Did some early jagdpanthers not have zimmerit? I'm kinda chickening out even though jagdpanthers use a very simple zimm pattern.

PS: When can I use the three left exhaust pipes instead of the single exhaust pipe similar to the one on the right?

The vast majority of early Jadgpanthers would have had Zimmerit. The three barreled exhaust more than likely would have been on a late model version. If you don't wat to tackle doing the zimmerit yourself, buy either the cavalier or eduard glue on

I'm not 100% sure, but I think all the early Jagdpanthers had zimm and I agree that the pipes is a later version.
According to the line drawings in Achtung Panzer #4 ( which I think is about the BEST modelers Panther reference) the triple pipes were probuced May-Dec of 44 and the tripple pipes with the center pipe shielded was a Nov production from MNH.

As for aftermarket zimm, I'd go with the Eduard if it is available. I've had trouble with Cavalier stuff not fitting the kit it was supposedly designed for.

The Cavalier Zim for the Early Jagpanther fits fine.. I think Eduard doesn't look as nice (no damage).. also.. looks like getting it on the Machine Gun Mound would be a pain...

I highly recommend the Cavalier!

Jadgpanther production was started on a full scale at the factories in December, 1943. Thus all would have had zim. The pre-production model that was built for inspection by Hitler, was completed in June of 1943, so this one vehicle could be done without zim.

HTH
Jeff

Thanks a lot guys! Looks like I have to jump in and try Zimmerit since I want to model a production version. AM parts are not available here unfortunately so I think I'll have a go at the Milliput method. I recently downloaded a nice doable article and it does not look that difficult

So it's going to be a Jagdpanther with Zimmerit and one-piece pipes

BTW, do I have to put screens on the engine deck grills?

Hi jeepney, if your going to do the Zimmerit, then why not add the grill mesh ...right ?
I have Dragons jagdpanther ( early ) and bought the Aber Grill set with it. The set is compatiable with Dragon & Tamiya kit's. You want - AC 35G04 it goes for $8 or $9. Or you can buy the much larger Aber Detail Set which gives you 3 sheets of brass PE including the grill set.

Aber Grill Set - AC 35G04


I'm curious, if you really don't feel up to the Zimmerit, then why don't you build a late production Jagdpanther ?

- ralph

I was thinking of building a late jagd Ralph. The DML Early kit already contains the later bolted mantlet and 3-piece left exhaust pipe. I don't think it has the two-piece barrel though. I might have friends who have some mesh available.

It's a gift from She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed and she "suggested" that it should look like the one on the box top so it must have zimmerit Maybe I'm just afraid to try something new but hey! Nothing ventured nothing gained right? I'll give the Milliput a try. Good thing early jagdpanthers had a very simple zimmerit pattern.

Wish me luck! Thanks a lot for the help

That's not necessarily true.. That is like saying ALL Panther Ausf As had zimmerit, when many clearly didn't... The one thing you can always be sure of is that the Germans didn't always do things standard. There are exceptions to the rule.. IMHO, build it the way you want and let someone prove that it didn't exist.

re late Jagds and late barrels..
There is a picture in the new (sort of new) JJ Fred book on the 654 showing a late Jagdpanther with an early barrel.
With the recent move, I've narrowed down the search for the box that book is in to 'only ' 6-8 boxes.

But it sounds like you're set on an early, so go for it!

Mike

The reason I am fairly certain that the early Jadgpanthers all had Zim is the date of production.

Your example of the Panther A is a good case to illustrate my point. Certainly it can be stated that some Panter A's did not have zimmerit - however most did. The first three Panther A's were delivered from MNH in August 1943 (without zim), while full scale production started in September. The order to add Zimm to tanks was effective in September 1943, so it is logical to assume that some Panther A's that were produced in September (149 were built), would have been completed and out the factory door before the Zimm was available at the factory, or the order recieved, etc.

The Jadgpanther went into full production in December of 1943 - which leads me to believe that the factories were in full swing applying the stuff. There were no "time gaps" possible, for any to be produced without the zimm added.

I guess you could say it is possible that the factory ran out of zim material during a production run, and not every Jadgpanther recieved it's coat - but that seems unlikely to me. Very similar situation to the Late Tiger I..... they all had zimm..

The bottom line is this - Jeepney can build his kit any way he wants to... whatever makes him happy. If he wants to do an Early Jadgpanther without zim, that's cool. I just was trying to answer his question.

HTH-
Jeff

Sorry Jeff,
I wasn't trying to rile you up. I was stating that as far as WWII German armor goes, there were exceptions to every rule.. So when someone says, "YES, this tank had that", theoretically that's true, but somewhere, someone will pop up with something to dispute it.

I have learned to never say "this is exactly the way it was", because unless you can prove it with a photograph, it will always be debatable.. God, don't you just love German armor??? :-) #:-)

lol - you hit the nail on the head..... :-)

I love German armor!!

Confusing as all heck, but fun :-)

Later-
Jeff

PS - Sorry to get all riled up there :-) With the lack of photographic evidence about, I tend to lean to the probable rather than the improbable. I perhaps should have said - "As far as I know, all early Jadgpanthers had zim :-) " hehehe