Dragon M1 Panther II Mine Detection and Clearing Vehicle (3534)

by Frank De Sisto

1/35th-scale plastic and metal. Contains: 316 (including 13 clear) styrene parts, one bag of “Magic Tracks”, two sheet styrene parts, three lengths of chain, one wire cable, one fret of photo-etched brass, four decal schemes and eight pages of instructions in 16 steps. Price: unavailable.

The Abrams MBT series has been a staple of most kit manufacturers since the vehicle first saw service. Tamiya has issued four versions (M1, M1A1 with mine plough, M1A1 and most recently M1A1/A2). Academy released an ‘A1 and recently also re-released it with some much-needed improvements (see this site for a review). AMT/ESCI did an M1 and an M1A1, which are best ignored. Italeri recently released an Abrams, while Trumpeter has actually released a Panther II. DML has also had several variations prior to this release. Forget ALL of them!

This kit has all of the things that an Abrams kit has been lacking, and all are in the same box. For instance, the hull simply eclipses all that have come before. It includes the one main item that no manufacturer has ever made any attempt at properly portraying: a proper rear engine deck. This includes separate left- and right-hand doors with full internal baffle detail, which can be shown opened. On these are installed separate grills for the proper appearance. The tail-lamps have separate armored sleeves, separate lamps and clear lenses. The hull top features several key items, the most noteworthy being the non-skid texture common to modern AFVs. There is also separate fuel filler caps with detailed orifices should the modeler desire to show them opened. The removable engine access section is separate, so that an after-market engine may be installed. The tool locker lids are separate as are the two front fenders (which properly lack the “X” stamping). The drivers hatch is properly configured (and includes clear periscope inserts), while the hatch coaming itself is depicted, correctly, without a raised edge. The separate head-lamps have the proper early-style guards as well as separate clear lenses. The hull side features the small circular port as well as the small rectangular fire extinguisher opening with pull-handle. Near the front fenders, there are also the L-shaped torsion springs molded in place.

The lower hull features complete and correct details including separate suspension arms, separate mounting system for the side skirts and even sheet styrene to fill in the sponsons. Also included are newly-tooled road and idler wheels, as well as new drive sprockets with mud chute/lighting holes and choice of two different, separate outer sprocket tooth rings. The individual-link “Magic Tracks” depict the so-called “Big Foot” type. The side-skirts are beautifully rendered, include properly placed and detailed hinges and can be shown opened. To the tops of the skirts are added photo-etched weather strip details (including separate bolt heads; good luck!) that were only previously available as an after-market item. In short, the detail is as complete as one could ask for.

There is no “turret” in the conventional sense on the Panther II. In its place is a large circular plate with a commander’s cupola from an M113 mounted centrally. The cupola mounts a .50 cal. M2 heavy machine gun that features a pre-drilled bore using slide-molds, as well as alternate parts for the gun and ammo box cradle (either plastic or photo-etch). The cupola also features clear periscope inserts. There are smoke grenade launchers either side of the cupola, as well as antennae, remote-operation video camera, metal wire tow cable, “bustle rack” and other smaller details.

The second most impressive item in this kit is the mine roller assembly. It is broken down to 117 styrene parts, and also uses some of the provided metal wire, as well as the sections of chain. It is completely operational and can be raised, lowered or removed. It is a very complex molding, but test fitting indicates that with care, it will do what DML says it will.

Speaking of test fitting, I cleaned up and assembled several of the main components in preparation for this review and here’s what I have found. There are a couple of small problems due to the complexity of the kit’s rear end. For instance, there is no positive locating tab to aid the modeler in precisely aligning the rear plate (B24) with the upper hull rear edges (A1). This in itself would not be a big problem except for the fact that the lower hull on my sample was warped (actually slightly twisted). These two factors will make a precise fit a bit of a challenge for the modeler. Another glitch concerns flash in one of the openings for a periscope in the driver’s hatch. It is actually not flash, but nearly solid plastic. Cleaning it up will be a chore, especially if the modeler wishes to maintain the integrity of the details around the opening. Other parts such as the separate plate for the upper engine deck (B26) will require careful clean-up of its edges in order to properly fit. Likewise the circular plate upon which is situated the commander’s cupola will need some careful clean-up in order to fit snugly over the turret ring opening. The main arms for the mine rollers (C11, 12, 13 & 14) will need attention where they join because they have some complex angles and curves. You can’t just slap them together! The central “dog-bone” comes in four parts (D16), which will require extra care in assembly in order to get rid of the seams and not damage the dimples on the surface. The two lids for the tool lockers (G13 & 14) have their handles molded in place. These should be replaced with resin after-market offerings. The individual-link tracks each have two knock-out pins that need cleaning, as well as a single sprue point to remove and clean up. They fit together quite well using friction, but should be fixed with cement after being fitted to the tank.

The instructions are in the conventional line-drawing style we have come to expect from this manufacturer. They are clear, but in some cases “busy”, so care must be exercised by the modeler. I especially appreciated the plan view of the hull for the placement of the photo-etched weather strips and bolts, although I’d replace the latter items with styrene bolts. Also very convenient was the call-out of the proper number of tracks for each side of the model; they differ due to the staggered positions of the suspension arms. The decal schemes accurately cover all four of the vehicles in service, including two in Germany and one each in Kosovo and Iraq. In that respect, DML’s sister group, Concord Publications has a very fine reference book, “Assault”, Volume 8, with a pair of very useful color photo reference articles by this kit’s technical advisor, Ralph Zwilling. See this site for a review of the book’s contents. The decals themselves (from Italy’s Cartograf) are cleanly printed, are in perfect register and feature excellent color saturation. Color notes are keyed to Gunze and Testors’ Model Master paints.

This kit offers the possibility for a back-date to a “slick” M1 by using the proper turret from the original Tamiya kit, or an IP M1 by using a highly-modified turret from the Academy kit. I suppose what is most exciting about this kit is that DML has also announced forthcoming M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP kits, both based on this new tooling. I can’t wait!

Highly recommended.

Reviewer’s note: It must be noted that as of May, 2005, I am working with a DML subsidiary, Concord Publications, on several forthcoming books. Nevertheless, I will continue to strive to maintain my integrity as a reviewer.

DML kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.