“Seidentasche aus dem Ohr einer Sau” is German for “Silk purse from a sow’s ear.” I like older kits and have a soft spot for building something beautiful from an old kit; however, when a kit is newly released, I expect more than a model from the 1970s. This kit traces its lineage to ESCI Kit No. 8026 (first released in 1974). This version of the kit first entered Italeri as Kit No. 7018 in 2004 with new decals. This kit (7018 on Italeri’s website, 557018 on MRC’s website) has amazing box art of a Panther Ausf A with Zimmerit, schürzen, new decals for five versions, link-and-length tracks, and one figure. Apart from the decals, this kit is the same as the previous Italeri version from 21 years ago, which is the same Esci kit going back over fifty years.

Reference the MRC website (https://www.modelrectifier.com/product-p/557018.htm),

The German Panzerkampfwagen V “Panther” is widely recognized as one of the best tanks that was produced during World War 2. It was deployed as a direct response to the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks on the Eastern Front, which were superior to both the Panzer III and Panzer IV in terms of performance and armaments. Powered by a 700 horsepower V-12 engine, it was armed with the 75 mm KwK 42 high speed gun which was a very effective anti-tank weapon. The Panther was designed with optimal armor protection, including inclined front armor. Its overall mobility, speed and armament made the Panther one of the leading tanks of the period, and ensured its deployment on all of the main operational fronts, from the East through Italy and France.

To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. Inside the side-opening box are instructions, a beautiful decal sheet and three sprues, two of which are the same for the past fifty years. The third sprue is the link-and-length tracks introduced in the 1990s to replace the single piece rubber tracks, which sadly, aren’t much of an improvement. I was looking forward to building a Panther Ausf A with Zimmerit and schürzen. After all, only a dozen or so of the Ausf A did not have Zimmerit applied (the Ausf D late models were leaving the factory with Zimmerit).

Disappointment aside, I decided to give this model a chance. The model builds straightforwardly, and the sequence is logical, although care needs to be taken as the parts are small in this scale. The sprues are not marked, nor are the part numbers. There are minor notes that are identified here by their instruction step:

Steps 1-2: This is perhaps one of the most frustrating parts of the build – the roadwheels and link-and-length track. I like to assemble the tracks to the drive sprocket and return roller, then remove the assembly for painting. That was not possible as tracks had to be assembled on the sprocket, return roller and interleaving roadwheels (some of which had to have their mounting holes enlarged or attachment points sanded smaller). To make it worse, the plastic used for the tracks was resistant to Tamiya Extra Thin. While some tracks stayed connected, I resorted to super glue and some choice words to complete the track runs. Even with all the care and time spent dry-fitting, I could not get the tracks to align properly, and one track is canted inward, the other outward. While the rubber tracks lacked detail, these were not much of an improvement, especially as neither have guide horns, never mind the next level of complexity – hollow guide horns.

Step 3: The age of the kit molds is again evident with blank spaces underneath the sponsons. To correct this oversight, the instructions provide templates to copy the three blanks to cut out and glue to each side. This step could be eliminated as the blank spots under the sponson aren’t visible with Schürzen installed (see Step 4 for why this is ironical).

Step 4: While Schürzen is shown on the box art, there are none in the box. Again, the instructions provide templates for the Schürzen for the modeler to use 0.25mm card to scratch build the skirts. To make this step even more ironical, there are templates to use on aluminum foil to make the Schürzen supports (all 42 of them), complete with folding instructions. To add insult to injury, the instructions call out “For support positioning, see color profiles.” And the color profiles are beautiful, but nothing about where the supports go, just the finished panzer with complete Schürzen.

Step 5: This is where the modeler’s patience really gets tested as this is the Zimmerit step. Of course, there are no Zimmerit parts in the kit. “To recreate Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating make a mix of ½ model putty and a ½ plastic glue.” The three steps for creating Zimmerit at this scale are intricate to say the least, just make sure the scribing is at 2mm intervals. At least the instructions provide examples of the three main Pather manufacturers’ Zimmerit patterns for Demag, M.A.N. and Daimler.

Step 9: The tow cables (Parts 3B) are molded straight, so care is needed to bend them with hot air, as noted in the instructions.

The instructions provide five options for marking the Pz.Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. A:

• Version A: “Großdeutschland” Pz. Reg, Iasi, Romania, April 1944
• Version B: Panzer Regiment 33, Wehrmacht 9^th Panzer Division, Falaise, Normandy, July 1944
• Version C: Panzer Regiment 31, Wehrmacht 5^th Panzer Division, Belarus, July 1944
• Version D: Panzer-Abt. Putlos, Wehrmacht Panzer Division “Clausewitz” Fallersleben, Northern Germany, 21 April 1945
• Version E: 5^th Elite Panzer Division, Panzer Regiment 5, Vistula front sector, Fall 1944

All were painted in late war schemes of dunkelgelb, rotbraun, and grün, all with different camouflage applications. I chose to replicate Version C (Panzer Regiment 31, Wehrmacht 5th Panzer Division, Belarus, July 1944), the decals were thin, in register and laid down well.

I was not going to let this model defeat me. As noted in Step 5, I attempted the Zimmerit coating. What a mistake, especially in this scale. Frustrating was too kind a word. Doing some research online, only a few of the Ausf A tanks didn’t have Zimmerit, and that is a large part of what makes this Panther variant unique. More research proved beneficial, and the best part was my discovery of Monroe Perdu Studios and its magnificent collection of paper Zimmerit. I ordered the Laser Etched Zimmerit for 1/72 Scale Revell Panther D/A (DB/M.N.H). A few days later, the laser etched Zimmerit arrived. As a bonus, the sheet also included schürzen, which was extremely fortunate as my Step 4 schürzen was abysmal. The laser cut paper Zimmerit comes with application instructions and adheres easily with PVA glue. Attached are photos of the Zimmerit applied (I forgot to take photos before starting the primer coat, thus the in-progress, progress shots).

h intermediate modeler skills of hollowing out machine gun barrels, adding “glass” to vision ports with white glue, and the amazing Monroe Perdu Studios Zimmerit and schürzen, this sow’s ear kit built into a beautiful silk purse.

I normally recommend a kit for a particular skill set; however, I cannot recommend it for beginner, intermediate or advanced modelers. For beginners who just want to build a non-Zimmerit, non- schürzen Panther Ausf A, the tracks alone will cause frustration beyond worth building the model, especially at this price point. The kit promised more than it delivered. Italeri’s new, beautiful box art isn’t worth the price, especially with better engineered kits from various manufacturers that negate the need for aftermarket schürzen, Zimmerit and tracks to go on a model kit that qualifies for AARP membership. I haven’t given up on Italeri, and I am still a huge fan; just do your research before spending your hard-earned hobby money.

Thanks to Model Rectifier Corporation and IPMS/USA for providing the review sample.