KC and Honour Bound Panthers (1 Viewer)

Wholeheartedly agree. This forum probably wouldn't exist if Andy had sat back and not tried for constant and consistent improvement. It will be a pleasure to see how he sets the benchmark for quality. HB really does need to do something about the figures. It's the one thing that gives me pause about buying their future products. That's what I mean about the "total package." They need to improve in those other areas and I'm sure they will.
 
Seeing both vehicles side by side, it amazes me how well they look together. The quality of the vehicle sculpting itself seems to favor HB, while the K&C tank gets an edge in realistic additions. The figures seem to slightly favor K&C, but considering this is HB's first effort it is impressive and very well received. I look forward to Andy's response. The side by side comparison of sculpting details in the tracks, wheels, and rear of the Panthers clearly favors HB, and K&C will hopefully address this longstanding weekness in future releases.
 
Clearly the HB version has the better detail and crisper lines. The K & C version has their usual rounded off edges and poor track/road wheel detail together with that horrible vegetation 'camo'.

There is no doubt that the brighter coloring on the K & C version provides it with more visual appeal compared to the more subdued HB coloration. However we should keep in mind that tanks were colored to blend into the background rather than have vivid colors to make them stand out. Therefore the HB version is more accurate in that matter.

Overall (imo) the Honour Bound version shows what a polystone model tank should look like. I'm sure most of you are already aware that I have on more than one occassion indicated my disatisfaction with K & C tracked models and to a lesser degree their wheeled issues. However I have always been impressed by their ability to market their products and I'm sure K & C will soon provide us with improved versions of their earlier models and new molds to meet the challenge from HB.

I haven't seen any close up figure pics but I would be surprised if the HB figures were better than K & C's as the later are usually very good.
 
Louis Badolato said:
Seeing both vehicles side by side, it amazes me how well they look together. The quality of the vehicle sculpting itself seems to favor HB, while the K&C tank gets an edge in realistic additions. The figures seem to slightly favor K&C, but considering this is HB's first effort it is impressive and very well received. I look forward to Andy's response. The side by side comparison of sculpting details in the tracks, wheels, and rear of the Panthers clearly favors HB, and K&C will hopefully address this longstanding weekness in future releases.
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Louis-
I agree. Just a couple of observations. As far as I can tell, the HB tanks have the same additional equipment as the KC Panther (track, helmets, shovels, jerry cans etc). Regardling the color, I believe the HB tanks can come in a "weathered" or "nonweathered" version. The one pictured by Carlos appears to be the more muted weathered version. The NW version is more consistent with the KC color. See:

http://www.honourbound.com/TextPhotos.asp?Id_Text=15
 
Thank you Carlos for posting the pictures. Very through job of showing the two styles.

I am anxiously waiting for George at MM to send me the K&C version and all three of the HB sets. Judging by your great pictures, I think I am going to be very pleased with both companies work.

While I am mostly a K&C collector, I am pleased that others like HB are joining the market. I am still thinking of a way that I can effectively display all four of my panthers.

Great job HB and K&C. Keep 'em com'in and I'll keep buy'um.
 
Combat said:
Louis-
I agree. Just a couple of observations. As far as I can tell, the HB tanks have the same additional equipment as the KC Panther (track, helmets, shovels, jerry cans etc). Regardling the color, I believe the HB tanks can come in a "weathered" or "nonweathered" version. The one pictured by Carlos appears to be the more muted weathered version. The NW version is more consistent with the KC color. See:

http://www.honourbound.com/TextPhotos.asp?Id_Text=15
Click to expand...

The HB tank additional equipment doesn't seem as pronounced as the K & C Panther: knapsacks, helmets, etc. That's one of the realtistic touches that K & C adds. The best example of this may be their Sherman.

It's startling to think how good the HB Panther is, consiering this is their first effort in the field. I'm looking forward to what they do with the Allies. I also find myself giving a look to the Beau Geste line. Although not World War II, I like that line, considering my recent interest in bands.

When you have two quality manufacturers competing against each other, we can only be the winner.
 
jazzeum said:
One thing I wish the HB Panther had is the various equipment, helmets, etc. that is on the K & C tanks. That gives the tank it's realism so to speak. One idea might be to use the K & C figures on the HB tank.

Although it's natural to make the comparison, it's also a little unfair as K & C hasn't had a chance to react to what HB has done. It will be interesting to see after they do.

