Panzerkampfwagen V Panther
The German Panther is one of the Third Reich's most recognizable vehicles of the mid and late war era of World War II. Originally designed as a counter to the Soviet's T-34, it became a solid partner for its heavier hitting Tiger cousins. Panthers were an excellent combination of anti-tank firepower, mobility, and protection and set a high bar for future Allied tanks that would eventually go on to even influence designs of post-war armored vehicles. Rushed into combat in 1943, the Panther's career would go on to be characterized by always fighting outnumbered, downhill battles thereby hampering its maximum possible battlefield potential. By the end of World War II, an estimated 6,000 Panthers had been completed in comparison to nearly 85,000 T-34s and 50,000 Shermans.
Assembling a Panther for Bolt Action
Warlord Games produces an amazing plastic kit for the Panther ausf A through Italeri. It is bare minimum and assembles exactly what you want: a single Panther ausf A without any extra pieces that make the infamous bells and whistles of Games Workshop sprues. So no need to organize all those useless bits you'll likely never open again! When I was starting off my German Panzer Division, following the announcement of Tank War, a plastic Panther kit was the first thing I picked up.
If you have any plans investing into Tank War, I highly recommend perusing through Warlord's model range to see if there are plastic kits for the tanks you're looking for. They are light, easy to assemble, and very sturdy. The molds have great detail -- exactly what you'd expect if you have a company like Italeri handling your plastics!
Thoughts on the Panther in Bolt Action
The Panther is a solid choice for German Panzer Companies or as a vehicle to have to support your Heer or Waffen-SS in a standard Bolt Action game. Possessing a heavy hitting anti-tank gun, the Panther is capable of making short work of enemy vehicles and its sloping frontal armor ensures a level of survivability that the Panzer III and Panzer IV does not possess. It is, however, expensive for its points -- something very important to take into consideration. If you're likely going to be fighting in a regular Bolt Action game, it's probably a better idea to invest in something else.
Always nice to get intelligence on enemy units. Any Soviet action in your neck of the woods?
ReplyDeleteNot quite yet. I know of plenty of Soviet players, but haven't actually had games with them yet.
DeleteOn another note, I have plans of eventually starting a Soviet Armored Company at some point. Once my Germans are all squared away, haha!