There is not much one has to do to this kit to produce a truly excellent Panther. Especially if Tamiya's photo-etched engine screens and On-The-Mark-Models's Panther G detail set is used. The model comes moulded in the new dark yellow plastic that Tamiya now uses for all their WW2 German armour kits, which seems to be of a higher quality than previous plastics. This was the first of Tamiya's new Panther Ausf. G to be released; the kits are so similar that what is described here also applies to the other two, but differences are noted in the descriptions of the other two kits. This kit represents an early production run Panther Ausf. G. with the early rounded mantlet and twin low engine fan covers. Strangely it includes box armoured muffler housings, which should be rounded for an early Ausf. G. Since Tamiya obviously planned to produce more than one Panther from these moulds all three kits have details that may be correct for one version but are incorrect for the version the kit represents. I have pointed out the resulting detail problems for each kit in its appropriate section. I wager that Tamiya are planning to also produce a Panther Ausf. A based on these moulds too, why I'll explain later.

There were no moulding problems with my kit except for a slight warp in the top hull piece, which disappeared once the hull was glued together and the main gun barrel which was slightly warped too. There is a realistic cast appearance on the cupola, drive housing, and mantlet, and there are weld marks inside the joints on the hull top. The running gear components are accurate, including the double inner road wheels and small return roller behind the driver, but some of the hardware on the lower hull is a little suspect. The placement of the internal shock absorbers (indicated by bolts on the outside of the hull) is wrong, they are correct an Ausf. A however, so perhaps Tamiya are planning an Ausf. A. The track pin knock-in plate is missing, it should be near the idler. Details on adding one are in my construction article.

The basic shape is accurate and the model's dimensions scale out perfectly against plans in the Sturm & Drang Panther book with the exception of the gun barrel which is 3mm too long. Everything is where one would expect it to be on an early Panther Ausf. G. The tools are accurate with the exception of the gun cleaning rod storage tube; the protective strip should face upwards and not sideways. The cast texture on the commander's cupola and mantlet is quite convincing but there are no periscopes for the cupola included. Unfortunately Tamiya have done a poor job on the side skirt mountings, they are unrepresentative blobs. The side skirts themselves are wrong too; apart from being too thick, they do not overlap as on the real Panther. However, these can be substituted with parts from the On-The-Mark-Models set. Likewise other sheet metal parts are too thick including the mantlet rain guard, front fenders and muffler guards. These can either be replaced with thinner scratch-built items, substituted with the appropriate photo-etched items or even thinned down and used. The front fenders also lack the small separately hinged cut-out which opened to provide access to the tow-hooks.

The four large lifting hooks attached to the engine access plate are incorrectly placed for the early and mid (steel rimmed road wheeled version) - see my construction article on how to correct this for the early version. Absent are the smaller hooks around the circular engine fan housings, there should be three around each. Also missing are the driver and radio operators hatch bumpers from the front hull top. These where wooden strips mounted in metal housings; details on how to make these are again in my construction article.

A metal screw and nut is used for the gun elevation hinge. This is supposed to work better than a plastic one, since you can tighten it. Unfortunately, once the gun is installed you cannot get at the screw and it gets too loose after the gun is elevated a few times. A drop of white glue applied to the assembly from inside the turret will remedy this.

The tracks are moulded in a new synthetic rubber compound and are accurate but a bit too tight. The guide horns are solid and if this bothers you then it would be best to purchase a set of Fruilmodelissmo tracks or Kasten working tracks which have open guide horns or a set of Tamiya individual track links and drill out the horns. If this doesn't bother you then there is no reason not to use the the kit supplied loop tracks. Tamiya also include a sprue of injection moulded track links for spare track storage, these are the same sprues which make up their separate track kit, but again the guide horns are solid.

One rather unremarkable figure is included; a glum looking crew member in overalls. Painting information and decals are include for four vehicles which are based on actual photographed examples.