The most important derivative of the Panther was the famous Jagdpanzer V Jagdpanther (Hunting Panther), one of the best known AFVs to appear in WW II. The Germans built several important items of self-propelled artillery equipment as assault gun or tank destroyer but invariably these were makeshift adaptations on obsolescent chassis. The need for a fast, up-to-date tank destroyer on a modern chassis was met by adapting the Panther. Previous attempts to produce a heavy tank destroyer had been unsuccesful. The 88mm Pak had been mounted on the Porsche Tiger chassis (to make the Ferdinand) and on the PzKpwf IV chassis as the Nashorn, but both of these improvisations proved unsatisfactory as the Ferdinand was too heavy and the Nashorn too small and underpowered. By 1943, however, there was an urgent need for tank destroyers in quantity so it was decided to utilize the best available chassis, that of the Panther.

The Panther chassis was used unaltered, but the front and upper side plates were extended upwards to make a well-sloped enclosed superstructure. The mantlet was fitted in the centre of the hull front with a limited traverse for the 88mm Pak 43/3 L/71 gun of 11^o each side. First production Jagdpanthers had a one-piece barrel, but later a two-piece barrel was used to ease barrel changing. Instead of the welded mantelet the final production examples of the Jagdpanther were given a bolted collarpiece which covered the gun opening.

Another conversion from the Hen Long Panther tank, this one lends itself quite well to the out of proportion donour model. This little fella features the usual gear, full sound, muzzle/MG flash, smoking exhausts and battle system!!

Quite pleased with the finished model, turned out nice!

Close up of the Zimmerit, note the MG port blanking screen hanging from the chain

EXTERMINAAAATTE!

'Two nuns and a penguin walking down the street'