1/35 Jagdpanther problems

Hello Fellow Modelers,

I’m working on the Tamiya Jagd, I have run into 2 major problems with aftermarket P.Etch, and barrel. The p.e. kit is from ABER # 35028 nicely done, yet the screens for the engine grills appear to be a hair to large, and on the side of the front fender where the headlight rest the p.e part seem’s to backwards. The “bolt heads” and slot for the light don’t match up right, it seem’s ABER mixed the 2 sides up and never corrected it. The barrel-Armor Scale # B35003 very nice indeed, BUT the mantle will not rest inside the kit correctly. I would appear you need to glue it in place with-out any movement. In the directions it shows that you need to cut off the tip where the kit barrel slides into, I tried this with my old Jagd that had been junked and it(the AS Barrel) was to thick to rest inside. On top of that gluing the boars head mantle to the bolted mantle will not allow the proper space, hence making this model all the more delicate!! This s#*t is driving me crazy! To boot, both state “fit” for Tamiya kit—has anyone else had problems like this, or better yet making a Jag with either or both update kits?

Hope someone can help,

Bryan

Haven’t built this particular kit or used the sets you describe, but the symptoms aren’t uncommon with AM from time to time. Even though they are designed for use on certain kits, that doesn’t always mean they are “drop fit” replacements. Sometimes some surgery and/or adjustment is necessary to make it work. The problem you describe with the mantlet is probably due more to the weight of the barrel than anything else, many times when adding an aluminum barrel I’ve had to fix it in position instead of keeping it moveable since the movement was designed with a plastic piece in mind, nut a turned metal one.

I have an Aber set for a Jagd and the first thing I noticed was that it was very comprehensive but done for Early and late Tamiya and Dragon so there may be pieces that will give problems. Also in the set I got (its old now) there was ammendments to the instructions. Best check some reference work.

Terry.

Thanks for the input, I guess I need to get a bit more creative and do the best with what I have,

Bryan