Ausf G Rear deck fan cover

[Adam Zagorski]

Perhaps there is someone who could help me out with some historical information. I have come to the point of needing to come up with a paint scheme, reference time and unit number for my tank build.

From what I can see, the left rear deck fan cover on later versions had the large raised cover for the added ductwork put into the newer Panthers. The Universal kit I have has the two rear deck fan covers the same which is the same smaller covers as the older Ausf A and D versions had.

The Universal kit also has the smaller engine grate configuration as the newer Ausf G had.

Being that the Universal kit has the later version mantlet with the chin I can either grind off the chin to make an older version Ausf G from early 1944 when they first came into production or to get the larger fan intake for the right rear deck as the later models had.

Hopefully I have not confused the issue too much, but I wanted to know if anyone had any insight to this issue??

Or does anyone know where I could get the newer larger fan intake cover?

Thank you

[Tim Bowman]

Hi Adam

I have the large cover if you decide to make yours a late G. Converted mine to an early G. I'll send it for cost of postage only.

Kind regards
Tim

[Kent Wiik]

Hi Adam,

The raised fan on LHS was a fighting compartment heather (FCH) introduced in sept/oct 1944 at the same time as the chin mantle.
Well into the end of the war the "old" mantle was placed on factory fresh Panthers but also the FCH, so "the textbook wayâ€

[Adam Zagorski]

Thank you Tim, I will PM you for details for the cover. I still am agonizing over a reference date but now I can better decide. And thank you Kent for confirming my understanding.

[Bill Riedel]

Tim,

If Adam won't/can't take it, I will

[Marcel de Groene]

Hi Bill,

You have a PM.

Regards,

Marcel