Well guys, here she is. This kit met my expectations when it came to detail, especially compared to their older models. I wasn't at all suprised to see the "rubber band" tracks included, I suppose Tamiya expects you to buy their Panther G indy tracks. Also, this kit lacked any PE what-so-ever, again relying on you to buy their "aftermarket" Panther G PE set. I said to hell with it and decided to build this out of the box. Construction was very straight forward, and rather easy. Fit was excellent and few parts required additional cleanup other than from sprue removal. This is a typical Tamiya model, simple engineering with moderate detail, making you rely on the plethora of aftermarket kits available.

I wanted to portray the latest vehicle possible without going into the "primer" phase so after consulting the RAL numbers and www.miniatures.de's information on german AFV colors, I chose to give it a basecoat of olive green (Tamiya XF-58) followed by camoflage of red brown (XF-64) and dark yellow (XF-60). I used Windsor and Newton Burnt Umber for the dark pinwashes. Mr. Hobby pastels were used to give her the dusty look and acryclic sienna paint was used to give the tracks a muddy appearance since enamels flake off the vinyl track. I did run into a bit of an issue with a new Flat clear coat I bought from the LHS here. It is the "super clear coat flat" from Mr. Hobby. It comes in a tall silver can and white label. DO NOT USE THIS ON PLASTIC! It ate through the gloss coat, paint and make some divot marks in the plastic. I had no idea about this until i sprayed it on and it happend, then looked the product up online and found out about its tendency to wage a one sided war on plastic. I wasn't very happy and you can notice some on the sides of the super structure in the pictures. Let this be a warning, if the entire can is in Japanese....research before you use!!!

I would recommend this kit to builders of all levels.

without further interruption, my Jagdpanther:

Justin,
You just keep getting better and better. The figures are outstanding!
There is one thing I thing you can correct really easy that will make just that little bit better would be to hollow out the gunsight. I guess there could be a second thing, the towing wire looks fixed to the front, but loose on the back. It'd probably come off in travelling rough terrain.

Besides that, Top Notch!

Richard

Hi Justin, very nice indeed , Great paint and weathering and like the fact you didn't kill the tank with chipping. Figures look nice too.


Great job!

nice job on your Jagdpanther Justin. The painting and weathering look good. I can't paint figures to save my life so I'll say they are also well done, except for the mold seam on the one guys neck.
What's next on the bench?

Rob

Hi Justin, this is looking sharp! I think the figures could use a careful toothpick size black dots for eyes (or/and thin line). Watch injector pin marks circles on hatches. The weathering and overall appearance is better then the last one, so I think a kit doesn't always need a million parts to look like a tank.
Great job

hey guys, thanks for the positive remarks. I should have paid a bit more attention to those seam lines on the loader, he was from my Tamiya Jagdpanzer IV kit so he's quite old.

Rich, good thinking on the tow cables, I was following the directions and didnt even think of that, good looking out!

Rob, thanks for dropping in. I'm just trying to keep up with your amazing looking models you've done so far. Next up on the bench is going to be Dragons Panzer IV ausf. C, DAK. Also, i am trying to think of a "frankenstein" tank for the 88mm campaign, something that didnt have an 88mm gun on it in real life. Try my scratchbuilding on that.

Greg, thanks for the comments. I'll try to keep those tips in mind on the next model.

Thanks to all of you for your positive help

nice! i built this one a while ago. i really like the front fenders and the 2nd crewmember

Hey Justin,
From what I can see, everything turned out very well.
Other than the few "tweaks" to the vehicle mentioned by the other guys, I would suggest you remove the mold lines on your figures arms and the big ones on your guy's necks.
It will certainly improve their appearance.
While no longer considered #1, Sheperd Paine's books on modelling techniques are worth acquiring.

http://sheperdpaine.com/books/index.htm

Cheers

jjumbo

I've got to learn to pay as much attention to detail on the figures as I do my tank.

As always, thanks for dropping in jjumbo, your advice is always appreciated.

Good work Justin, like your camo pattern and colors. Keep at it, hope all is going well over there! Thanks for sharing!

Cheers -

Tim

Tim, thanks for dropping in! I haven't heard from you in awhile, everything is going pretty smooth over here, about to head out to a field excerise, a peninsula wide type. Tons of fun, lots of brass! ha. how are you?

The clear coat from the can - that ate the plastic - doesn't look that bad, it just looks like battle damage in the photos.

Looks good. Nice job on the camouflage. I would also thin the front fenders a bit. Especially when you apply battle damage.

Thanks for sharing

Been doing okay Justin! Keeping busy with the floating, all is well though. Should have the Sd.Kfz. 7/1 done here by week's end, so that's good.

Have fun with your exercise! Stay out of the brass' way! Chat with ya soon!

Cheers -

Tim

Hey Justin,
Looks really good, only critique I would have is the same as above about the seams on the figures. Other than that great work! Keep it up!

Getting better Justin getting better.
A couple of things.
Thin out the front areas of the Fenders as appear to thick.
Some not filled knock out marks on the Hatches.
But not to dang bad.
So I guess your Tour is almost over.
Any PCS orders Yet?
Keep the faith dude.
A good song to get you in the Mood if you want to build a Vietnam deal is.
http://songza.com/z/xdxa3d

Same as Mig Pigments song and a great one it is.

Phil,
I was hoping someone would chalk it up to battle damage. I was more than displeased when it happend. Thanks for dropping by!

Jesper, I will keep the fender thinning in mind next time, or perhaps replace them with soda can aluminum.

Tim,
This exercise was crazy. Stuck next to a training base, and all we heard was the afterburners of the F-5s and training aircraft. Headaches constantly. Looking forward to seeing that Sdkfz. 7/1!!!

Kross, thanks for dropping in on another build! I've been out of the loop for two weeks, you had a build on here recently didn't you? how is it coming along?

Jeff,
Tour is up in 6 months!! then its stateside woot! I'm going to hit on every girl just cuz they will understand me! I'm keepin the faith over here, i was going crazy with my M-16 instead of my airbrush, i've been dying to get to the LHS and pick up a few kits, two of them will be included in a secret build I've got coming up for the 88mm campaign.

hey justin, hope your head feels better!!
yeah I've got a build going, the old tamiya panther..its allright, got alot of work to do on the whitewash!
Can't wait to see your 'secret build'!! I have one of my own going too, its good to have something of your own going too
take care