Exhaust pipes and jack blocks

Thanks for that clarification. I agree I've muffed up on the jacks. I do believe you're right about "visual interest". I do like a little contrast. Sometimes the directions aren't any help either.

The jack would've been treated like any other piece of gear supplied to the military and painted hull color since it was stored externally as a matter of course just like fire extinguishers, tool boxes, or any other external fitting. That's the historical perspective and photos of brand new vehicles sitting outside depots show the jack matching the hull color on a consistent basis.

The modeler perspective however is rooted in "go with what you know" and so jacks, because the ones we usually see in car trunks are this way, developed a tradition of black or metallic paint on models as a result. Many stay with that convention for visual interest but there's no reason for it to be that way from an accuracy standpoint. Consider it an artistic license approach. Personally I usually paint my jacks to match the hull as a rule.

Panther exhausts that have the "three" pipe arrangement on the left hand side consisted of one central exhaust and two cooling pipes for airflow only, not exhaust gases from the engine, so those two smaller pipes shouldn't be rusted out as a matter of course. HTH!

Yes, I too heard that one or two of the pipes shouldn't rust out. I think the two left ones. I also paint the jack a wood color for some contrast.

I am not an expert,but somebody pointed out to me that on some Panthers,that they are not all exhaust pipes,two are intakes and that they are more likely to retain their paint while the exhausts because of moisture would rust out.

Also in Mig Jimenez's first FAQ,he depicts jacks. Painted yellow,so I guess it's just preference