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Review
RyeField: Panther Ausf. G
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ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 14, 2006
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Posted: Friday, August 10, 2018 - 10:44 PM UTC


Mark Nicodemus takes a closer look at the Panther Ausf. G with Clear Parts from Rye Field Models in 1/35th scale.

Read the Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
U-mark
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Michigan, United States
Joined: January 04, 2017
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Armorama: 89 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 11, 2018 - 01:56 AM UTC
Mark, Your review cleared up some of the questions I had about production differences and timeline, and helped clarify the instructions. Along with Andy's videos I think i know how to approach this build. Just knowing I can keep the interior painted in mostly one color means I can build more and paint less. I have to say RFM did a much better job on this kit than they did on their M-1. That one should be called a basic interior kit, this kit has so much more detail. I'm starting to get hooked on these interior kits. Thank You very much for a great review. Mark
Epi
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Texas, United States
Joined: December 22, 2001
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Posted: Saturday, August 11, 2018 - 08:01 AM UTC
Very nice and informative review Mark.
I was lucky enough to receive the review kit from Darren and Jim. I was just about to turn in my write up and pictures for it. With you permission, I wanted to adjust my wrote up to incorporate some of your key points before I turn it in. My write up is more a build feature then a review.

d111298pw
#456
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 22, 2016
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Posted: Saturday, August 11, 2018 - 02:43 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Very nice and informative review Mark.
I was lucky enough to receive the review kit from Darren and Jim. I was just about to turn in my write up and pictures for it. With you permission, I wanted to adjust my wrote up to incorporate some of your key points before I turn it in. My write up is more a build feature then a review.



Pete,
Darren and Jim combined Jim's video review and pics with my review, so, go ahead and use what you need for your review. I look forward to reading it.
Taeuss
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Manitoba, Canada
Joined: January 03, 2016
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Posted: Saturday, August 11, 2018 - 03:20 PM UTC
Thank you Mark, for this detailed examination of the Panther G kit, and the timing couldn't be better as mine arrived just recently and I'm dying to get started but -oddly- not sure where to start...still, it'll be a fun challenge. The review answered a lot of questions that I had and raised a few points that had yet to occur to me!
Epi
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Posted: Saturday, August 11, 2018 - 07:10 PM UTC
Frank,
Wait till my build/review is posted. Along with this review and mine, you will get a good understanding on how to tackle this kit.
Hohenstaufen
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Joined: December 13, 2004
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Posted: Sunday, August 12, 2018 - 06:49 AM UTC
I'm really interested in this kit, so I have followed this review carefully. However I can't see, or have missed whether the clear hull parts have moulded on Zimmerit. If they don't, that scuppers modelling an early G, unless you want to cover the clear portions with AM Zimmerit or putty, which will defeat the object of them. The photos of the clear parts don't look as though they do have Zim.
brekinapez
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Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
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Posted: Sunday, August 12, 2018 - 09:16 AM UTC
I would think the zimmerit might make the clear plastic hard to see through anyway, as it is adding an uneven layer to the plastic.
d111298pw
#456
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 22, 2016
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Posted: Sunday, August 12, 2018 - 05:59 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I'm really interested in this kit, so I have followed this review carefully. However I can't see, or have missed whether the clear hull parts have moulded on Zimmerit. If they don't, that scuppers modelling an early G, unless you want to cover the clear portions with AM Zimmerit or putty, which will defeat the object of them. The photos of the clear parts don't look as though they do have Zim.


The clear parts do not have a zimmerit pattern molded. Such a pattern would distort the ability to clearly view the interior. Also, any production Ausf. G from late September 1944 through the end of the war, would not have zimmerit. The kit is designed to have the ability to model any version of the Ausf. G. Molded zimmerit would not allow a post 9/44 version. The other option would be for RFM to include two sets of the affected parts, a la Dragon's 2 in 1 kits.

It would have been nice if RFM provided a separate decal set (like Meng) for this purpose. If you want to add zimmerit, you will have to do so manually (putty method) or go aftermarket.
d111298pw
#456
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Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 22, 2016
KitMaker: 654 posts
Armorama: 638 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 12, 2018 - 06:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thank you Mark, for this detailed examination of the Panther G kit, and the timing couldn't be better as mine arrived just recently and I'm dying to get started but -oddly- not sure where to start...still, it'll be a fun challenge. The review answered a lot of questions that I had and raised a few points that had yet to occur to me!


Frank,
I had the same reaction when I received mine. I had no idea where to begin. After going through every step of the instructions, and looking through my reference books, I started making notes for all the options. Those notes became this review as I figured it my be helpful for others in the same situation.

I'm waiting to read Pete's build review before I get started on mine. Still have to figure out what version I want to build.
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