I mentioned in another thread that I was tackling this beast.
I also mentioned that I had come across a couple of problems. I decided to search for reviews of this today, and only found one (on missing-lynx, I think) of the generally-similar Jagdpanther.
Being devoid of plans, I’d like to know how accurate this model is, but I do have a list of things I don’t like about it, and a list of tips for building it better than how the instructions describe construction.
I think that the best things about this kit are:
- individual maintenance and pioneer tools;
- the range of markings options;
- the commander figure;
- the “outside” details on the tracks (which unfortunately have no guide teeth or “inside” detail);
- the weld seam detail; and
- the fit of the hull and turret components.
The things I don’t like are:
- the general “clunkiness” of some of the details like the handles on the engine deck hatches;
- the absence of sponson “floor”;
- the fit of the tracks (especially tricky around the idler wheel);
- the narrow roadwheels (especially the ones that fit in between the “overlapping” ones);
- the instructions, generally.
A couple of things that could be done better using today’s moulding technology would include the exhausts and gun, but these are not things that I particularly dislike. I’m going to compare this to the Revell Panther (A/D) one day, and look forward to sharing my pictures of the completed build with you. I’m a little confused about whether or not it will be appropriate to Zimmerit the turret. The instructions indicate that it’s Zimmed (and I have little enough faith in the instructions now), but I’ve read elsewhere that turrets were not supposed to be Zimmed.
Also, would it be appropriate for the turret to have hard-edged 3-colour camo, while the hull is resplendent in plain dunkelgelb (for Normandy, 1944)? Replacement turret, perhaps? It seems strange to me, but then if a tank spends most of its life hull-down, why waste paint?