New Panther Tanks: A Comparison (1 Viewer)

[katana]

Three Toy Soldier manufacturers have introduced new models of the Panther Tank in the last two years. The standard of quality for 1/30 scale Panther Tanks was set by Honor Bound in 2006. How do these new offerings from K&C, Figarti and The Collectors Showcase compare in accuracy and quality to the Honor Bound panthers?
Accuracy assessment is based upon comparison with the real Panther Tank and adherance to 1/30 scale dimensions. Quality is more subjective but the amount of detail, functional parts i.e. hatches opening, barrel elevation and paint color and quality are all important determenantes of quality. Given the number and quality of the new offerings I think it would be useful to evaluate them on a single objective thread. All have previously been individually evaluated on the various manufacturers threads with some comparison between manufacturers. None of these comparisons have included the current acknowledged standard of quality the Honor Bound Panther.
My opinion is that the current standard of quality has been surpassed by the Figarti Panther G. The Figarti Panther is more accurate in detail and its quality is equal if not better than the previous standard. I also consider the current ranking of currently produced Panther models and the standard for comparison Honor Bound to have changed to: 1st. Figarti Panther G 2nd. K&C Panther A 3rd, Honor Bound Panther A and 4th Collectors Showcase Panther G. The first 2 Panthers conform to the dimensions for 1/30 scale and the correct shape and details of a Panther tank 3 and for do not; both are inaccurate models in comparison to 1 and 2.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Three Toy Soldier manufacturers have introduced new models of the Panther Tank in the last two years. The standard of quality for 1/30 scale Panther Tanks was set by Honor Bound in 2006. How do these new offerings from K&C, Figarti and The Collectors Showcase compare in accuracy and quality to the Honor Bound panthers?
Accuracy assessment is based upon comparison with the real Panther Tank and adherance to 1/30 scale dimensions. Quality is more subjective but the amount of detail, functional parts i.e. hatches opening, barrel elevation and paint color and quality are all important determenantes of quality. Given the number and quality of the new offerings I think it would be useful to evaluate them on a single objective thread. All have previously been individually evaluated on the various manufacturers threads with some comparison between manufacturers. None of these comparisons have included the current acknowledged standard of quality the Honor Bound Panther.
My opinion is that the current standard of quality has been surpassed by the Figarti Panther G. The Figarti Panther is more accurate in detail and its quality is equal if not better than the previous standard. I also consider the current ranking of currently produced Panther models and the standard for comparison Honor Bound to have changed to: 1st. Figarti Panther G 2nd. K&C Panther A 3rd, Honor Bound Panther A and 4th Collectors Showcase Panther G. The first 2 Panthers conform to the dimensions for 1/30 scale and the correct shape and details of a Panther tank 3 and for do not; both are inaccurate models in comparison to 1 and 2.

What detail is lacking on the HB Panther and where are the dimensions not 1:30 scale.

Terry

 

[katana]

The problems with the Collectors Showcase Panther G; not the earlier version, are it is 1/28 scale not 1/30. The turret roof does not slope as it should; which gives it a boxy look.
Details are missing; no headlamp for example. The Honor Bound Panther A is 1/30 scale except for the height of the deck: which should be 60MM in 1/30 scale, measures 68MM. The proportions are wrong. The width and length are correct. the height is wrong and it is apparent next to figures and other vehicles. The other problem is the turret roof does not slope as it should. The same problem as with the Collectors Showcase Panther G. I grant that these problems are subtle and most collectors may not notice them or consider them a problem. When evaluating and comparing similar products these errors reduce the ranking against products that get it right, as does Figarti! I have a Honor Bound and Figarti Panther sitting on my desk as I write these word. I find them to both be exceptional pieces of military art, but the Figarti Panther is the best of the current generation of 1/30 scale Panther tanks IMHOP.

 

[Hunter Rose]

Interesting, because I was actually just about to post the exact same thought, but in regards to the Honour Bound and Figarti Tigers (I think here the Figarti Wittman Tiger has, if not surpassed, than definitely equalled the Honour Bound Tigers).

As for the Panthers, I still haven't decided. The Figarti Panther definitely wins in the crisp, perfect detail area, as the only inaccuracy I can think of is leaving off the the rib/mounting bar for schurzen running down the side, but I did track down a picture of a destroyed Panther in front of the Cologne Cathedral that was lackng the mounting rib, so it's technically not wrong.

The only knock on the Figarti Panther is the paint job, since the late model Panther G depicted would have been sporting a distinct camo pattern depending on which factory it came from, with more distinct borders between color patches. The colors themselves are fine though. The Honour Bound Panther paint job is really good though, and I think nailed one of the variations of Dunkelgelb perfectly.

I think in a week, I would say the Figarti Panther is better on 4 days and the Honour Bound Panther is better on 3 days. If Figarti does this Panther whitewashed, I definitely will change my answer to Figarti.

We're I definitely disagree with you is in your ranking of the Panthers. In no way is the King and Country Panther better than the Honour Bound one. From crispness of detail to track definition to paint jobs, the Honour Bound Panther is still noticeably better than the KC one.

