Aber set 35A115 is a continuation of Aber's Panther G Photo Etch offerings and this set provides the shrapnel covers for the rear engine deck. While made specifically for the Panther G, I see no reason why it couldn’t also be used for the Jagd Panther G. As with all Aber AM products, each product comes in a zip lock clear plastic bag inside of which is a cardboard stiffener and a black card for presentation purposes (the black card does make it very easy to inspect the PE fret) and of course the PE fret and a brass tube, lastly in the back of the packet are the instructions for the product.
Review
This set contains a PE fret in brass measuring 46mm X 53mm and a brass rod measuring 47mm X 0.7mm. The PE fret contains the six shrapnel covers and the mounts for them plus the bolt head detail as separate parts, giving you 42 individual parts plus the tube. The instructions for this set are on a single piece of paper, and they are very clear about what goes where and how.
When you look at the pictures included with this review you will notice damage to the PE fret caused by the brass tube during transit. Th two creases caused me headaches trying to get rid of them for the purpose of this review, it was then decided to include the damage in order that you can see what can go wrong when ordering PE products online. This damage was caused despite ABER providing a good standard of packaging and protection. I feel that this problem or possible problem could be overcome by securing the rod to the side of the packaging rather than leaving it loose inside. Please do not see this as a major issue but as said it was felt important to make you aware of what can go wrong.
Conclusion
The PE parts that need bending are not so small that you need a microscope to see them, so this set should be usable by most people who have the minimum amount of PE under their belt. My only concern with this offering from ABER is the brass tube which needs to be cut down into some very small pieces (2.7mm/2.4mm) which may cause the user some issues. With care enough rod should be available to do the job and produce a nice add-on detail for the rear deck of a Panther G.
SUMMARY
Highs: A set that allows the user to create a more personalised Panther G and, in some cases, more accurate.Lows: Cutting the rod to the exact sizes specified may be difficult depending on your abilities.Verdict: Aber provides another option for anyone building the Panther G that should satisfy the needs of the modeller concerned with accuracy as well as the modeller who just wishes to personalise their Panther G.
Our Thanks to Aber! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Darren Baker (CMOT) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM
I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...
This set has that Aber workability included, doesn't it?
If you take extreme care, it's all functioning.
What is a bit weird is that you need a rod and a tube between the panels? Is that to keep them removable?
but still, these covers and some chickenwire REALLY make your Panther a late war one, these fittings were quite common on very late Panther-Gs.
I have not seen these covers on late war Panther G's with the raised cooling fan. Would that be a possibility to use on these?
Also while we're on the subject, is there any evidence that late war G's re-used the early G gun mantlet as a replacement?
Nice looking set from Aber by the way.
About the KampfRaumHeizung cover, definitly used.
Late war/final Panther-Gs assembled at MNH were all still fnished with the rounded mantlet.
There are a number of fitting unique (in the right context) to certain plants:
- MAN: Steel wheel at the last station
- MNH: box exhaust cover, round mantlet, no AA ring nor MG-post on the cupola
- DB: Chin mantlet, MG-post on the cupola, new cast exhaust cover
A very fine treasure to find late war Panther-G pictures are the PanzerWrecks series, many pics of these to be seen in those books.
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