Another one of my builds that has been sitting on the shelf for a while, because I started it to check the Eduard Zimmerit and Photo-etch for a review.

A quick word about the ICM kit. I knew ICM only from reputation, and was under the impression that the kits were not the best to get. Tales of flash and soft moulded detail had not given me an urge to try the Armour kits untill last year when I bought the ICM Panther Ausf. D for the purpose of the review.
I was very pleasantly surprised... The kit is moulded in soft plastic, which does not give it the 'feel' of a modern quality kit, but all the parts are cleanly cast, no flash at all apart from some around the individual track links. The level of detail is very good, without a number of dimensional problems encountered in other kits (such as the Dragon kit of the Ausf. D "251" at Kursk) .
Fit of the parts is excellent, with just the gap between the rear of the engine deck and the rear hull plate needing some filler. The gap at the rear of the air intakes is correct, although perhaps a bit big.
The rear turret hatch has a 'working' hinge, which as far as I can see is pretty much spot on.
The sliding armoured cover around the commanders cupola is also movable, but care is needed to eliminate the seam around its circumference.
Despite the well designed hatches, no interior detail is provided at all, not even a (basic) gun breech.
The Suspension arms are separate, so with a little extra work can be posed in an articulated fashion, if you would want to put the model on an undulating base. The wheels are the early 16 bolt ones. Whilst I am not a Panther expert, I understand that those who have studied the Panther in some depth agree that this is the best model of the early Panther Ausf. D on the market at the moment.

I decided to add the Eduard zimmerit, even though it is not quite the right pattern. The individual pieces are a near perfect fit, with just a small amount of filler going to be needed to clean up a few corners. The brass shapes well around corners, and although a bit to 'even' for some tastes, looks quite good when done. Combined with the 16 bolt wheels I have decided to build a BefehlsPanther, the extra Aerials and mounts are actually included in the ICM kit. I have a number of pictures of Ausf D befehlsPanthers, with horizontal Zimmerit pattern, with 16 bolt wheels, and the earlier Drum cupola.

The Eduard Photo-etch set needs no introduction, and I refer you to the pictures to see how it meassures up..





















The skirts are just tacked in place, and the front of the storage tube will remain open, with some cleaning rods visible inside..


Cheers
Henk

Nice model mate,I have the Berge but it is on the to do list.Whats wrong with the Dragon Panther D's then,any ideas. Matt

nice work
zimmerit still looks pretty good for PE I was wondering what it looked like on a kit

Thanks Matt, Alexander,



I can't remember the exact details off hand, but I remember that the Pistol port on the left turret side is to low, the lifting hook on the turret roof rear needs to be turned by 90 degrees, and I don't think that the front mudguard extensions and width indication poles are included (which you need for the "251" tank). I believe that there are some dimensional or pattern problems with the fan housings, and the (lack of?) gap between the intakes and the rear hull plate.

Henk

Looks great so far Henk.. good idea using the straw for the rod tube.. I never wouldve thought of that. About the Dragon kit.. the Premium kit does come with the fender parts and width indicators.. it also has the gap between the intakes and the rear wall as well... and your right about the port on the left, but its off just barely..and not difficult to correct.

Nicely done Henk - Thanks for sharing your pictures, looking forward to the painting! Cheers!

Tim

ICM's timing was unfortunate. If they had gotten their kit out when they first announced it, it would have been THE Panther kit to buy, but their bankruptcy and reorganization delayed it for several years. Dragon beat them to the punch, and that kit just has more sophisticated tooling. Still, ICM's is far better than Italeri's dismal effort.
Couple of other details to mention. The newer editions of the Dragon kit include link to link track with open centerguide teeth, while the ICM kit has solid teeth. PART offers photoetch replacement teeth (Inexpensive but tedious), or you could use aftermarket tracks, I suppose, but they can cost as much as the entire Dragon kit. ICM's round radiator fan grills are undersized (you could swipe a couple from the Dragon A kit, as you get four--two radial pattern and two spiral pattern). The tanks at Kursk would generally have had the earlier pattern grill with the complicated edge design not included in either Dragon's or ICM's version. It's available as a resin item from MIG Productions, if you want to backdate the Dragon or ICM kit.

