Steve, would you put the Tamiya and a DML side-by-side and say they were more or less equivalent? I have several Tamiya Tigers in my stash that build up well with extra TLC, so I'm not opposed to Tamiya. At the end of the day, though, I don't know that I need more than one JP in my collection, so maybe the simplest is to go with this kit and skip the AM Zim in favor of Friuls....

Bill, I'm not a "rivet counter", nor do I profess to be any sort of expert on Jagdpanthers, but for my money the Tamiya "Late" JP is a very good kit. Of course there's always scope to add more bells & whistles, but I think that the Tamiya kit still has a decent level of detail OOB, and it certainly looks the part once built. All it really needs are some AM engine grilles and, really, Friuls to do it proper justice. I can't make a direct comparison with DML Jagdpanthers because I've not built one. I do however have the DML "Early" (G1) Jagdpanther (kit no. 6458) untouched in the stash. As you'd expect, that one is a more complex build which (looking at the instructions and box content) appears to go the extra yard or two in terms of additional fine detail. And I would imagine the more recent Zimm'd DML offerings are similar in that respect. But (sticking my neck out here) I'd say that as long as you don't mind shelling out for a set of Friuls and PE grilles, the Tamiya "Late" JP holds its own, certainly. And of course the Tamiya kit is significantly cheaper to start with. - Steve

Steve, would you put the Tamiya and a DML side-by-side and say they were more or less equivalent? I have several Tamiya Tigers in my stash that build up well with extra TLC, so I'm not opposed to Tamiya. At the end of the day, though, I don't know that I need more than one JP in my collection, so maybe the simplest is to go with this kit and skip the AM Zim in favor of Friuls....[/quote] Bill, If you only want 1 in your collection, why not just get the JP (late) by DML. It doesn't need zim, and you get indy tracks. Unless you specifically "want" an early, the whole thing can be simplified. I bought the non-zimmed DML JP because I wanted to try AM zim, and a JP has a pretty easy shape, so I figured it would be a good first attempt.

Thanks, Steve, for the detailed reply. I appreciate it. That's a good suggestion. I'm really probably only going to do one JP. I have three regular Panthers (one built for an upcoming feature), and at least a 1/2 dozen Tigers Is in the stash or built, but there ARE limits (I suppose), LOL!

That's a good suggestion. I'm really probably only going to do one JP. I have three regular Panthers (one built for an upcoming feature), and at least a 1/2 dozen Tigers Is in the stash or built, but there ARE limits (I suppose), LOL![/quote] Seems definitely to be the easy button here, unless you crave an early production model.

Sorry, but isn't the late model already out? Yes. and I'm 3/4 of the way through making it. I've just spent 3 nights assembling the %$*%##@!!! magic tracks (I like to paint my tracks before putting them on the vehicle) and would MUCH prefer to have seen a set of DS tracks, even to the point that I was tempted to remove the DS tracks from my early Panther with Zimmerit, but resisted. A good thing about this kit is that it comes with all the necessary bits to complete it as a final version (as I'm doing) - you will need to move a few tools and add the extra vent on the engine deck, but that's about it. Rob

Actually the Panther G style vents used on the G2 were different than the A/D type used on the G1. The first slim ones could be used, but the rear would have to be the same, not the large ones provided in the late G1 model and the little intake deal on the G would have to be added also the exhausts too. Oh, the fan covers too, they are small in diameter than the D/A type. Not much to make it the G2. Good luck on yours. Would love to see it when it is done.

Rob, Sorry, but this kit can't be made into a "final". Yes you can move the tools, and add the extra vent on to the deck, but the G2 Jagdpanther had some different hull angles due to the Panther G engine deck now being used. Currently theTamiya kit is the only one that has the correct hull angles. Now if you want to go ahead and build and label it a final you can do that and most people probably won't know, but this was just an fyi. (yes when it comes to the big cats I'm somewhat of a rivet counter ) Cheers, Mike

Limits, Bill?? To the stash???!! Surely you jest - Steve