Other than the first two sprues and one PE fret, everything else is the same as the Jagdpanther II kit. I'm currently building the JP kit and it goes together reasonably well though the tracks are overly complicated with 5 separate parts. It's very difficult to assemble them well and maintain workability. Even if you do, they are quite fragile. Looking forward to the Panther II kit, but not the tracks. BTW, both Fruil and Spade Ace KT transport tracks fit this kit.

It looks good. Actually, it looks like they did correctly model the turret based on the one from Panzer Tracts which means it will be subtly different from the Panther F turret.

No the actual Panther II turret is completely different, it was based on the Ausf A turret which a much smaller cast mantlet and more narrow front. The Panther II was a mid war project not a late war one as many think it was. The Panther II was canceled long before the turret in the kit was desgned. It predates the Ausf G. I have been planning to scratch build one for some time based on the Panzer Tracts drawings. This should make a much better base kit than the old Dragon one.

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No the actual Panther II turret is completely different, it was based on the Ausf A turret which a much smaller cast mantlet and more narrow front. The Panther II was a mid war project not a late war one as many think it was. The Panther II was canceled long before the turret in the kit was desgned. It predates the Ausf G. I have been planning to scratch build one for some time based on the Panzer Tracts drawings. This should make a much better base kit than the old Dragon one.

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Looks like the one in Panzer Tracts 5-4, which is different from the later Schmalturm. It has the right mantlet, "flaps" on the side of the back of the turret, like traditional Panther turrets, the escape hatch on the back is to the right, only mistake seems to be the inclusion of the rangefinder, and possibly the grenade launcher and wide range periscope, although those might be details not seen on the drawings that might have been adopted anyway. Is there a more updated drawing on other Panzer Tracts?

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No the actual Panther II turret is completely different, it was based on the Ausf A turret which a much smaller cast mantlet and more narrow front. The Panther II was a mid war project not a late war one as many think it was. The Panther II was canceled long before the turret in the kit was desgned. It predates the Ausf G. I have been planning to scratch build one for some time based on the Panzer Tracts drawings. This should make a much better base kit than the old Dragon one.

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Looks like the one in Panzer Tracts 5-4, which is different from the later Schmalturm. It has the right mantlet, "flaps" on the side of the back of the turret, like traditional Panther turrets, the escape hatch on the back is to the right, only mistake seems to be the inclusion of the rangefinder, and possibly the grenade launcher and wide range periscope, although those might be details not seen on the drawings that might have been adopted anyway. Is there a more updated drawing on other Panzer Tracts?

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I think thats the only drawing in existence and its taken from written descriptions. The original drawings were lost. The actual turret was never built, the project was canceled before the turret was made leaving only a hull. the turret on the hull now was taken from a ausf g panther and put on at I think Aberdeen proving grounds after the war.

Good discussion on the turret, appreciate learning something new. Any feedback on the layout of the hatches, and the rear deck? Does it represent how it was supposed to have been?

Good discussion on the turret, appreciate learning something new. Any feedback on the layout of the hatches, and the rear deck? Does it represent how it was supposed to have been?