Another DML 1/35 Early Jagdpanter project.

You can't have too many Jagdpanthers.

I'm not familiar with production runs of the Jagdpanther offhand. I realize that this scene is in the Ardennes after zimmertt was discontinued, but if this early Jagdpanther hit the battlefield before the fall of 1944, then my guess is it would still have it. Not sure when the Late version hit the field, but this is an early version. And no, I don't consider myself a rivet counter.

Aside from my rambling, this should be cool. Good start so far.

Great subject Dan,,,    agreeing with tigerman on that, big time.

Looking very nice so far. Too bad about the bumps in the road,,, but wishing you all the luck with the rest of the build.

Will be watching...........................

Thanks for sharing!

Bill

Hi Tigerman,

For the JP's there seems to be a distinct lack of any separable date-wise divisions between early/mid/late during the Panther production runs. As you say - don't count rivits etc.. I have done some research on this and early JP's ran into the fall of 1944 after the end of Zimm application and have photos to support it. Surprised me as well. In fact the Panther series has many sub-variants due to the end of war stresses applied by allied bombing etc. so there are no fine lines to define what and when. I have some great drawings by George Bradford and have more photos that suggest that his drawings are off the mark.

One final aside, if you troll youtube for the JP you will find that of all of the surviving and running JP's they all have early to final parts on them. So there is always that replacement part detail issue to defend whatever type of model you want to make!

Dan

Looks good Dan,nice project.I like that resin stuff.Wbill76 did a great job on a  Jagdpanther in that camo pattern,see if you can find it in the search feature,I will be following yours also.Don't make mine look too shabby,OK

I think sometimes these early/mid/late designations we use can confuse matters more than they clear them up. While i can't say i have seen a Jagdpanther from this period without Zimm, as long as you are happy with it, and are aware of it, thats all that counts.

And its looking good so far.

Really good! Wish I could have one, but models are kinda expensive now-a-days.

Hi Bish,

Thanx for the kind words.

Regarding the distinctions of early to final for the JP, I am aware of only early and final versions, and in that I may be mistaken. That said, I have a copy from the Osprey Fighting Armor of WWII series called Panther Variants 1942-1945 by Doyle, Jentz & Badrocke. In it they have some color plates, one of which, Plate C, is of an early JP from the Ardennes campaign without Zimm. I can't scan an image due to copywrite considerations. Another plate in this book shows a Panther with Zimm so I don't think they would have avoided that detail necessarily. I also have this image from the Sinsheim Museum in Germany.

This is an early version and has no Zimm. On furher reflection it is indeed possible that the Zimm was removed before repainting if the amount of Zimm that had fallen off over the years warranted it. However as I said in an earlier post, considering the state of affairs in the German arms industry at that point in the war it is quite possible that early versions were still in assembly after Zimm was discontinued in September of 1944.

So - just more data from my point of view

Dan

Thanx Anthony,

No - I won't try to belittle your project.   You've done a fine job so far.

Thanx for following, and so will I!

Dan

Ye, i have the same book, looking at the plate now. That is a late version. Notice the bolts on top and bottom of the natlet, compared to the early and mid versions which don't have them. Also the early version has the single piece 88mm gun barrel, as oppsosed to the two piece barrel of the mid and late versions.

You are correct as I was only looking at the ass end of the tank. So I stand corrected on that point. But the Sinsheim picture as well as others I have seen continues to lead me to believe that it was indeed possible for an early version to sneak by without Zimm. But I don't care!!!

Dan

As i always say, as long as you are happy, thats all that counts. I will often mention things about historical accuracy if i see them in the hope of helping the builder. But theres nothing wrong with doing it your way, and from the looks of it so far, its going to be a good build.

I have sent you a PM, hope that helps.