Since zimmerit was applied to 99.9% of the Panther As and for the most part, it was a standard pattern.. Why don't model manufacturers premold the zimmerit onto the model??
I just completed the Italeria(sp) 1/35 Panther A with the zimmerit panels applied and even though they were a little thick, I think the model turned out nice.. I was just wondering WHY don't manufacturers do this???
And, for the sake of the arguement, what if I built my "A"s without zimmerit???? Would I be wrong???? (Do we REALLY know if ALL the Panther As had it?)
#:-)

Good question!

First off, the Italeri Panther A has zimmerit sheets included. The kit scales out small if you don't use them (and too big if you do, but not by much!!).

I think the reason there isn't zimm molded on is that for example, DML uses the same hull for the A and D. So they cut expenses, and our cost, by not having to mold two different hulls, turrets etc, one with and without zim. Second, not all zim was the same. Some Panthers have zim applied in one big sheet, with a pattern of little squares. Others have that pattern with diagonal lines scribed through. If you want to depict battle damaged zim it's easier to add zim that try to scrape the plastic.

Finally, it's to drive us crazy!!!!

Actually, doing zim is kind of fun, and I like it better than trying to fiddle with some of the PE evil etc.

Cheers
Andy

I feel that modeling should be a creative thing. Some things are more challenging if not done for you. You become better at it that way. I'm not saying you have to do it by hand (putty),
they make nice resin sets like (Cavalier) et al, which are really nice.
Just my opinion now!

Happy Modeling

I imagine it must have something to do with the molding process. If you put surface detail over the whole surface of a panel, and the panel has complex curves and detail on the back, sides, etc., it might not be possible do design a mold that could make it. Or else it would be really expensive.

Also, I think a lot of people who just build models for fun and don't care about accuracy might wonder what that goofy-looking stuff is. I remember when I bought my first Tiger I didn't want one with that "ugly stuff" all over it, I wanted nice clean steel

Not all the Panthers A have had zimmeritt. I saw photographs of WW2 whith A´s without zimmeritt. If i´m not rong there is a photograph of one of them in the Ardennes in 1944-45 in "Panzer Colours".

Hey the way I see it if you want your A to be zimm-less, then so be it. That's part of the artistic license of modeling for me. Another thought about molded on zimm.....when you clean up/ putty seams/ sand edges, the zimm would be destroyed, forcing you to rebuilt it.

Pre-cast zimmerit is often heavy handed and makes weathering difficult. Using real putty you can recreate battle damage fairly easily. So thats why more manufacturers don't cast their German tank with it.