Whoops! I mean Panzer V!
What variant of the Panther is the Basic Tamiya kit? It does not have a model type designation on the box. I'd like to get another tank as an opponent but I want to get an appropriate one. So id this Tamya kit best suited for D-Day France or the battle of Kursk?
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The Tamiya Panzer V Panther
Aurora-7
#360
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,020 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 04:08 AM UTC
thebear
Joined: November 15, 2002
KitMaker: 3,960 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 04:35 AM UTC
If you want to build a panther at Kursk your only choice would be to buy the Dragon Panther D model and even then you need to back date it a bit as Kursk was the first battle for the Panther ....For D-Day you can buy either Dragons early or late panther A s and even a few Panther G's a la Tamiya but the early one without the chin ...If you want a tip get the steel wheeled version of the tamiya kit as you get all you need to build an early G and you even get the vision blocks for the cupola... :-)
Rick
Rick
Pnzr-Cmdr
Joined: July 16, 2003
KitMaker: 483 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 04:47 AM UTC
Panther A late were used in normandy as far as I know I thnk but i'm not positive that the D was used at Kursk. You can check DML's website that have alot of info just on the cover art. Or ask Jrnelson he's great with german armor
M-60-A3
Joined: June 14, 2003
KitMaker: 808 posts
Armorama: 479 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 10:37 AM UTC
Aurora-7,
If there is no designation on the box, it is probably the Panther A, kit #35065. Tamiya's G series kits are #'s 35170, 35174 and 35176. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Joe
If there is no designation on the box, it is probably the Panther A, kit #35065. Tamiya's G series kits are #'s 35170, 35174 and 35176. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Joe
Petro
Joined: November 02, 2003
KitMaker: 984 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 12:18 PM UTC
The Tamiya kit you refer to is the Panther A.
Panther D was used at Kursk. The Panther D made it's battlefield debut at Kursk, though most had broken down on the way to the front.
The Panther D is easily identified as it has no MG34/42 in it's glacis plate. It has a flap for a smg instead.
Panther D was used at Kursk. The Panther D made it's battlefield debut at Kursk, though most had broken down on the way to the front.
The Panther D is easily identified as it has no MG34/42 in it's glacis plate. It has a flap for a smg instead.
csch
Joined: December 27, 2002
KitMaker: 1,941 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 02:31 PM UTC
I built the Tamiya Panther G Late version (diferent mantlet and other details). I think that Tamiya also has the esrly version of the G.
The Ausf G appeared in early 1944 and from mid 44 on most G´s had a new gun mantlet.
oth version are suitable for Normandy, the retreat of France, Ardenes Ofensive, battles in Germany, Poland most of the fronts from early 1944 on.
For Kursk the panther was the D version (the first one).
The Ausf G appeared in early 1944 and from mid 44 on most G´s had a new gun mantlet.
oth version are suitable for Normandy, the retreat of France, Ardenes Ofensive, battles in Germany, Poland most of the fronts from early 1944 on.
For Kursk the panther was the D version (the first one).
Aurora-7
#360
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,020 posts
Armorama: 131 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 03:37 PM UTC
Thanks for all the replies. I've been asking about the Tamiya kit because I got it at an E-bay auction. I'm just begining to start WWII armor and I was looking to display them as adverserial pairs. How much was the Panther A used and where?
zululand66
Joined: August 07, 2002
KitMaker: 233 posts
Armorama: 216 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 04:27 PM UTC
Hi All,
OOOh bummer! The Tamiya ausf A kit is one of their bad kits. It does go together well, but has a number of problems:
1. The turret is the wrong size (IMO, don't sweat it and go on with your life)
2. It has an incorrect roadwheel arrangement as it needs "double" roadwheels on the "center" ones
3. The tracks are terrible (drop me a line via email, I may have a set of the Panther G tracks laying around that I can give you)
4. The tools look like hell, replace these with with Panzer IV OVM tools from Tamiya
5. Most Panther A's had zimmerit, unlike the box art, so you'll probably have to replicate this with either putty or zimmerit sheet (anyone out there know if Cavalier makes a set for this model?)
As to deployment, they were used form late 1943 to mid 1944, so they saw action in Russia, France and Italy. HTH.
