Tamiya Panther D #35345

[sturmbird]

have this kit in my stash. Kinda simplistic, but still OK. I also have the metal barrel and breech assembly kit from Tamiya. Know it needs screens and maybe a few other things. But no zimmerit!

Was thinking about doing a Kursk Panther like the kit claims it to be. The box art looks odd to me, as all photos I've seen show no camo, and look pretty much factory new (not beat up). I thought I'd use the Trumpeter tracks on it, as I have two boxes of them for the Leopard (same track). Just can't get past the paint job. Is the box art correct? Or were they not camouflaged.

Anybody have any thoughts?
gary

[joelsmith]

Gary, to the best of my knowledge, the two battalions were rushed from the factory to the battlefield. This haste led to many breakdowns and losses from fire and other mechanical ailments. So to the original question, there would be no camouflage due to the werkstatt companies spending all their time repairing the damaged vehicles. Hope this helps, Joel.

[sturmbird]

May 11, 2017 20:39:17 GMT -5 joelsmith said:

Gary, to the best of my knowledge, the two battalions were rushed from the factory to the battlefield. This haste led to many breakdowns and losses from fire and other mechanical ailments. So to the original question, there would be no camouflage due to the werkstatt companies spending all their time repairing the damaged vehicles. Hope this helps, Joel.

I did finally find some more images, and yes they were camo'd. But not like the Tamiya box art. Plus there were two add on boxes. One on the fender opposite the driver, and one at the rear. The first two groups delivered didn't have side shield over the road wheels as well. After this group there were other groups delivered, but also a little different yet. Some had an X pattern camo in tan and green and some were green with a tan pattern. Yet the boxes were gone. It appears that Tamiya is doing one of the late delivery ones, and not an early D. I really like the way the first ones were laid out, but also might be a bear to build the boxes without data.

gary

[afvfan]

Found this old discussion on another site that may help: planetarmor.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2859

I also found a number of images doing a Google search using the words: Kursk Panther Images

[sturmbird]

May 12, 2017 7:18:21 GMT -5 afvfan said:

Found this old discussion on another site that may help: planetarmor.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2859

I also found a number of images doing a Google search using the words: Kursk Panther Images

I've seen that photo before, but wouldn't copy to my PC. The tank in the picture is one of the first two lots of Panthers sent to Russia. Even then some of these Panthers didn't have the extra box on the side, but did have one in the back (note we see two in the rear). Did a couple hours of research last night, and have determined that the Tamiya kit is one from the later issued lots. Yet painted wrong! Yes it had a camo paint job, but nothing like this. Interesting is that some were yellow, and some were a darker green color, but all were some kind of camo. The first two lots were simply yellow. No Zimmerit was applied, although there is supposed to be a photo out there of one with field applied zimmerit. I've not found it yet.

I'm now of the opinion that the Dragon kit maybe the way to go. Still there is a Voyager P.E. set that does the side box, but not sure about the rear box(s). I went ahead and ordered in the Tamiya screens for the rear, but not positive the fans are correct yet. Some are round and some are not. It seems that the Panther D was a tank constantly evolving.

gary

[afvfan]

There are about 9 or so pics on the 2 pages of that thread. The ones on the 2nd page would be of more interest to you as there're 3 or 4 with the side box. The rear boxes are so varied, they have to be unit add ons.