KC and Honour Bound Panthers (1 Viewer)

[sceic2]

To me:

The HB tracks look like they are rusty and well worn, without any ground debris. They look natural for a clean set of used tracks. Plus they do not have the excess resin between the drive and follow wheels that is apparently difficult to remove during manufacturing.

The K&C tracks look like they are full of mud and vegetation. Normandy and Northern France in late spring, especially with the Germans flooding many fields to discourage airborne landings in the region, look natural to me.

I like the differences. Yes, K&C tracks need more attention to make the individual tracks look more realistic; Yes, K&C tracks historically have had excessive material between the drive train and following wheels; but HB seems to be using the K&C experience to make theirs different.

I still am waiting for any panthers to show up at my door. The K&C has been shipped, but still have no word from George on his supply of HB’s.

My only comment to HB is, great job on building the anticipation by using your current production schedule.

 

[Combat]

I have to hand it to those of you who bought all 4 Panthers. But I think we will begin to separate the men from the boys when HB releases the Winter, infrared, and captured Soviet Panther. That makes 7 not counting the bergepanthers with damaged Panther in tow. There should be plenty of room once our wives move out.

 

[jazzeum]

If that's the case, we're all boys here. It's becoming apparent that we're going to have to start making choices here. I'll be interested in the captured Panther but on the others I may have to pass for now.

 

[OzDigger]

I reckon the Bergepanther will be the most popular as few model manufacturers have made these rare vehicles - just think of the diorama possibilities

 

[Combat]

I reckon the Bergepanther will be the most popular as few model manufacturers have made these rare vehicles - just think of the diorama possibilities

When I mentioned the Bergepanther to a dealer recently he rolled his eyes and indicated that he didn't think he could sell any. I think the hard core collectors like us might go for them as a novelty but the more general buyers may not. Would make for a good limited edition item in my opinion. Also, I could be flat out wrong if it looks great with the Panther in tow. I also saw the KC Panther for the first time today. Looks very good, but those tracks really are awful.

 

[noli-poli]

When I mentioned the Bergepanther to a dealer recently he rolled his eyes and indicated that he didn't think he could sell any. I think the hard core collectors like us might go for them as a novelty but the more general buyers may not. Would make for a good limited edition item in my opinion. Also, I could be flat out wrong if it looks great with the Panther in tow. I also saw the KC Panther for the first time today. Looks very good, but those tracks really are awful.

I just pre-ordered 2 of Bergepanther. This will be a winner. It stands out among all others. I can almost predict that it will become the most sought after piece in the auction market.

N-P

 

[Louis Badolato]

I would bet the Bergepanther is the biggest seller of the lot. Not everybody is going to buy all of the different panthers, but all serious collectors are going to want something as unusual and useful in a diorama as this vehicle will be. The dealer who rolled his eyes probably doesn't have access to a lot of heavy hitter collectors. I'm sure dealers like George, Bill Sager and Shannon are looking forward to its release.

 

[Combat]

I would bet the Bergepanther is the biggest seller of the lot. Not everybody is going to buy all of the different panthers, but all serious collectors are going to want something as unusual and useful in a diorama as this vehicle will be. The dealer who rolled his eyes probably doesn't have access to a lot of heavy hitter collectors. I'm sure dealers like George, Bill Sager and Shannon are looking forward to its release.

Louis-
You may be right. I'm thinking the HB Winter Panther might be a contender. Those KC winter tank riders might look nice hitching a ride.

 

[Fullyautomatic]

Since I now have my Normandy K&C Panther in hand and nobody answered my last questions regarding the gun lock I see that it can be placed in the up or down position. Nice touch by the way. My new question is in regard to the gun barrel/turret configuration. Is there some kind of spring in there because there sure seems to be alot of pressure on the barrel when its placed in the gun lock position or when trying to elevate the barrel which can't be done.
Overall I'm pleased with this latest release. Not as clean as the pictures of the HB tank I've seen(thanks Alex for the comparison pic's) but I still like the battle damage and of course the figures. Its appropriately earned a spot in the curio.

 

[Alexdakar]

I believe there are some springs because I have a damaged Panzer IV and I see that there are 3 springs between the barrel and turret.

 

[Combat]

I believe there are some springs because I have a damaged Panzer IV and I see that there are 3 springs between the barrel and turret.

Alex-
Do you have any pics of all three HB Panthers? Might be nice to see how they look grouped together.

 

[Alexdakar]

Here you go.

 

[sceic2]

Yes!!! I can't wait. They look really good together. Thanks for posting the picture.

 

[Combat]

Alex-
That looks great. I notice Barkmann is hitching a ride in 422. The upcoming field kitchen and bergepanther should fit in nicely with the general theme. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Alexdakar]

One more.

 

[Steven Chong]

Dear Alex,

Where did you get the trees in the photos showing all three HB tanks?

 

[Alexdakar]

They are Dept. 56 trees that came four in a box. My wife bought it so not sure about the price. It was on sale.

 

[sceic2]

I have purchased a lot of Dept 56 stuff. I use the diorama material and my mother collects the villages. I have found that if you shop around, just key in "department 56" on yahoo or google and take your choice. Key in the part number if you know it and a number of sites will be shown.

Often this site:
http://www.oaklanddrugs.com/acatalo...EY=department%2056&OVMTC=standard&CatalogBody
has the best deals, free shipping, and availability of a lot of the retired pieces. There is an large selection of trees for all seasons and they look great. I have even done kit bashing on the trees. I'll kit bash anything. I even took off most of the winter snow off the K&C jeep in "Friend or Foe" from the Battle of the Bulge. It made the jeep look like it was just dirty and I use it on a summer convoy scene.