Some pics:

 

[katana]

Hunter Rose; Great photos as usual! The side by side frontal photo shows the difference in the height of the deck of the two Panthers. The Figarti is correct. The proportions of the Honor Bound wrong. For when it was made it set a new standard for 1/30 scale vehicles and forced the improvements we appreciate today from all 1/30 scale manufacturers. I certainly enjoy my example #422 with Schurtzen. I agree that the Zimmerit and paint is excellent.
I expect disagreement with my ranking of the Panthers. I come from the modeling side of the hobby; so accuracy and detail are most important in forming my opinion. Although inaccurate the Honor Bound is of very high quality and a work of art. Art need not be accurate to be appreciated but models must be or they are no longer models. Regards

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Hunter Rose; Great photos as usual! The side by side frontal photo shows the difference in the height of the deck of the two Panthers. The Figarti is correct. The proportions of the Honor Bound wrong. For when it was made it set a new standard for 1/30 scale vehicles and forced the improvements we appreciate today from all 1/30 scale manufacturers. I certainly enjoy my example #422 with Schurtzen. I agree that the Zimmerit and paint is excellent.
I expect disagreement with my ranking of the Panthers. I come from the modeling side of the hobby; so accuracy and detail are most important in forming my opinion. Although inaccurate the Honor Bound is of very high quality and a work of art. Art need not be accurate to be appreciated but models must be or they are no longer models. Regards

Thanks for the response. Those are subtle differences. But I have to agree with Hunter Rose post. I considered very carefully which Panthers to keep/purchase and decided on HB Resupplying the Panther. The subtle differences between between the Fig and HB panthers were less a consideration for me than the overall impression given by the model. The other Panther I kept is K&C Summer Panther WS072 for it's character and the excellent poses of the crew.

I don't suppose you would accept the reason the HB Panther sits a little higher is because it is empty of ammo and fuel (hence the name Resupplying the Panther) while the Fig Panther is fully loaded ^&grin^&grin But seriously, there will be detail differences between the HB and Fig. The HB is an Ausf. A and the Fig is an Ausf. G

Terry

 

[Blowtorch]

I'm not going to debate 1/28 vs 1/30 as I feel both have their merits, but I'm not sure either CS Panther is oversized. Pics posted show a similar size to HB which is just slightly over scale.

 

[katana]

Interesting, because I was actually just about to post the exact same thought, but in regards to the Honour Bound and Figarti Tigers (I think here the Figarti Wittman Tiger has, if not surpassed, than definitely equalled the Honour Bound Tigers).

As for the Panthers, I still haven't decided. The Figarti Panther definitely wins in the crisp, perfect detail area, as the only inaccuracy I can think of is leaving off the the rib/mounting bar for schurzen running down the side, but I did track down a picture of a destroyed Panther in front of the Cologne Cathedral that was lackng the mounting rib, so it's technically not wrong.

The only knock on the Figarti Panther is the paint job, since the late model Panther G depicted would have been sporting a distinct camo pattern depending on which factory it came from, with more distinct borders between color patches. The colors themselves are fine though. The Honour Bound Panther paint job is really good though, and I think nailed one of the variations of Dunkelgelb perfectly.

I think in a week, I would say the Figarti Panther is better on 4 days and the Honour Bound Panther is better on 3 days. If Figarti does this Panther whitewashed, I definitely will change my answer to Figarti.

We're I definitely disagree with you is in your ranking of the Panthers. In no way is the King and Country Panther better than the Honour Bound one. From crispness of detail to track definition to paint jobs, the Honour Bound Panther is still noticeably better than the KC one.

Some pics:

I think you should proceed with a Tiger I tank comparison. Combined with your excellent photos it would be a very valuable evaluation. Many new Tiger I tanks have been produced lately and I believe the Honor Bound Gold Tiger I tank is still ranked first in quality. Although their are some accuracy issues. Some have a turret that is too long that overhangs the deck hatches. Several were sold at auction on Ebay recently for over $1500.00. Regards

 

[katana]

I'm not going to debate 1/28 vs 1/30 as I feel both have their merits, but I'm not sure either CS Panther is oversized. Pics posted show a similar size to HB which is just slightly over scale.

A full size Panther is 129 inches wide. The Collectors Showcase Panther is 4.75 inches wide and the Honor Bound and Figarti Panthers are 4.375 inches wide. Divided into 129 inches the CS Panther is 1/27 scale. The Honor Bound and Figarti Panthers are 1/29.5 scale.
I have no problem with 1/27 scale vehicles as the oversize 68MM figures look better with the larger vehicles. I actually display the 68MM figures from K&C, TCS and Thomas Gunn with 1/25 scale models from Tamiya and Academy. A 68MM figure is a scale height of 5 foot 8 inches in 1/25 scale which is accurate for the period. I posted photos of these models with a K&C figure in an earlier post. I would appreciate your opinion. Regards