Darren Baker takes an indepth look at the Panther Ausf D in 1/35th scale from Tamiya.

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Thanks!

Thanks for the detailed comments Darren. I can not see it clearly on the photos but it looks to me that the fan covers are not correct for this very early Panther, they should have the edges rounded:


Am I right?

Building a first batch Bergepanther from Italeri Ausf A. maaany years ago left me a soft spot for the details of these vehicles...

Anyway, I'm looking forward for your build review!

Carlos there are two circular covers in the model. 1 has the vanes angled to the centre circle and the other option straight on. the oblong ones have the correct wave effect. I had missed that Tamiya had provided two different shapes to the circular covers, the angled vanes is the correct one.

Thanks for nice review. The content, quality and price of Tamiya model kits always have been predictable and trustful for most of modellers. Why Dragon always change their model kits price, content and quality? Kind of bait ya?

hanb7323- have you ever built Dragon Panthers? They have really detailed kits on the market, that include many extra's, PE Mesh, PE frets full of detail parts..metal guns in some. Maybe for a few bucks more then this Tamiya kit. Do your research on the Dragon kits before you buy or buy this Tamiya. I buy , build Tamiya's when I want a break from complex Dragons. Sometimes I'm left feeling ripped off after building a Tamiya with their current pricing. They include big colorful pictures..maybe some reference pictures...that I do not care for..but they seem to think they can squeeze another $15 out of me for stuff I don't want...then the molds all seem familiar..because they are. IE- the new Jagdpanzer IV L70 kit...what a let down..high price...the colored pictures..but, I buy it for the model...I then had to shell out another $22 for the detailed barrel. It seems Tamiya is going the same route as AFV Club, where , instead of including the detailing parts..they sell them separately... Dragon kits are loaded with detail parts. However, you get the odd one that isn't...thats why you need to do your research because Dragon has many, many kits on the market to choose from. If not, stick to your Tamiya & be happy. I myself, like both companies...so over time I know what to expect. Same goes for the other companies, do your research. I will probably buy this kit cause ..I want it lol.

PS- this Tamiya kit could be built in a day..a Dragon would take your a week..maybe 3 days.
I like Tamiya kits because of that fact..I can have it built fast. Thats a big plus for Tamiya.

Easyco- I guess you haven't seen there new observation Panther D? No brass or clear parts and only rubber bands that fall apart or indi links covered in EPM and large sprue attachments for £49.99.

Despite their recent kits are not so interesting as in the past, I think we are often too harsh on Dragon. They probably have the widest catalogue for German WWII armour, with kits that although not perfect, were way better than the ones we used to have. And included PE, barrels, indy tracks...

It's a pity they have not continued that way, but in any case they deserve recognition for what they have done. And the latest release I have heard of, the T-34 with a German Flakvierling, comes with indy tracks, which is a good sign.

Are you joking? You mean the M103 and Bobbleheads weren't a complete waste of everyone's time?

Tim I think what Carlos is saying is that it is thanks to Dragon that we are where we are today, and even you have to admit that they did introduce aspects that many now use to provide the kits we all want to buy. I am not happy with Dragons latest kits by in large as they are going backwards at high speed and I believe it must effect their market share.

Thanks Darren, that was exactly my point.

For me a company is not only their latest releases but their whole (available) catalogue. And they still have a lot of interesting items.