TAMIYAModels German Pzkfw V Panther Ausf A Model Kit

I hadn’t built a model in 4.5 years and wanted to do one when I had some time off between starting a new job. The last time I had built this exact Panther kit, I was a teenager so it’s been over 20 years. I had forgotten about some of the pros and cons of the model when I bought it. Regardless of the cons, it’s still an impressive model kit and I’ll just list some things to be aware of. In all honestly, the rubber tracks to attach to the wheels as well as the plastic tracks that come with it to attach to the sides are pretty bad and inaccurate. The tracks do not look like Panther tracks and are very generic. The insides of the rubber tracks are completely smooth with no indications that each track has separate links. Some may not care but it bothered me so I bought a set of Panther tracks that came with 180 plastic track links (Tamiya Models German Panther Ausf.D Separate Track Link Set (1/35 Scale)). I had to glue a piece onto each link and then carefully clip each separate link into each other for two sets of tracks. Each track takes 85 links. That left 10 leftover tracks to attach to the Panther’s sides. As tedious as the tracks were, I’m glad I did them. The exhaust pipes are solid so if you want them to look more accurate, you have to hollow them out. I used an X-acto knife and spun it around to get it alright. Also, the periscopes are just little arches. It is a very basic kit where I imagine others Panther kits may have more detail and be more accurate. However, it’s still a nice model and can be made to look pretty cool. This is also the first model I had ever airbrushed and as nervous as I was using an airbrush for the first time, it seemed to go pretty smooth for the most part. I may add the towing cables later if I feel like trying to bend them in hot water or making my own cable out of wires if possible. It was pretty fun to build and paint, I’m happy with the way it turned out, and it got me in the mindset that I may not wait another 4 years to build another model.

REQUIRES CONSTRUCTION. REQUIRES PAINT. REQUIRES PATIENCE.Very simple kit compared to Tamiya's Tiger one Early Production kit. Same exact type of rubber tracks though. Tracks looked great in gunmetal oil. Use Oils for details and acrylics for the Tank. Use matte silver oil-based spray paint as the primer, so when you get done painting the acrylic camo you can use a fine nail file to accurately show weathering,etc eithout an airbrush. :-) Use high quality paints. I like Humbrol for oils at $2 a metal tin and high-grade fine acrylics. Make sure you buy media and matte set for the acrylics. Ceramic stores are great places. Instructions are in Japanese and English. Thick high quality plastic. Chassis fits to underbelly flawlessly. Good Feel to it. They must have re-tooled the 1978 mold. Soldier's faces great detail. Very little flash to cut off. Have not primed it yet or started assembly. Took freaking six weeks to get here with free shipping from Japan. Lots of sexy Japanese women on newspaper it was packed in. Box was one half the size of the Tamiya Tiger One Box. The Panther Ausf (Type A) was ONLY fifteen dollars though. Well worth it.

Clear instructions and would recommend for anyone getting into the hobby. I am a beginner and this took me approximately 2.5 hours to complete (without painting.)

Absolutely amazing model! Incredible detail and it is of very high quality. The parts fit together very well and is not very difficult to assemble. My favorite feature is that there are lots of parts that can move. The turret turns, gun elevates, all hatches can open, ball-mounted hull machine gun can move, and the front drivers viewport can swing open as well. My first model, a very pleasant modeling experience.

This is another very good model from Tamiya. While being a bit older, it still looks great. No unnecessary parts, good markings, and good quality plastic and molding. Highly reccomend if you want to make a Stalingrad, Kursk, or other 1942-45 diorama. Easy to build, instructions in English/German, and Japanese. Decals and tools are well made. All-around good model, especially for the price.

Its a very old model from 1969 and is lacking some details but at the price you cant beat it. Great to learn how to do zimmerit as the other Panther kits are +$40. Had a bit of a time putting the hull pieces together but with a little putty it was fine. Also had a big problem with the poly wheel caps not sticking even with CA glue.NOTE: this is a model not a toy. You have to assemble everything down to the grab handles and paint. It is also not a toy and is very fragile.

Have you ever built something and the parts don't fit? It's enough to make you angry. These parts by and large fit very well and what challenges there are can be met with a file and patience.Oh, if it was 5 stars it would be snap-to-fit.

Tamiya 1/35 German Medium Tank, is a scale model and not a toy. It comes unassembled and needs to be glue together and painted.The castings are very good and the pieces go together well. I did notice that one or two small items were not shown on the building instructions. The model is medium to simple to build and will take a veteran model builder about one day to assemble.The top shell and the bottom do not form a perfect edge along the front of the tank. I used body putty to fill in the gap that was left after the assembly.