Italeri 90290 Pz. Kpfw. V Panther Ausf. D 1/35

The Panzerkampfwagen V Panther is one of the most famous and successful German tanks of World War II. Its creation was a direct response to an encounter with the Soviet T-34 tank on the Eastern Front - the The Wehrmacht needed a vehicle that could combine strong armour, mobility and an effective main gun. The result was the Panther, a medium-weight tank with heavily sloped frontal armour, a powerful 75mm KwK 42 L/70 gun, and a drive system that allowed rapid movement in the field. The first production version of the Ausf. D began production in late 1942 and early 1943 and was first deployed in July 1943 during Operation Citadel at Kursk. Although the Ausf. D had a number of initial technical problems (particularly with the engine and transmission), it quickly proved to be a formidable opponent of the Allied tanks.

The Ausf. D differs from later versions in several distinctive features: The "Fahrersehklappe" type command dome with a direct view, the absence of a machine gun in the hull (the MG 34 machine gun was located only in the turret), the specific design of the armor plates and brakes. These details are important for modellers, as they allow to clearly identify the early version of the Panther and distinguish it from the later Ausf. A and G.

Italeri 1:35 offers a large enough format for precise processing of all the characteristic features - the sloping armour plates, the chassis with overlapping wheels, the turret and barrel details. The 1:35 scale is standard for military equipment and allows easy addition of crew figures, terrain accessories or incorporation into a diorama depicting a battle scene from the Eastern or Western Front. The Panther is suitable for beginners who want to build an iconic type, as well as for advanced modellers focused on weathering, detailing and historical accuracy of specific units.

Painting is usually done using a basic German dark yellow paint (Dunkelgelb) with possiblegreen and brown camouflage stripes, or winter white camouflage depending on the chosen period and environment. Weathering may include paint scuffs on the edges, dust, mud on the undercarriage and traffic marks consistent with heavy deployment on the front line. Package does not include paint or adhesives needed for assembly.