Mark Nicodemus shares with us a look at the Takom Production Bergepanther Ausf. G in 1/35th scale.

Read the Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

The only variant I have resisted getting so far; thought that it was pretty interesting having a post-war French military version. The post-war crane that some company made was also an interesting variant that someone should cobble-together.

Just bought this kit as a "World Opening Up Again" celebration purchase at Scale Reproduction Hobbies in Louisville, KY.

Looking forward to what appears to be a fabulously detailed kit! Some years ago I made an attempt to accuratize the Italeri Berge using two complete kits and assorted etch sets to complete the model. It was a very satisfying build but now I am looking forward to having EVERYTHING in this kit!

At the shop I told Brian; "I did my best to find the largest box in the armor aisle!"

I have to add that if you are anywhere in the Kentucky area you must check out this shop. (An easy 10 minute cab ride from the International airport in case you have a bit of a longish layover!) With the recent closures of the past many months his shelves are filled to the brim with tons of newly available kits as well as many old favorites. I highly recommend a visit, especially now!

Cheers

Now on to the build! (I jumped ahead and started right in on the winch!)


Below a couple of photos of the original Italeri build:
These Berges have always been one of my favorite subjects!

Good luck Michael, I will be following your build.

Very happy to know that a few quality brick and mortar hobby shops are keeping the dream alive. If I ever get up there, I'll check them out. Enjoy your build!

G'day Mark

Good review - I have one in my stash waiting to be built. A few thoughts:

1. DON'T install the torsion bars before the transmission, or the transmission will not fit.

2. Stage 15, second para - should be Takom, not Trumpeter (just to show I did actually read the entire review).

3. The length of a Bergepanther tow cable was 50 metres, which equates to 1.43 metres, and there isn't enough cable provided by Takom. My suggestion would be to wrap the main cable drum in several layers of tape to bring the cable provided up to nearer the lip of the drum.

Have fun!

Regards

Rob

Thanks for that note. I have the Ausf A, and I'll bet that cable is likely too short as well.

Yes #3 is an excellent suggestion! Will do!

You're right, it is.

That was actually a reply to Shell.

I do wish Takom had indicated "parts not to be used" in their instructions. I always appreciate a kit that feeds the spares box but in this case there seems to be tons of parts intended for other similar vehicles not to be used, possibly causing some confusion.

First night's productivity: (Hit a minor snag with the winch so moved on to the transmission and floor pan.)

Anybody else notice that the rear winch crossbar support beam (Part W2-3 in step 19) is not properly keyed to attach to the winch assembly?

The winch has a large rectangular key and the beam itself has a small triangular tapered keyway slot. I don't think I am missing anything here am I?

Just ask'n.

Some additional progress on the Berge lower portion:

So far this seems like a very well made kit and the fit is right on the money!



I suggest that until you have both tub sidewalls in place that you just let the torsion bar assemblies "float" without gluing them. This makes it easier to get them to line up with the end mounting holes when installing the sides. Later if they rattle or have any noticeable play in them a small drop of glue will lock them down.

p.s. I know those two central cross members look crooked to a slight degree but that is correct for the Panther G. Those cross members do actually zig-zag just slightly to clear the torsion bar mounts and torsion bar gear end boxes.

G'day Michael

I can only agree about your method of installing the torsion bars - the method suggested by Takom is next to impossible. If you haven't glued the engine in place yet, I would recommend not doing so or installation of the drive shaft will be very difficult.

I agree with your installation of the engine before the side walls - otherwise it's a VERY tight fit.

Have fun.

Regards

Rob

You are right on target! The engine will be extremely tight. For now my engine is only snapped into its' mounts and even that is a very tight fit!

Thanks for your feedback and your interest.

I have to admit it kills me with every step, that I must cover up so much detail that I had just previously installed.

That's really frustrating. At least you have all the photos.

Yes and no - because I am the kind of nut that will build details into a model that, in the end only I will know are there. (No explanation for this malady!)

Also one of the many reasons I joined the Patton Restoration Group was to learn "what's on the inside" so a kit like this answers those questions for me in detail.

Going to try and keep the winch removable so I might expose some of that lost detail from time to time. Also the upper body of the Berge, for right now, seems to want to just snap on/snap off so that MAY remain removable as well!

Thanks for your response and your interest.