Steve Jones Panther Ausf G Early Production Rye Field Model 1:35 (AAGB)

[Steve Jones]

Hi Everyone

The pictures hide the reality Bob! :smiling5:
Certainly learnt my lesson Wouter - Lager after modelling not before:tongue-out:
I knew precious little before this build Si. Just spent a few weeks reading up on them. This is the part of the hobby I enjoy the most
Its locked away safe and sound Bob. Hopefully I wont have to touch it until the end of the build. Learnt the hard way too many times in the past:smiling:
Cheers Greg. Glad you like it
Neil/Scottie/Jakko/Pete/Mr T - Many thanks to you all for your input and help on the mesh. As I type, Postie has just delived me some Eduard hexagonal mesh. I will try and give some feedback later this week. The plastic stuff is on - just - but I am concerned about its longevity especially once painted. I will keep it on until I am happy that the PE is the better option. I never thought of looking for hex mesh just chicken wire. DOH! So I managed to find some on Evilbay as the US stuff would not have arrived until the end of the month
Many thanks Ian

[Steve Jones]

.

[Steve Jones]

.

[Jim R]

HI Steve

So much for this being an OOB build:smiling5::smiling:

Well I never believed it :tongue-out3:
Despite a few issues the detail is rather good and your work is neat and well planned as always.
Jim

[Si Benson]

Morning Comrade,

What a palaver with the MG ball mount wotsit! Glad you got it sorted eventually. Impressed with all that lovely detail round the hatches, would’ve look great all opened up.

keep it coming mate :thumb2:

[Steve Jones]

.

[Wouter]

Hi Steve, from what I could find the crew compartment heater was a feature added from October 44 and onwards. The sliding covers were installed even later (December 44). So I guess it all depends on the production date of the Panther you are building and wether you want to build a 'correct' Panther...my two cents is that 100% correct is hard to achieve anyway. I'd say go for what you like most. I personally would add it, gives it something extra. ^^

Cheers

[Steve Jones]

Your a star Wouter. I just found it in Thomas Jentz book about the Kampfraumheizung. The modified mounting and cover plates - Schutzcappe - didnt come in until November and December which is far too late. Now the problem I have, is the chin guard mantlet came in Sepetember 1944. Surprisingly though I read many Panthers carried on being built with the orginal mantlet all the way up to the end of the war. So if I want the heater I am going to have to move my production date from August to October 1944. Also I need to see if the kit has the smaller self cleaning idler that came into effect in October. Do we know if both MAN and MHN added the heater to their respective models??

[Steve Jones]

From what I can tell it was more likely the disc camo came out of the factory in the Ocober/ November batch rather than the August batch. Also I have both versions of the idler so that wont be an issue. I also have three types of exhaust to chose from so I need to work out which one was used Ocober 1944. I found out that the rain guard on the turret was used from August onwards so if I am not happy with the filling I did I could cover it with the guard.

I was supposed to be resting my brain and not doing any research on this build. Unfortunately all the options and lack of guidance in the instructions are not enabling me to do this:face-with-head-bandage:

[Steve Jones]

Decision has been made! I really like the Flammvernichter exhausts which came in October 1944. So now I can have these exhausts, rain cover and heaters. Job done :thumb2:

So I dont have to worry about G46 and G47 now. As for the tie hooks the most popular position is near the edge of the hatch

If you think anything is incorrect or wish to add more information then please do so

Off to rest my brain

[minitnkr]

Sounds good as you seem to have it well in hand. As an aside, refurbs & field repairs were a crapshoot, so many variations existed late war as evidenced in photos. PaulE

[Steve Jones]

.

[Steve Jones]

Good point well made Paul. That will cover me then, belt and braces. Many thanks

[Neil Merryweather]

I say, what an absolute MINEFIELD!

[Steve Jones]

Food and drink for us rivet counters Neil :smiling: :smiling5: :smiling5: :smiling5: :smiling: