Takom announces a new Panther Ausf. F
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/takom-panther-ausf--f
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/takom-panther-ausf--f
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Looks like Takom simply put a F turret on a G hull.
Forgive my innocence, but I thought that’s what an “F” was anyway!
IIRC, the F model was supposed to have redesigned hull hatches.
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More than that!
All is true but the only actual physical example is the F turret on a G chassis.
I never purchased the quick build Panther G or Jagdpather because of the tracks. This one is different. Since it is a conjectural tank, solid horn tracks are fine. I may buy a few to play around with. The crew heater fittings are in the closed configuration so I guess it needs to wear winter camouflage.
Even with all my Panther reference books, even after spending many hours reading about Panthers on the internet, I still have no clue what makes a Panther F hull different from a Panther G hull. There is a factory picture often claimed to show Panther F and Panther G hulls in a mixed production batch. The only differences I can see are some really tiny fittings. The shape of the cutout above the driver may be slightly different as well.
Internet authors often claim a Panther F with a Panther G turret fought at Berlin. There is a picture. I have no clue what makes it a Panther F hull. See above.
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The hull welds were different along with the hull hatches.
Wasn’t there to be a different sprocket and track?
Didn’t Dragon do one of these? (too idle to check Scalemates!) If so, was it any good?
Dragon and Cyber Hobby released a number of Panther F models.
All of the above are based on Dragon 6268, a Panther G from 2006.
I built 6268 and 6382 when they came out about 20 years ago. They were the models that started my interest in Panther tanks and Dragon as a company. (I also own 6403 sealed and 4 more sealed Dragon Panthers. I was briefly cuckoo for coco Panthers.)
Dragon Panthers are really nice but have some fiddly (as in obnoxious) quirks. In my opinion, for a Panther that is modestly less accurate but much easier to build, Takom is the way to go. If you want open guide horns, chains on spare track retaining pins, accurate swing arms, and stuff like that, Dragon is the better choice.
The article linked by Dan does not explain the difference between a G and an F hull. That information probably resides in the Panzer Tracts volume covering the Panther F. Maybe it is in Quest for Combat Supremacy and I forgot.
Thanks for that very comprehensive reply (and others); I’ve always had a slight temptation to pursue a Deutsches Reich '46 theme. That’s not to say it’ll happen but one never quite knows there the hobby will take one(!)