Thanks for posting those Carlos.
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Well, there you have it folks, another totally unbias, completely objective side by side comparsion review of KING AND COUNTRY vs that other maker who dares enter the 1:30 arena by Brad. Where's helmets, tracks, shovels, axes, road wheels, jerry cans, etc. on the HB version, they're all over it! The color isn't bright or eye catching, camo should blend, take a look at the Wittman tiger or the Stug IV. Alright, K&C figures are still the benchmark, but HB has made a terrific first effort and the detail on their tank is first rate. And to say the comparsion is unfair to K&C is rather strange as this is K&C's four or fifth panther and only the first for HB, look at K&C's early efforts in the AFVs and compare them to HB's first time out. The panthers by both K&C and HB are fantastic in their own right and each deserves a place in my collection.:D
 
Have't got either but judging from the pictures clearly the HB Panther is a winner in terms of detailed wheels and the Zimmerit looks great etc but K&C has some better looking figures. However saying that, K&C have had 20 years to get their act together so I reckon give HB a little time and they will be a serious contender in this market.
With regards to the review by Brad - has anybody ever heard him say anything bad about K&C??? :)
 
Very nice photo comparison. Thank you

Anyone know release date for the HB Panthers. When is George getting them?
 
Thanks Carlos for the pics. I ordered all four Panthers but they are not here yet so you beat to the pics. I guess i'll see them in person for myself.
 
Alexdakar said:
Thanks Carlos for the pics. I ordered all four Panthers but they are not here yet so you beat to the pics. I guess i'll see them in person for myself.
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Alex-
I hope you have some sturdy shelves. The HB's weigh a ton. Also save some room for the Winter HB Panther which looks like the best of the bunch. Given that most folks do not appear to have seen the HBs, it would nice to hear your assessment of how they compare with the KC Panther and how they compare among themselves.
 
I have glass shelves but in my new display cabinet I'm going to go with wood. I'll let you all know what I think about the Panthers when they arrive.
 
fyi: Some really interesting releases upcoming from HB that Ana has just noted on the "Other Manufactures" thread.
 
Since my Panther is in transit as we speak and not in my hand for visial inspection from the pictures, I noticed that the K&C Panther seems to have a gun lock in place. Does this remain in the upward position or can it be layed flat? Does this mean the barrel is already attached to the turret like the Ambush Panther of old. I also note the hatches that are opened are non-painted-bright white. Did K&C run low on paint here?
Just thinking outloud today. Still bought one Andy, so don't worry about that. I have a reserved spot already in the curio for it.
 
I recieved the 3 HB Panthers and the K&C Panther today. These are great additions to my collection. Well here is my asessment of the Panthers.

Panther Boxes

I'm stuck between the two. K&C has the product displayed on the box with some cool pics and info. HB has a cool theme going on. There boxes look like ammo boxes.

compare1.jpg


Packaging

K&C wins on this one because its less complicated. HB has a screw underneath the tank but sometimes it doesn't hold on so on two of them I didn't need to unscrew it.

Figures

K&C wins here but I was expecting mediocre figures from HB but they are quite good. I was impress by the camo on one of the tankers. The HB figures are thinner but they might be able to blend in. On the plus side for HB is that these can be used with 60mm or 54mm figures.

Tanks

HB Panthers: WOW! They are a clear winner here. I love the camo and weathering. The zimmerit is very well done and visible. I also like that the tank has a lot of accuracy. It comes with a plastic atenna to prevent injuries ;) . Last but not least is the tracks. They are very well done and weathered. I would only suggest that the stowage have a bit more attention to detail instead of just one color without shading or highlighting.

compare1111.jpg


K&C Panther was a bit of a disappointment. First thing that stands out are the tracks. Not good. Not sure if the vegatation was a good idea. I think the tank is too bright and the zimmerit is not too visible. It does have a bit more stowage than HB and division markings.
 
Here are the pics of the tracks but I had a little trouble with the focus.


compare11.jpg

compare111.jpg
 
That's a very revealing picture. Those HB tracks look far superior.
I have the K&C panther and thought it looked a bit messy at the front and track area. I'll try and get one of those HB panthers if they become available in the UK.
 
That's what I'm talking about :)

However I have to agree with Alex that the HB accessories are rather bland looking, but of course even the ham fisted of us could repaint those Jerry cans and helmets to make them more weathered looking.
 
Nice pictures, Alex, thanks for posting. Looks like those HB tracks have meet OZ's very high standards, kudos to HB for a very impressive first release, keep 'em coming. Now they just need to speed up that production line and get the distribution glitches ironed out.;)

Fred
 
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