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 Sd.Kfz. 171, Pz.Kpfw. V "Panther", Ausf. G (IR-equipped)

I had the idea for this model when I came over a photo showing a line of damaged "Panther"-hulls, which were sent back from the front for remanufacturing. The photo has been taken in the spring of 1945 after Allied troops had already overrun the factory (as far as I know M.A.N.). Obviously the hulls were used to salvage spare parts from them. It was very stunning to me that as late as this even hulls from the "D" series could be found along with "A" and "G" hulls. When all those parts were used as spares, it seemed rather likely to me that newly produced hulls may have been outfitted with them.

In addition I have simply been fascinated by the contrast of Primer Red and "Sandgelb" and this project provided the opportunity to push this contrast to the limit.

As there is no direct photographic evidence for this idea, the model might be declared to be not historically correct, but for sure it is capable to visualize the actual fact that German manufacturers throughout the war had to face shortage of just every necessary supply. Though the model does not pretend to be an exact copy of a particular tank, it reflects with the artistic methods of modelling on actual aspects of the (technical) history. And therefore I would declare it to be realistic.

A detailed description has been featured in the issues 175 and 176 in May and June 2010 of the "Tamiya Model Magazine International" as well as in the German "ModellFan", issue 05/May 2010 and 06/June 2010. The Italian "Model Time" has also featured a detailed description in issues 169 and 170 in August/September 2010.

Another article on this model is featured in the Japanese "Armour Modelling", issue 128/June 2010 and in the "Art of Modelling", issue 08/July-August 2011.