Regards,
Georg
OOOh bummer! The Tamiya ausf A kit is one of their bad kits. It does go together well, but has a number of problems:
1. The turret is the wrong size (IMO, don't sweat it and go on with your life)
2. It has an incorrect roadwheel arrangement as it needs "double" roadwheels on the "center" ones
3. The tracks are terrible (drop me a line via email, I may have a set of the Panther G tracks laying around that I can give you)
4. The tools look like hell, replace these with with Panzer IV OVM tools from Tamiya
5. Most Panther A's had zimmerit, unlike the box art, so you'll probably have to replicate this with either putty or zimmerit sheet (anyone out there know if Cavalier makes a set for this model?)
As to deployment, they were used form late 1943 to mid 1944, so they saw action in Russia, France and Italy. HTH.
Regards,
Georg
tazz
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 1,462 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 05:36 PM UTC
i had an early g panter but i sold it dumb me.
but when i save up iam geting the new kit with the pe zimm i saw it at miltay hobbies for 49 bucks great price
but when i save up iam geting the new kit with the pe zimm i saw it at miltay hobbies for 49 bucks great price
blaster76
Joined: September 15, 2002
KitMaker: 8,985 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 06:33 PM UTC
ZULULAND is right, sounds like you got the real early Panther A kit Tamiya put out, and it's goofed. I'ld stick that one up on a shelf and sell it later on as an old classic kit to a collector Go back to ebay and look for something different. JUst make sure the kit has a designator behind it like Panther A or Panther G (late).
Aurora-7
#360
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,020 posts
Armorama: 131 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2003 - 11:37 PM UTC
Quoted Text
ZULULAND is right, sounds like you got the real early Panther A kit Tamiya put out, and it's goofed. I'ld stick that one up on a shelf and sell it later on as an old classic kit to a collector Go back to ebay and look for something different. JUst make sure the kit has a designator behind it like Panther A or Panther G (late).
OOOF!
Live and learn. Thanks, again for the info guys. I hope I make back what I payed
Petro
Joined: November 02, 2003
KitMaker: 984 posts
Armorama: 846 posts
Posted: Monday, November 03, 2003 - 08:49 AM UTC
There is a modelling book out that covers cleaning up the mistakes with this kit. It is called "Armor Conversion and Detailing Projects." It is from Fine Scale Modeler/Kalmbach Books.
The only real problem with detailing the Kit to the book's standards would be having an extra set of road wheels to make the suspension look correct.
Personally, i would use this as a practice kit (I have actually used it!).Depending on your skill and how realistic you want the kit to look, it makes a lot more sense to Practice, say Zimmerit on a cheap kit like this, then shelling out $50.00+ on a Tiger or better quality kit.
Then there is always the Extra parts you could use for another project.
This is just my opinion though.
The only real problem with detailing the Kit to the book's standards would be having an extra set of road wheels to make the suspension look correct.
Personally, i would use this as a practice kit (I have actually used it!).Depending on your skill and how realistic you want the kit to look, it makes a lot more sense to Practice, say Zimmerit on a cheap kit like this, then shelling out $50.00+ on a Tiger or better quality kit.
Then there is always the Extra parts you could use for another project.
This is just my opinion though.
PaulHanson
Joined: February 16, 2003
KitMaker: 175 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 01:33 AM UTC
Georg is dead on. I did this 10yrs ago stripping a built Nichimo Ausf G for parts. By the time I was done all that remained of the Tamiya kit was the hull, the wheels, and the reworked mantlet. Everything else was off the Nichimo kit and MK tracks.
PH
PH
csch
Joined: December 27, 2002
KitMaker: 1,941 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 02:12 AM UTC
Hi Aurora-7:
This is my Tamiya Panther G built just OOB.
I just post the pics so you can see how this kit looks like when finished. If you´re starting with WW2 armor modelling, I think this could be a good one.
This is my Tamiya Panther G built just OOB.
I just post the pics so you can see how this kit looks like when finished. If you´re starting with WW2 armor modelling, I think this could be a good one.
yagdpanzer
Joined: August 21, 2002
KitMaker: 415 posts
Armorama: 231 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 05:19 AM UTC
The old Tamiya kits are good to start off on and to practice on. I built one over 25 years ago and I think it is on it's 5th paint job. Then move on to the better Tamiya and DML kits with a bit of experience under your belt.
keenan
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 06:57 AM UTC
Yeah, I have two of those ancient rascals on the shelf. I think one of the turrets is going too end up as a bunker in the Operation Cover Up campaign...
I may have the FMS article if anyone is interested. IIRC the guy scratchbuilt a whole new turret. Doesn't hardly seem worth the effort now with all of the high quality Panther kits around.
