ICM's 1/35 Bergepanther with German Tank Crew By Don Barry

Bergepanther

When the first units equipped with Tigers and Panthers entered service, it was realized that heavier recovery vehicles were needed. It took three of the 18-ton Famo half-tracks to tow a Tiger, and even the lighter Panthers were a serious challenge. In 1944 development of a special recovery version of the Panther was requested by the Army. Basic Panther hulls, minus their turrets, were fitted with a powerful winch, and a heavy ground spade was installed on the rear of the hull. These vehicles were fitted with improved gearing and increased fuel capacity, and in some cases a 2cm. autocannon or MG 34 or MG 42 for self protection. Some vehicles, minus the winching gear and rear ground spade, were fielded as service vehicles, and some as ammunition and stores replenishment vehicles. A total of 297 vehicles were converted and served until the end of World War II.

The Kit

This early Bergepanther kit is based on the hull and running gear of the Panther D chassis. It consists of 409 parts, 216 of which are individual track links. A one piece lower hull with side sponsons, full one piece upper hull with all hatches and grills separately molded, and 4 sprues of other parts are molded in medium tan plastic. 4 black sprues of track links, and one gray sprue containing parts for a 4 man crew complete the parts inventory. A 6 page instruction sheet is provided, including a parts map and paint guide. Colors are referenced to Testor's Model Master enamel paints. Highlighted parts on the parts map indicate that a turreted gun tank is also produced.

4 sprues of track links, containing 54 links each, show minor flash on some links. Each link has 2 ejector marks on the outer face, but they are not deep. They closely resemble those from Model Kasten's early offerings. There are enough links for both track runs and some spares. The figures consist of a commander and three others in working poses, 2 of whom are in work fatigues. The faces are nicely done, with varied expressions, and one with a bare head. Uniform detail is nicely rendered. There is very minor flash on a couple of the hands. The mold seams are light, and appear to be easily removed.

Two of the parts sprues are duplicates, containing the wheels and torsion bar arms, sprockets, idler wheels, and engine deck grills. Surface detail is quite crisp, with subtle cast texture visible on the appropriate parts. The lower hull has all the access ports molded on the bottom, as well as torsion bar collars and anchor points on the side walls. The road wheels have a different texture on the rubber tire portions versus the wheels. The welded joints and cut edges of the armor plates are well rendered. The rear stowage bins have nicely detailed separate lids. Delicate width indicators are provided for the front fenders, which have the early curved extensions, held on by tiny, delicately cast individual wing nuts. The exterior tools are cleanly cast, showing round molded-on clasps. None of the interior winch structure is included in the kit, nor is the commonly seen rear mounted ground spade. The turret opening is closed by a two-part, wood-grained round cover, again secured by tiny wing nuts. This served as a work surface and weather cover, and exhibits nice wood texturing. The 1 1/2 ton capacity movable lifting derrick is well rendered, with nice chain and cable detail. It can be assembled and placed on either side of the upper hull. Separate towing bars and stowage brackets are supplied. The oversized rear towing pintle installed on the Bergepanthers is well done.

Markings are limited to 3 black and white Balkan crosses, well printed and registered, on thin decal film. Paint options for two vehicles are shown, though one is labeled for Kursk, 1943, before the first vehicles were produced. One vehicle is in overall dark yellow, while the second is dark yellow with medium green wavy lines.

Assembly starts with the lower hull, installing torsion bar arms, final drive housings, road wheels, rear plate and exhausts. (Steps 1 through 12) Work then moves to the interior of the upper hull, with vision ports, periscopes, transmission access plate and hatches installed. Upper and lower hulls are mated, with upper hull details added. Tracks are assembled and installed at step 23, though it might be easier to do this sooner, before the small upper hull details are added. The final details are then added, with the building of the lifting jib, towing bars, and rear towing pintle. One thing to watch for is that the parts are numbered on the instruction sheet, with the letter of the sprue, but no numbers are engraved on the sprues themselves.

Conclusion

Overall, I have to say this is a very nice kit. I was less impressed with some of the earlier offerings from ICM, but this one is different. With crisp detail, very rare instances of flash,and some nicely cast delicate fasteners, this is a winner. Filling the ejector marks on the tracks, though tedious, should not be difficult. The crew figures are well done, though the normal complement was five men. I recommend this kit, especially as it is only the second injection molded offering of this vehicle. My thanks to ICM for the review sample. I look forward to building this one.