Panther Variants?

[Estnische]

OK, so I am considering that I might to a Heng Long Panther as my second tank, and I think an 'A' is my choice, if only for the fact that I can change the standard 'G'.

But I'm struggling to find definitive answers to what makes an 'A' - a bit disappointed in my Steve Zagola 'Panther v T34' book in that regard.

I thought it included:

- MG ball
- rounded mantlet chin
- no close defence turret ports
- rounded cupola
- skewed front hull hatches
- matching rear deck vents
- stepped rear side sponsons
- dished road wheels
- left exhaust with triple pipes

But then I see this:



Any Experten care to chime in with some advice?

[dgsselkirk]

Nothing unusual at all about swapped out pieces and parts.Especially on gate guards or museum examples. But even during wartime there are lots of example of Panthers with a variety of A parts on G's and vice versa. Hell, I have a picture of a G with an original D commanders cupola! Thought you might be interested in this site. As you follow the chart you can see lots of cross over of technical changes and lots of the time the factories would use up parts on the floor.

Also vehicles coming back into depot for repair. "Hey Hans! will this fit? Ya, stick it on and use the hammer!" LOL!

You mentioned exhausts. If you hunt the internet you can find all the versions of the exhaust on virtually every model mixed and matched. This is why I love the Panther too! Lots of fun looking at individual vehicles...

http://www.panther1944.de/index.php/en/ ... enderungen

Here is my "A" in progress. It has been set aside for a year but I hope to get back to it soon... I miss it...

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=13525&hilit=Panther+A

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning,
A helpful link: http://www.achtungpanzer.com/german-pan ... allery.htm
regards,
Painless

[dgsselkirk]

That one is a perfect example of how even museums sometimes get it wrong. The triple pipe system is located on the wrong side. I have the full book on this piece and used it a lot for reference on my build. Also Littlefield's "A" is a good source for detail although they too messed up a couple of things...

[Estnische]

Thanks For the replies guys - exactly what I was after.