oT Ta aoe ‘ey CCC TB Nm 2080The Panther G, subject of this diorama together with the new MDA-kit ‘Ruined barn’ (MDA 35011), was a simplified version of the earlier Panthers. The original hull was too complicated to produce, involving too much cutting, welding and too many, jigs. Moreover, there were too many different gages of rolled armorplating.. The bend in the Sponson bottom was straightened, the angle of, the sponson sides increased from 50° to 61° and the thickness of the plate increased. The driver's and radio-operator's hatches changed in shape. To keep shots from deflecting into the hull roof, caused by the rounded underside of the gun mantlet, the latter was changed in shape. Later Panther G types were equipped with the steel roadwheels with internal rubber spring-action to save rubber, used in great quantities for the old type rubber-lined roadwheels. Eventually, the complicated procedure of interlocking the various plates was changed to simple buttwelding. The best Panther-kit is without doubt the one Beast in the yard from Nichimo. The basic detail is quite sufficient, although especially the hull needs some conversions to make a real G-type Panthers These changes are all illustrated on the following pages. These basically concern the driver's and radio-operator's hatch covers and cooling grids. Besides that, the typical late-war Zimmerit anti-magnetie ‘mine paste should be simulated. The new MDA-kit represents a barn that is quite typical for the French and Belgian country- side. Thete is an abundance of farm accessories on offer from the French company Historex to make a very interesting scene. The basic kit of the farm is already very interesting, however, there are enough possibilities for the enthousiastic detailer to make the most out of it. The fairly Rew set with photo-etched iron works were specially designed for this kits Other new VP-items featured on this diorama are the embossed cardboard cobble- stones and the popular but up till now hard-to-get static grass.‘The only real changes involved with the Nichimo kit are the updated cooling intake and outlet covers of the late type PantherG. All you need for the changes is some plastic sheet and a piece of mosquito netting or lace curtai Most of the work involved in finishing the kit is consumed by super-detailing. Most kits cither lack small detail or the detail is too heavy, the Nichimo Panther is no exeption to that. Many mounting points and handgrips are missing, while the trackskiets and gun cleaning-rod container are liable for improvements. Detail of the finished, unpainted Zimmerit. To obtain the eroded areas you may either work around these spots or mask them with tape. 4 ‘The Zimmerit pattern is drawn on the bare plastic with a pencil. Next, a liberal amount of liquid glue is applied on the surface to soften the plastic. ‘This softened plastic is worked with a brush to obtain a rough surface. Then, the pattern lines are scribed with a knife or needle. These are then finished and you have your Zimmerit. Note that the areas where additional kitparts should ‘g0 should be left smooth. The driver's and radio-operator's hatch covers are best made anew since the kitparts are quite insufficiently detailed. Also note the detail on ‘the barrel travel-lock, the episcopes and gun mantict. The finished engine deck in detail. Note the addi- tional details from plastic sheet, rod and lace