Shaun
I may have the FMS article if anyone is interested. IIRC the guy scratchbuilt a whole new turret. Doesn't hardly seem worth the effort now with all of the high quality Panther kits around.
Shaun
Aurora-7
#360
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,020 posts
Armorama: 131 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 03:50 PM UTC
I guess I'm just too greedy with my PayPal money. The idea of using the old A kit as practice is sound advice but since I've been selling various pieces of my collection to make way for new things I want to try, I wanted to make each purchase count. I'm going to keep an eye out for the G kit and I'd like to get a nice T-34/85 to go along with it 
Again, thanks for all the advice, guys.
PaulHanson
Joined: February 16, 2003
KitMaker: 175 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 05:47 AM UTC
There is only one nice T-34/85 and that's that DML/Dragon version. Accept no substitutes.
PH
PH
herberta
Joined: March 06, 2002
KitMaker: 939 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 10:30 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Again, thanks for all the advice, guys.
I have to agree. Yes, one can get a cheap old kit to "practice". Why? You can get a Tamiya Cromwell for about $15 on eBay, and that's a great kit and just as good for practice. I find my motivation is much higher with a better kit. I have been trying to finish an Academy Honey for about a year. I started modifying the interior to make it more accurate. I got that done. I bought the kit because it has an interior, and I wanted to show it with hatches open, crew in place. Just try to get a 1/35 scale figure in the driver's position!!!!! Hopeless. I have put the kit away for now, and started a Crommy. Modeling is fun again!!!
my 2 cents
Andy
PaulHanson
Joined: February 16, 2003
KitMaker: 175 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 12:05 PM UTC
I have to agree with Andy.
I get totally frustrated with trying to build a piece of junk. You are better off finding a better, newer kit and working on that. Your building efficiency and satisfaction will be greater and the result you achieve with a newer kit, vs an out-dated kit like the Tamiya A, will be much, much greater with an equal amount of effort.
Does that last sentence make sense to anyone???
PH
I get totally frustrated with trying to build a piece of junk. You are better off finding a better, newer kit and working on that. Your building efficiency and satisfaction will be greater and the result you achieve with a newer kit, vs an out-dated kit like the Tamiya A, will be much, much greater with an equal amount of effort.
Does that last sentence make sense to anyone???
PH
Aurora-7
#360
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,020 posts
Armorama: 131 posts
Posted: Friday, November 07, 2003 - 04:56 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi All,
OOOh bummer! The Tamiya ausf A kit is one of their bad kits. It does go together well, but has a number of problems:
2. It has an incorrect roadwheel arrangement as it needs "double" roadwheels on the "center" ones
I'm not sure what this means. I've looked over a lot of images of the Panther A and I don't quite get what this statement means about the road wheel arangement . Do you mean only[/] the center wheels are doubled? And what is the [i]center?
PaulHanson
Joined: February 16, 2003
KitMaker: 175 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 02:13 AM UTC
OK, Aurora-7, look at any Panther image you can find. All Panthers have the same rubber-tired roadwheel arrangement: one outside row, two inner rows mounted back to back, and one inside row nearest the hull. The inner rows look like one thick wheel, but they are two back to back. That's where Tamiya screwed up. The outside and inside rows of wheels mount on the same axles and the two inner wheels mount on the same axles. The axles alternate as you see in photos.
HTH,
PH
HTH,
PH
jrnelson
Joined: May 23, 2002
KitMaker: 719 posts
Armorama: 566 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 03:22 AM UTC
Paul is correct in his description...
This picture will hopefully make it a little clearer. You will notice that the middle road wheels are "paired" - you can barely see the two rubber tires on the middle roadwheels in the picture. The Tamiya A does not depict this correctly..
HTH
This picture will hopefully make it a little clearer. You will notice that the middle road wheels are "paired" - you can barely see the two rubber tires on the middle roadwheels in the picture. The Tamiya A does not depict this correctly..
HTH
Aurora-7
#360
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,020 posts
Armorama: 131 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 06:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Paul is correct in his description...
This picture will hopefully make it a little clearer. You will notice that the middle road wheels are "paired" - you can barely see the two rubber tires on the middle roadwheels in the picture. The Tamiya A does not depict this correctly..
HTH
Ah perfect! Thanks, Paul & JR!
Aurora-7
#360
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,020 posts
Armorama: 131 posts
Posted: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 04:15 AM UTC
I compromised over the weekend. I got a Tamiya Early Panther G kit from Ebay and I'll keep the Panther A to practice scratchbuilding. At least now I can build a more accurate OOB Panther now.
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