Hi Duncan,
As it hapens, our AMPS chapter is doing a group-buid using the DML Panther G-series kits right now.
This link will take you to our home page and you can then tab over to our group-build page and down-load our build notes and tips from the links under Group Build 2:
AMPS Central SC "Wildcats" The short answers on your particular build questions are:
Cuckoo was Zimmerited G model, so it was constructed before 7-10 Sep '44 (it also appears to me to have the "rough" stucco-like DB Zimmerit). Therefore, it should have the "early" G features:
Use the G4(G5) final drives with the A19 rollers. (The optional parts with the skids G24 are only for very late MNH factory production.)
For the fans, use parts D21 with more blades (than parts D5 with fewer blades). The D5 parts represent the later "strengthened" fan design.
Use the mesh over all the air intake and outlet openings. Do not use the C21 crew compartment heater assembly, but rather another A10 (A9) to match the right side.
Do not use the A27(A29) air intake louvers. These are only used with the crew compartment heater.
You should use the early larger idler wheel assembly, A30+A31, et al.
There's an error (as far as I can tell) on the DML torsion-bar / swing arm layout. The final two stations on each side should have the same torsion-bar / swing arms as the first station on each side (parts E2). So, in place of the E6(E7) parts, use extra E5 parts which are identical to the E2 parts. (You'll run out of E2's before you have enough to do all six stations, three on each side.)
Finally, use the E13 bumper stops. The E14 stops are the later design.
I'm sure that some real Panther experts can dial in some additional features that might be peculiar to your subject tank, but I think that the above list should get you through the worst of the DML "explanation-less-options."
Hopefully, we'll have some WIP photos of the group-build models up on our website by the end of this week.
HTH,
