1:35 Panther G turret Anti-Aircraft additional Armour

Additional armor for the turret of the Panther Ausf.G in 1:35 scale (Aber)

This is a small photo-etched accessory, not a model of the vehicle. The set reproduces the additional armor plates fitted to the turret of the German tank Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf.G Panther as protection against fire from above. In plastic kits this feature is either left out or molded in a thickness that comes across as too massive at the real scale. Photo-etched metal makes it possible to keep the correct thinness of the plate, which is seen at once on a finished model. The maker Aber is a Polish brand specializing in photo-etched and turned accessories. In extent this is a small set focused on one feature of the turret.

The real subject

The Panther Ausf.G was the last series-built version of this medium tank, recognizable among other things by the one-piece upper hull side and by the front plate without the driver's vision port. The additional plates on the turret were among the late modifications introduced on the production line as well as in field conditions, so both their presence and their execution differ from vehicle to vehicle. Before you use the set, check against references whether it corresponds to the guise of the vehicle you are building.

Building and painting tips

Cut the photo-etched parts out with a sharp scalpel on a hard surface and never tear them out, as you would tear the edge. Make the bends along the etched grooves, ideally in a photo-etch bending tool or between two steel rulers. They are glued with cyanoacrylate applied on the tip of a needle; excess glue turns white once dry and is hard to remove. First level the area on the turret where the part will go. Degrease the metal before painting and spray it with a metal primer, otherwise the paint will chip off under handling. Wear will then stand out well on the edges of the plates, along with drybrushing and fine scuffs.

Who the accessory is for

• Modelers who build the late guise of the Panther Ausf.G
• Builders of competition models who are bothered by plastic plates that are too thick
• Anyone interested in working with photo-etched parts, as this accessory is manageable in extent
• Those who want to match the look of a vehicle to a particular period modification

This is an accessory for a model, not a kit. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.