Dragon's Panther G "Night Fighter"?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Has anyone built this model? Is It a good one? Any problems? Any advise?

Thanks

2

AH HA!!! Now your speaking my language. I have built two of them… most recently for the Panther Group build. I’ll be honest… I love this kit but it does have some areas to watch for…

  1. the Mantlet fit to the turret face is a little strange. The mantlet wants to sit off to the right a bit which produces a bit of an overhang at the top where the half round gun mount and the top corner of the turret meet.
  2. the rear of the engine deck has some filler pieces that go between the rear most air intakes and the back edge of the deck. Both kits I built took filling and sanding here. Do this early and it isn’t a problem.
  3. The sponson bottoms need a lot of filler but again do this early and it isn’t that noticablein the end anyway no doubt if you put mud under the sponsons.
  4. The engine deck lift lugs are not as big as the holes they go in so this makes for a gap around at least two sides that needs to be filled.

It really is a good kit that goes together well. The first time I built it, i did it strait from the box and it looked great, this last time…well it wasn’t so much out of the box.
[img] AH HA!!! Now your speaking my language. I have built two of them… most recently for the Panther Group build. I’ll be honest… I love this kit but it does have some areas to watch for…

  1. the Mantlet fit to the turret face is a little strange. The mantlet wants to sit off to the right a bit which produces a bit of an overhang at the top where the half round gun mount and the top corner of the turret meet.
  2. the rear of the engine deck has some filler pieces that go between the rear most air intakes and the back edge of the deck. Both kits I built took filling and sanding here. Do this early and it isn’t a problem.
  3. The sponson bottoms need a lot of filler but again do this early and it isn’t that noticablein the end anyway no doubt if you put mud under the sponsons.
  4. The engine deck lift lugs are not as big as the holes they go in so this makes for a gap around at least two sides that needs to be filled.

It really is a good kit that goes together well. The first time I built it, i did it strait from the box and it looked great, this last time…well it wasn’t so much out of the box. This is some shots of the new one…

I used the kit tracks on one which are perfectly fine (save the non-hollow guide horns) I used Model Kastens on the new one. plus Aber etched and a lot of leftover Tamiya parts (which were more personal preference than anything.) I’ll tell you though if you have Tamiyas Late Jagdpanther that is a great source of spare Late G parts for the DML kit.

Bottom line is Built it stock or build it not stock its a great kit…

3

Newbie question: Why is it called a “Night Fighter”? I’ve saeen this kit on e-bay recently and I have been wondering this.

4

It has the IR gear included with it…

5

the IR kits are in nice clear plastic

6

Very nice looking Panther Ken.
mark956

7

I’m building one and it is a nice fitting kit. I didn’t care for the tracks, too much cleanup and what not, so I’m substituting Tamiya’s . The kit is so cheap which is darn nice, that adding certain upgrades won’t kill your wallet in the end. Tamiya’s is over twice as expensive. I added Tamiya’s engine grilles as well. A must.

8

Hey, looking great. I love that hard edge camo. Cant wat to see it weatherd.

Later…
Brian.

9

I really like that camo, Kenneth. Really nice job!

10

Thanks, Kenneth. I saw a Tamiya IR Panther on Ebay and bid on it then I saw that the Dragon IR Panther was a little cheaper than I bid but I won the Tamiya panther so I try this one.

11

Hey kenneth

I really need to ask about your neet paint job.
Well I’ve always been told to paint from lighter shade to the dark one.
You seem to have done the opposite, why? what were your considerations?

Thanks!

12

i have to admit, i love this kit for the price. i also have built two the first box stock and the second using cavalier zimmeritt. for around 18 bucks i would recommend it to any one.

13

oh and kenneth , i really like the hard edge camo on the one you posted. good job