I'm currently working on a Tamiya Jagdpanther. Today I looked on quite a few gallery photos of other Jagdpanther models, and then I noticed that maybe 95% of the models were made without the sideskirts. Was that typical in real life?

As far as I know, they were ideally/initially attached to the vehicle, but easily got shot up and/or lost. Much like the schuerzen on tanks.

In real life, they had them and probably used them until they eventually broke off. As a modeler, the tank just looks "cooler" without them

So true, so true! As modelers we often due what is perceived to be correct or what just looks correct in our own minds. It is much like removing the mold parting line down the middle of a set of Sherman wheels. Judges at a contest would gig you points off for leaving them but in reality the real tires had this line because they were molded in much the same manor as the plastic kit. Also the chipped paint thing many guys go to town chipping the paint when in reality, I have yet to see a real tank look this way out of thousands of pictures. Sometimes we just have to go with what looks good to us. Modeling is an art form and art is in the eye of the beholder. SO either way would work. If historical accuracy is what your after put them on .

Modeling is an art form and art is in the eye of the beholder. SO either way would work. If historical accuracy is what your after put them on .
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Perfect answer, Ken, so very true...Take note, Norseman, and Model on!

Gunny

Or you can show them partially attached, partially gone from oopsy-bumpsies and/or enemy action. :-)