Mark Nicodemus shares with us his thoughts on the Tamiya Panzer III Ausf. L, Sd.Kfz. 141/1 from Tamiya in 1/35th scale.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Do we really need a review for this old kit?

Probably not, though it can't hurt for those who might come across one at a hobby swap meet. It was a really nice kit in its day: well-engineered and reasonably accurate, and -best of all- was a genuine fun build without the nuisance that is inherent in thousand-plus piece kits. Easily updated with a couple of aftermarket accessories, I'd challenge anyone to say that the newer kits build out better.

Hey, why not? There are tons of these kits still floating around out there? It's good to know how they stack up. Thanks for the review.

Though there have been plenty of other reviews of this kit, this one is the most complete one I've seen with all the options and pictures listed. Therefor, it is worthwhile for those who don't necessarily need hot-from-the-mold kits.

Though it would have been worthwhile if some mention had been made of other Pzkpfw III ausf L kits. (The venerable Gunze, Dragon's re-do of the Gunze and the new Dragon kit)

The best is probably the new Dragon kit with the two others behind this one so if talking Pzkpfw III ausf L it's fair to review what's old because we need new views of old stuff so we can compare it to the new stuff (cynical me: newer is not always better and there are some things in the new Dragon kits that most builders don't need? Do I need such detailed part break-downs of details I just don't care about or do I want to build a model?)

Thanks I am building this kit now and doing a a WIP here. New or old kit reviews are good, more so now that photo bucket has F up most older pics here

YES. Like others related, not everyone scrutinizes every brand new kit that makes it online. Can't tell you how many times I have come across a NEW kit in the forums and then found out it was reviewed years before. Sometimes interests shift and then one seeks out reviews on older subjects.

Well, honestly if you need a list of reviews for a kit Scalemates.com is still the best resource that I can't believe more people don't use.

Scalemates has four reviews of this kit. Only one has pictures and they're honestly not as good as this one, and one review is barely 100 words! So this is a welcome addition.

So some of us do do these things and we're still stuck for a decent review.

Some us are stuck having to go to Google to find sprue and instruction pictures from hobbyshop sites and guessing our best. So Scalemates may answer some questions but not all for older kits.

Sometimes it barely points in the right direction for older kits.

And sadly I am not qualified to do reviews. I guesstimate too much and would rather work on my webcomics. Too many people finding fault with everything and debating angels dancing on the heads of pins to do model reviews. And I got sensitive feelings.

Thanks Mark!
Always nice to be reminded of what is out and about with some of these middle-aged kits. Wouldn't have thought twice about this one but now if I see it on a table at a show for a good (i.e., cheap!) price I just might bite. Could always use another quality kit on the 100 year stack!!
Cheers,
Rick

Thanks for the comments guys.

I just posted this http://armorama.com/forums/268881&page=1#2271945

Like others above, sometimes I need information on old kits so all reviews are useful.

Thanks for your work Mark!