Dragon Panther Ausf. A/G Double Build

Looking good!  Hate to tell you but your weld seam effort is misplaced.  The cupola was not welded in place -- unlike the later Tigers and Tiger IIs.  I would also not place the tow cable ends onto the exhaust tubes -- 1) thin walled tubing wouldn't take the shock/weight of the tow cables and 2) they got so hot as to glow red.  Not a good thing if you suddenly need to handle the tow cables, eh?

Oh please don't tell me making those weld seams was for nothing.  And I'm not gonna leave them on exhaust tubes, thats just where they are for the time being.  I'm gonna consult my panzer tracts book on the weld seam around the cupola.  Thanks for telling me before I painted it.

Looks good. I built this a few months ago, was one of the nicest kits I have built in a long time. I had bought a Aber PE set for it, but I used less than half I thought the kit was that well detailed.

And Roy is right about those weld seams and the tow cables.

The final result won't have them on there.  I have to take them off to paint them anyway.  Idk why the Panther G doesn't have the rear peg on the side spare track rack like the other models do.  I still have to add on the exhaust covers which I'm gonna do last after I paint/rust up the exhaust pipes.

The reason I added the weld seam around the cupola was it had a slight gap so I figured it was welded on at the base.  I'll remove it today.  i"m still debating on what scheme to paint it.  

I am not sure why they didn't add those to the G's, I can find no mention of it in Panzer Tracts.

I went for the 1st SS Pz Div scheme. It was a lot easier to do than I had expected and I really like the look of it.

The main thing I question is the coloring of the HJ tactical numbers.  From what I've seen of other vehicles they're black with a white outline not red with a white outline.  I have a couple more schemes in my Kagero Panther book as well to choose from.  I consulted my Panzer Tracts book this morning and it doesn't show any weld seam around the cupola so I'll remove it tonight.  I moved the tow cables to the central hook on the main engine access cover and I think I'll keep them there  or hook them onto the rear tow shackles.  

Are the ones with the black numbers all from the same Company. Some units used different colours for each.

I do find it awkward to tell black from red markings in B&W photo's. I have a set of AM decals for a 251/9 with the numbers in black. A colour plate of the same vehicle shows them red. But a photo of it shows the numbers do look lighter than the cross below, but they are at a different angle so it could be the light.

I had some markings on a Panzer IV from the HJ division with the black letters/white outline.  It maybe a different company within the division that had different colored numbering.  From what I can remember the HJ division was more of an ad hoc division to repel the Normandy invasion.  I know its been a subject of debate on here before but it seems like the colors should be black/white outline from the b/w pics I've seen.

Would that be one with numbers starting in 6.

The 12th were formed in July 43 and were a fully fledged Pz Div. It had a full pz Regt with 2 battalions, the 1st with panthers, the 2nd with Pz IV's. It is possible that the 2 battalions had different coloured numbers. The colour plates I have seen show red numbers on the panthers and I think this is one of those cases were you have to make a best guess as it would be hard to prove either way.

If it was me, I would go red.

Here it is as it sits now a blank canvas ready for primer and Gunze paints.  The antenna was made from .020 wire cut to 5.7 cm.

Here's some shots of the Ausf. A Premium Edition thats just about ready for paint too, added a whole slew of aftermarket goodies.  Aber gun barrel, Friul tracks and Atak Zimmerit  and Eduard Schurzen which I haven't attached yet. The paint scheme I'm going to do is "714" from 5th SS Panzer Division.  As its the only one i found that has the tile pattern.

Hi Mr. Tankster.

Not sure if this is to any help for you but here is a link that you might find of interest;

www.militarymodelling.com/.../panther%20a%20late%20befehls%20r02%20wiking%20ostfront%202.jpg

Just Google R0II, R02 or #800.

According to resource found on the internet this is Kowel in the Spring 44.

Good luck!

Zack