I am getting ready to purchase an early model panther and I wanted to know who makes the best kit? I plan on using PE, aluminum barrel and Indy track. Thanks for your help.
Panther A and D-- DML
Panther G early and late—Tamiya
panther g late tamiya is a great kit. lots of options
Well Tamiya doesn’t make a D, and Italeri’s I know nothing about, so consensus favorite says Dragon. Being a newer molding, the tracks should be pretty nice and may save you money on AM ones.
The ‘early’ Panther was the D type. Dragon makes a good Panther D. Over at GreatModels it’s in-stock for $24.70. That’s kit #6164. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the cheesy side-armor plates that come with the kit. I bought some after-market ones, Eduard I think, which looked much more in-scale. Aber makes a gun barrel for the Panther D for $14.40 at GreatModels, as well as a PE detail set for $16.95. CMK, Czech Master has a gun barrel listed for $7.60. Half the price of the Aber one. Haven’t used either one so can’t speak of their quality, although Aber is well thought of. Friulmodel makes a set of individual track-links for the Panther D for $37.95. Modelkastem makes a set of plastic individual track-links for $29.95.
This is just a very partial list of Panther D stuff. Go to Greatmodels website and hit their search function. Type in ‘Panther D’ and look at all the listings. Make sure you have plenty of time since there’s a ton of stuff listed. Greatmodels web address is:
Glenn
Dragon Panther Ausf D is the only game in town, but it needs some work to get it into a Early D, have a look in the Panther group build, i think Petbat did the Ausf D
Eduard has a Alum barrel too, make sure you get the right tracks as the Ausf D tracks are different to the other Panther tracks
dont bother with the Italeri Ausf D
ive done the Dragon Panther Ausf A early and its a great kit
Here is my Dragon early D befehlungspanzer. A great kit, I used Fruilmodel tracks, deluxe PE set and a Rubio barrel.[:P]
Steve
Nice job on that D command tank crockett . I would like to tackle that DML kit again soon , ( my first attempt was ok at best ) . That kit is not realy that bad , while not entirely accurate , it requires just minimal fixes to make a good early AUSF D model . There were 3 early panthers The Early D being the first , followed by the early ausf A ,( very similar to the D in many ways, except for the "newer"style cupola and MG ring ) and then early Ausf G respectively which had a newer style hull and turret. DML as far as I know is the only game in town for the D and as far as I know for the A as well , The early G I would go tamiya if you have the cash for it . That is just a great model all around .