from 2015.

The D version has features that set it apart from later Panthers: the drum-shaped commander's cupola and the smoke grenade dischargers on the turret sides. The model captures these details, and the hull and turret are built from very well-fitting parts.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and running gear parts
• Vinyl band tracks
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35345
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 247 mm (gun forward)
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

The 2015 tooling means a clear parts breakdown and excellent fit — the build flows smoothly and the kit can safely be recommended to anyone starting out with German armour. The vinyl band tracks make short work of the complex interleaved running gear; it is worth taking care to align the road wheels neatly.

For painting, the typical German colours of 1943 are recommended: a Dunkelgelb base (e.g. Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow) with patches of green (XF-58 Olive Green) and red brown (XF-64 Red Brown). Applying decals over a gloss coat helps to avoid decal silvering, with a matt varnish as the final finish. A wash brings out the welds and hull detail, while pigments on the tracks suit a vehicle from the Eastern Front.

For modellers looking for a higher level of detail, Tamiya offers separate accessories for this kit: individual-link tracks (Tamiya 12665), a metal barrel (Tamiya 12664) and photo-etched parts (Tamiya 12666). These are not part of the box and must be purchased separately.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf.D:

The Panther was Germany's answer to the shock of encountering the Soviet T-34. German designers adopted the idea of steeply sloped frontal armour from their opponent and combined it with the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun, whose exceptionally high muzzle velocity could defeat Allied tank armour at long range.

The Ausf.D was the first production version. The roughly 44.8-tonne vehicle was powered by a 700 hp Maybach HL230 P30 engine and operated by a crew of five. Its recognition features are the drum-type commander's cupola and the smoke grenade dischargers on the turret sides.

The Panther entered combat at the Battle of Kursk in July 1943. The haste with which it was rushed into service showed: early examples suffered powertrain failures. Even so, the potential of the design was clear, and later versions made the Panther one of the most formidable tanks of the war's second half.

Original vehicle specifications (Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf.D):

• Combat weight: approx. 44.8 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun
• Powerplant: Maybach HL230 P30, 700 hp
• Suspension: torsion bar
• Ausf.D features: drum-type commander's cupola, smoke grenade dischargers
• Combat debut: Battle of Kursk, July 1943

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. It began in the timber trade and wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the scale as the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for exceptionally precise tooling and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. For selected kits Tamiya develops separately sold detail-up accessories — metal barrels, individual-link tracks and photo-etched parts — that raise the level of detail. Alongside plastic kits the company offers a full range of paints, cements, tools and brushes. It is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.