Sd.Kfz. 173 "Jagdpanther" (Late Production); Tamiya´s latest "Full Option" kit

I have always loved the shape of the "Jagdpanther" on which the German tank designers realized the principle of sloped armour plates near to perfection. That is what made it appear like an elegant sports car rather than a tank of 45 1/2 tons. All "Full Option" models have to be a compromise between the high potential of detail the large scale offers and the necessity to keep things simple due to the workability as their key feature.

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Here you will find more images of this project.

A close look into the box clearly shows that Tamiya has concentrated on the problem-free workability instead of a high level of detail. Just having finished a complete OOTP project I decided in contrast to this to change the main emphasis and push the detail to the limit instead.

A detailed description of this project is featured in the "Tamiya Model Magazine International", issue 150, April 2008. Another article has been published in the German "Kit Militär-Modell Journal", issue 2/2008; it was also featured in the Italian "Steel Art" magazine issue 55 / July 2008. Another article has beeen featured in the Japanese "Armour Modelling", issue 104/June 2008.

Items used:
Aber
16015	Panther G Vol. 1: Basic set
16016	Panther G Vol. 2: Grilles
16017	Panther G Vol 3: Fenders
16019	Panther G Vol. 5: Rear stowage boxes
Elitearmor Productions
ELADC1607	Jagdpanther Tank Destroyers - Late Versions
Impact
16T012CS	Metal tracks/Drive sprockets for Panther G/Jagdpanther
Schumo-Kits
FIG0010	German tank commander WWII
KT0017H	Aluminium gun barrel King Tiger
PA0013	Antenna base Panther G
PA0015	Conical steel antenna Panther G
PA0021	Detailset 01(hull) for Panther G
PA0022	sights for Tamiya Panther G
TI0019	Bosch headlights for Tiger I
ZUH18	Wingnut-Set