1:35 Cupola for Panther late ausf. D (for Tamiya)

The real subject

The Panther Ausf. D was the first version of the German medium tank Panther to go into production. During its manufacture the machine changed in detail, and one of the most conspicuous changes was to the commander's cupola. Early examples carried a cylindrical cupola with vision ports in the wall, while on later ones a cupola with periscopes arranged around its circumference replaced it. From a meter away the difference is clearly noticeable on a finished model and it is among the first things by which a connoisseur recognizes which period of production you have built.

What the set contains

A replacement commander's cupola in the late rendition for a model in 1:35 scale, cut according to the name to the Tamiya kit. It replaces the part from the kit in a place where the shape is intricate and where a sharper rendition than the kit part offers pays off on a model.

Building and painting tips

Remove the original cupola carefully and level the seat in the turret roof; only then try the new part dry, until it sits down without a gap. Cut excess material away with a sharp blade a little from the part and sand the remainder down. The parts are not polystyrene and ordinary cement for plastic has no effect on them; use cyanoacrylate glue. Wash and degrease before painting. Watch that the cupola is upright and correctly turned relative to the turret, as a part seated crooked shows at once. Finish the interior before you glue the cupola on.

Who it is for

For modelers who are building a particular machine of later Ausf. D production and want a cupola matching the subject. The work calls for cutting into a finished kit part, so it suits builders with experience rather than beginners. The model itself, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.