CS Panther vs. K&C Panther (1 Viewer)

[marksable]

Hope it's appropriate to ask this here, but I was wondering if anyone owned both the CS Panther (Normandy version) and the latest K&C Panther (Hitlerjugend). If so...what are the differences? Size, sculpting, stability/durability etc. Is there one you prefer?

I haven't had the opportunity to look at either in person. They seem quite similar in photos, and CS has the edge right now in terms of price and the ability to switch out the tankers/treads to make it a damaged vehicle. For those reasons, I'm eying a Winter Panzer IV to go up against my Figarti JS-2 as well.

My collection is predominantly K&C and Britains. I own the CS Natal Carbineers and the DAK SdKfz and jumpers. Both sets go quite well with my Britains Zulus and K&C AK figures respectively. I do worry about the fragility of the SdKfz, though, and haven't had much luck placing the included jumper on it. I wonder if there might be similar issues with the Panther or Panzer IV.

 

[MC BOWEN]

Hi mark i own both panthers and find they work alright together .the size on both is close.if you are worried about the fragility of the models i would go panther -cs. Rather than panzer iv---the skirts make the iv harder to move around without them falling off.i love both c.s.and k&c and think the panthers will work together well.the best panther i think if you can find one is honor bound.a more realistic look than cs or k&c which i think are great.h.b.is just a little above and it is a shame they do not make afv's any more.you will not be unhappy with either or both c.s.and k&c panther's.

 

[Mitch]

There both good IMO I thought the latest K&C one was a very good rendition of the panther the wheel detail was better but not brilliant still has the mould detail which, is dissapointing and, the only other downer was the very bright decals. The CS has no problem with wheel detail but, and this is a personal preference I prefer the traditional bowl shaped wheels on a panther not the flat steel wheels so, my edge would go to K&C on that point alone. However, CS has also captured the essence of the panther very well
Mitch

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I have taken some pics for you. One is the K&C HJ Normandy Panther and the other is a Collectors Showcase Winter Panther. The CS Panther is LONGER in length. Also there are differences in the design of the top rear areas of both tanks as far as size and placement of the round ventilation grills. The CS Turret is wider in appearance as viewed from the top down. Also look at the CS turret. It is placed further back on the hull. This is evident on the pic showing the rear side view. Hope this helps !!






LEFT: Collectors Showcase Panther RIGHT: King&Country HJ Panther

 

[marksable]

Hope this helps !!

Thanks!
My biggest concern with the CS Panther was sturdiness...not because I have any reason to think CS models are fragile, I just don't have much experience with them. Given the price difference and the ability to replace the treads and drivers for a damaged Panther look, I'm leaning towards the CS model right now.

 

[Thompyt]

Looks like the K&C HJ Panther is undersized. Its turret is set too far back as well. There should be less depth sepersting the rear turret to the engine access cover, reguardless of the Ausfuhrung.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Looks like the K&C HJ Panther is undersized. Its turret is set too far back as well. There should be less depth sepersting the rear turret to the engine access cover, reguardless of the Ausfuhrung.

I don't know how you can conclude the K&C Panther is undersized unless you have the measurement of the model and compare them to the official measurements of a Panther. And it appears the CS turret is set further back than the K&C turret. Again, comparisons like this are valid only against measurements/photos of actual Panthers.

Terry

 

[Mitch]

Of all the CS AFV's I have I would not think to say any of them are more fragile than any other makers. I have found they are well made
Mitch

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Thanks!
My biggest concern with the CS Panther was sturdiness...not because I have any reason to think CS models are fragile, I just don't have much experience with them. Given the price difference and the ability to replace the treads and drivers for a damaged Panther look, I'm leaning towards the CS model right now.

The CS panther is quite sturdy. Being the drivers side of the track comes on and off just keep this in mind when handling it ! :rolleyes2:

 

[Thompyt]

I don't know how you can conclude the K&C Panther is undersized unless you have the measurement of the model and compare them to the official measurements of a Panther. And it appears the CS turret is set further back than the K&C turret. Again, comparisons like this are valid only against measurements/photos of actual Panthers.

Terry

Photos and scale line drawings are what I used to compare. The actual turret location is incorrect for the HJ Panther. It should be closer to the engine hatch. I agree about the actual scaling. Is it 1:30 ratio? Dunno, I don't have one on hand to measure at the moment. I have seen them together though and the HJ seems anemic.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Photos and scale line drawings are what I used to compare. The actual turret location is incorrect for the HJ Panther. It should be closer to the engine hatch. I agree about the actual scaling. Is it 1:30 ratio? Dunno, I don't have one on hand to measure at the moment. I have seen them together though and the HJ seems anemic.

Hey, I own that Tank !!! {sm3}

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Photos and scale line drawings are what I used to compare. The actual turret location is incorrect for the HJ Panther. It should be closer to the engine hatch. I agree about the actual scaling. Is it 1:30 ratio? Dunno, I don't have one on hand to measure at the moment. I have seen them together though and the HJ seems anemic.

I don't have either tank to measure, but if anyone wants to post the hull length (without the gun) and hull width, the scale is easy enough to calculate.

In the original post it sounded like you thought the K&C turret was too far back and that is what I responded to. But clearly you meant not back far enough. According to Panzertracts, the turret position of the K&C is OK for an Ausf. G (althougth it is supposed to be an Ausf A.) Consider the engine cover on the CS model goes almost to the front of the grills but the K&C engine cover goes only 1/2 way to the front of the grills.

I think a comparison of scale should be the first step, then that will give more info to compare turret locations.

Terry

 

[kilted vampire]

Quite frankly I own both of the K&C and TCS models. I like them both. Both are fairly robust. I like the options afforded by the TCS .

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Agreed ,after work today I will take some precise measurements and both Panthers and post those later !

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Agreed ,after work today I will take some precise measurements and both Panthers and post those later !

The Panther Ausf. G hull length without the gun is 6.866 m. It's the same for the early Ausf. D and I am assuming it is unchanged for the Ausf. A which came after the Ausf. D but before the Ausf. G.

The width of the Ausf. G with sideskirts is 3.420 m. and about 3.4 m without.

The big visual difference was the Ausf. G had a redesigned engine deck so comparing turret location on an Ausf. A to an Ausf. G is difficult.

Terry

 

[MC BOWEN]

I HAVE BOTH AND THEY ARE VERY NICE.DOWN THE ROAD AFTER YOU GET THESE 2 OR ONE TAKE A LOOK AT HONOR BOUND IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.--REAL REAL NICE IMO.

 

[Mitch]

Great pic. Indeed they are superb AFV's
Mitch

I HAVE BOTH AND THEY ARE VERY NICE.DOWN THE ROAD AFTER YOU GET THESE 2 OR ONE TAKE A LOOK AT HONOR BOUND IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.--REAL REAL NICE IMO.