Thanks Tim,

the straw idea came to me as I was pondering the tedious job of putting the two halves from the kit together, removing the seam and strap detail, to ready it for the PE. As I do my modelling in the kitchen (...don't ask... ) the straws were kind of 'staring me in the face'. .
Thanks for the update on the Premium kit. I was refering to the earlier Dragon kit, but then again, at the rate that Dragon is going at the moment, they are rapidly outdating their own kits...it's worse than buying a computer. You know that as soon as you buy Dragons latest kit, an 'upgraded' version is released by CyberHobby, which is soon followed by a Smart Kit from Dragon. Which is then released by CyberHobby with all the PE and Turned barrels that the Smart kit left out...

Personally, I have given up on the avalanche of Tigers, Panthers and Panzer IV's that come from Dragon. Don't get me wrong, they are good kits, but really, enough already... I some times feel that it's like Football (the Soccer kind, with the round ball... ) outfits, two or three different outfits every season? When one used to last for years, or at least untill the shirt sponsor changed? The clubs are just milking the fans for every penny they can get.

Cheers
Henk

Thank you Tim (Kelly),

As soon as the last few details are fixed, it's going in the paintshop.

Cheers
Henk

Thanks for the update Gerald, much appreciated.

Regards the tracks, I'm still in two minds about them. Whilst it is tempting to replace them, I feel that the fact that I will add the complete set of skirts leaves only the guide teeth on the bottom run between the wheels visible. I think I may just open those few that are visible up.

I bought the HKCW individual track link set for the Italeri Leopard when I build it a few years ago. That was not just a waste of money, but a total waste of (substantial ) effort. You can only see a small section of the tracks, and the rubber band tracks in the kit are easily as good....

Cheers
Henk

Nice work so far Henk, opening up the guide horns on the tracks that would be visible shouldn't be too difficult for the ones in question. Just a matter of drilling the holes and shaping with a needle file.

First stage of painting has been completed, weathering will be next. I plan on only a light filter, to tie everything together, and to bring out the detail.

Hang on, there, Henk, you've gotten ahead of yourself! The challenge with photoetched Zimmerit is that it can end up looking like aluminum siding if you're not careful (even Tamiya's own boxtop photo of their Panther G with Eduard Zimmerit looks terrible, because of poor joints). The key is to seal every single edge, joint and corner with body putty or epoxy putty. The right front edge of the turret has a huge bare metal edge showing, and all your beautiful paint work will be for nought if you don't tidy it up. And there are numerous other spots where a dab of putty will do wonders to make it look like, well, a lot of dabs of putty. And you can also introduce "mistakes" and smears here and there on the Zimmerit surface using the same putty, which will do wonders for its overall appearance.

Thanks Gerald, the extra eyes of forum members are a valuable tool when it comes to spotting those things that you just overlook when you are busy with it. I did cover the joints with dissolved sprue, and most are pretty well fixed. I will work on a few that the paint has shown to be needing more attention. Perhaps I shall get the putty out later.

Cheers
Henk

Henk -
Camo pattern looking real good. Simple enough, a wash should bring all the details out very nicely, give a good contrast and depth to all the items you've added. Again, appreciate the pictures, one of my favorite German tanks. Cheers!

Tim

Been a while, but I have made some more progress with the Panther. Just about finished, it will need a final filter and weathering session once the figure and base are completed.













Cheers
Henk

Looks good Henk.

I guess you have decided to not use metal tracks?

Well I guess the choice is yours.

Have you tried Atak Zim?

Good stuff.

I am also trying to work a Panther But an A version Dragon of cause with Zim.

Well Good luck on the thing kind of like Tigers once you do one you want them all.

Thanks Jeff,




No, seeing as this project started only as a test bed for the zimmerit review. It's a nice kit, and a nice tank, but I already have a small fortune of AM for the Pz IV, and I'm not going to add the Panther to that as wel..





No, but after this I probably will...

You won't be disappointed Henk great stuff it does cost more then Cavalier Zim but worth it.

Actually Cav stuff is a little easier to use.

Good luck.