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Forums - Modelling / Construction |
The construction forum is for the discussion of techniques on the construction phase of AFV modelling and the tools and materials used. |
| Topics | 1939 |
| Messages | 9055 |
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| Subject: | Re: Bergepanther update kit |  |
| Date: | Sep 1, 2008 |
| From: | John Martin | |
Rick
Verlinden has the only game in town so there is not much debate. There are others but as they were resin too, i.e., limited run, they are hard to find even on Ebay.
For starters the photo on the box is reversed and thats a pretty good indication of whats inside the box.
I reviewed this upgrade kit several times in the past on this site. Fuel tanks are not included and must be fabricated - its easy to do with Lego blocks. The battery is included but you should have two and there is not a holder as I recall. Most important there is not rear brace for the winch and there are no known photos in any publication or website that I am aware to show what it looks like. The front brace brace of the upgrade is incomplete. In assembling the winch you must be very careful to get everything square (90 degrees or parallel) and this requires constant fiddling. There are also parts that are not used like the power take-off for the turret - this is molded to the floor and must be hacked off as the winch sits on top of this spot. Otherwise the winch will sit too high.
Don't plan on using the instructions as a reference as locations are not provided and there is no information otherwise.
Finally using the Italeri kit is a wasted effort as there are multiple dimension problems. The spade is about the only usable piece in the kit and even that needs some work. The opening for the winch and winch box are too small - see any published reference, especially Jentz. You would be better off using a Dragon Panther kit - D, A, or G. Most crucial is the distinct sitting stance of the Bergepanther with the weight of the turret removed. The suspension is high in the front, low in the rear. You need an articulated suspension to do that like the Dragon or Tamiya kit.
I would be glad to share any information I have. I have attempted 3 builds of the Bergepanther (SOB Italeri, Dragon fixed suspension Panther, and Tamiya Panther). I lost interest most recently when Dragon released their Panthers with articulated suspension, that looked so much better than the resin block floor that came with the upgrade.
John
Wyoming, USA |
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