Hi all,
I have the DML Premium Panther D sitting in its box, and I wan’t to do it up real nice, interior and all… I am going to be doing the Premium Elefant first, with the Verlinden Interior… and I want to do the same with the Panther. VP only makes a Panter A kit tho, so I was wondering how close the two are. I know the Machine Gun setup in the front is diffferent, but is anything else really?
Thanks!
According to page 56 of Panther Tank, the Quest for Combat Supremacy, these are the internal changes on an initial Ausf A which are different from the Ausf D, (at least those that could be seen at this scale); Cupola and periscopes, turret traverse motor, auxiliary hand traverse for loader, elevating mechanism for gun, foot-pedals for hydraulic traverse, azimuth indicator, turret traverse lock (can you see this?), sight mount, loader’s periscope, compressor on turret platform, gunner’s seat and loader’s seat.
Hmm… thanks for the response, that’s what I was afraid of… anyone know if there’s an actual Panther Asuf. D Interior kit out there?
I would think that retro-fitting the A interior to the D would probably be relatively simple. The items that need to be removed are probably insignifigant at 1/35th scale. Unless you are planning a “cut away” for full visibility, most of the differences would be barely visible through the rear escape hatch and the cupola opening. The ABER Panther A/D deluxe set has all the D cupola and escape hatch PE that you would need. I’m not aware of any full D interiors out there.
Here are the A changes according to Jentz and Doyle:
cast cupola
fixed loaders periscope
redesigned seals on the mantlet
redesigned seals for the turret race
simplified elevation mech for main gun
variable speed traverse drive based on engine speed
You could probably get away modifying the A interior, unless you wish to make an exact replica.
regards,
Steve