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Scale Model Shop
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Steve Jones Panther Ausf G Early Production Rye Field Model 1:35 (AAGB)
Surprisingly though I read many Panthers carried on being built with the orginal mantlet all the way up to the end of the war.
This is in part because German factories worked on the FILO (first in, last out) principle: if, say, a batch of “chin" mantlets was delivered to the factory when there was still a supply of rounded ones, the chinned mantlets would basically be put in front of the old ones, so that they got used first. If/when the chinned mantlets then ran out far enough that the rounded ones became accessible again, workers would just grab those and stick them onto the tanks.
Not sure if this applies to Panther mantlets in particular, but it does to German tanks in general, and explains a lot of the vehicles displaying mixed features of different subvariants.
The whole point of the chain is to keep the plug attached to the tank, so I think it would probably stay there unless things got really bad. Driving through a dense forest or a building might just remove it, I suppose. Or, of course, a lucky shot by an enemy
You can see a similar feature on more modern German tanks, BTW. The Leopard 1 had two rubber plugs attached to the hull front by chains, to close the telescope and coax MG holes in the mantlet for deep wading. They were supposed to be removed after wading by turning the turret.
:smiling6: Steve, what can I say, a kit after your heart. Even as an OOB it has all the attributes of detail that you would have wanted to add. I particularly like the unseen parts like the turret ring...perfect for a dio of a knocked out Panther with internal combustion, hatches open with turret lying a few meters away. Saves on scratch building. This kit is loaded.
You are still sticking to OOB as long as you don't scratch or add AM stuff. Just so happens you picked the wrong kit for a stroll in the park. :smiling2:
So far looks really good and a lovely job keeping your hands of modifying.:thumb2:
Appreciate the support Wouter. These OOB builds are quite fast
Cheers Andy
Glad you like it Allen
Great info Jakko. Many thanks
Thanks Scottie. Steady build but enjoying it immensely
Cheers Bob
You Si. I still have all the wheels to do
Its wonderfully detailed Richard. I have been so impressed. I wil be doing a little bit of scratchery but that is for extras not corrections
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