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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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Santa Was a Little Late
retiredyank
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Arkansas, United States
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Posted: Monday, January 08, 2018 - 11:26 PM UTC
Santa was a couple of weeks late, but it was worth it. This should keep me busy.

The Zvezda kit is the Panther D. I have some plastic, inbound to tackle the corrections.
j76lr
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Posted: Monday, January 08, 2018 - 11:36 PM UTC
Have fun !! Im still waiting for my order from squadron !!!
alanmac
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 12:10 AM UTC

Quoted Text


The Zvezda kit is the Panther D. I have some plastic, inbound to tackle the corrections.


What corrections are these? Please elborate.

Thanks
Jmarles
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: November 02, 2008
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 01:04 AM UTC

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The Zvezda kit is the Panther D. I have some plastic, inbound to tackle the corrections.


What corrections are these? Please elborate.

Thanks

There's a good build blog over on Track Link. Zvezda had a good idea to do a really early tank - they had s couple of good captured examples to pore over. They did a good job with different types of front fenders, the early style engine vents, etc. The tracks are "handed" which is something Dragon didn't bother doing so bonus points for that. They've got the side toolbox. The rear hatch is a little undersized and the mantlet notably so. The final drive housing has a spurious weld bead - they were bolted on of course- but it's pretty much invisible anyway. Or just file it off. All in all, a pretty good effort of a Panther no one has kitted yet.
Like Tamiya, there are no grilles included. The vents are slightly larger so PE ones will be a bit small. The tools, like most Zvezda efforts, are a bit heavy handed but most of us have zillions of spares from all those DML kits!
retiredyank
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 01:08 AM UTC
Lou:
Thank you. I intend to. I always receive orders, from Squadron within a week. Best wishes, on your builds.


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The Zvezda kit is the Panther D. I have some plastic, inbound to tackle the corrections.


What corrections are these? Please elborate.

Thanks


The turret is 1mm too narrow. There are some incorrect bolt details, on some of the wheels. Don't know why there is not a full set of correct wheels, but a few different. The cupola needs some work. I will probably replace it, with a resin am product. The tool holders sit too proud. This will be correct by the etch. And the barrel needs to be replaced. This article details most of them:
http://www.track-link.com/blogs/21314/1
It's easier for me to direct you to it, rather than writing a full paragraph on the specifics. I will be ordering a couple of books to check line drawings and smaller details.
retiredyank
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 01:15 AM UTC

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The Zvezda kit is the Panther D. I have some plastic, inbound to tackle the corrections.


What corrections are these? Please elborate.

Thanks

There's a good build blog over on Track Link...


You posted, as I was writing my reply.
Jmarles
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 01:17 AM UTC
Not a Panther expert by any means but isn't one set of wheels the optional "increased strength" version with added rivets and shaved bolts? I think one of the captured Soviet kitties had these. If true, actually a nice touch. Panzer Art make a set if the kit ones are wrong.
Jmarles
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 01:18 AM UTC

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The Zvezda kit is the Panther D. I have some plastic, inbound to tackle the corrections.


What corrections are these? Please elborate.

Thanks

There's a good build blog over on Track Link...


You posted, as I was writing my reply.



Lol. I think we were on the keyboard at the same time!
retiredyank
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 03:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Not a Panther expert by any means but isn't one set of wheels the optional "increased strength" version with added rivets and shaved bolts? I think one of the captured Soviet kitties had these. If true, actually a nice touch. Panzer Art make a set if the kit ones are wrong.


Do you recall where I can find that information? I'm always on the lookout for good reference material.
Jmarles
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 05:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text


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Not a Panther expert by any means but isn't one set of wheels the optional "increased strength" version with added rivets and shaved bolts? I think one of the captured Soviet kitties had these. If true, actually a nice touch. Panzer Art make a set if the kit ones are wrong.


Do you recall where I can find that information? I'm always on the lookout for good reference material.


Not sure how well regarded the authour is but:

https://books.google.ca/books?id=P6SjCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA49&lpg=PA49&dq=panther+riveted+roadwheels&source=bl&ots=M2xnNYjyw2&sig=xw4_aUKQr7Jag1VnNK0oMe8i9uo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiB5a_vj8zYAhVT-GMKHXKgBG0Q6AEwCnoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=panther%20riveted%20roadwheels&f=false

Panzer Art set:
https://www.passion132.com/gb/kits-d-amelioration/108882-panzer-art-re35-113-1-35-strengthen-road-wheels-for-panther-d.html

https://books.google.ca/books?id=9NYbDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=panther+riveted+roadwheels&source=bl&ots=CfiVxCMsED&sig=1jWrMYM7M8cwjaaaNiUZEFXk1So&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiB5a_vj8zYAhVT-GMKHXKgBG0Q6AEwDHoECAMQAQ#v=onepage&q=panther%20riveted%20roadwheels&f=false


https://books.google.ca/books?id=BYIlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA123&lpg=PA123&dq=panther+riveted+roadwheels&source=bl&ots=vqm99ZPzl5&sig=j-kxGQI3dxbqIrn3Xh9Rgv_YENk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiB5a_vj8zYAhVT-GMKHXKgBG0Q6AEwD3oECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=panther%20riveted%20roadwheels&f=false



Seems legit, apparently...
Jmarles
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 05:31 AM UTC
I hope Zvezda does well with this. They have approached this kit quite thoughtfully - I especially like the handed tracks. A lot of A's and G's coming out from Meng, Takom, Dragon and Academy so I hope this D doesn't get overlooked. It is the only early D out there I think...
Kevlar06
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 06:17 AM UTC
Matt,
Congratulations on the haul! reminds me of last year when I got my Christmas gift from Wingnut Wings-their new Sopwith Camel--but it didn't arrive until the end of May!
VR, Russ
retiredyank
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Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2018 - 10:54 PM UTC
Julian - Thank you for the links. I have decided to build "433" and use the kit provided tracks. Archer has the appropriate turret numbers. I have found images of it still in German service, captured by the Russians and what they gave the British.

Russ - Thank you. I hope that next year is as good to me as this one and your's is equally so.
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