Armortek 1/6th Scale All Metal Kits

1/6th Scale Military Kits

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History A heavy tank destroyer design based on the 88 mm Pak 43 gun and the Panther tank chassis was ordered in late 1942 as design SdKfz 173. Production started in early 1944; at the same time Hitler specified the Jagdpanther ("hunting panther") name. To accommodate the gun, the sides of the Panther tank were extended up to provide a roomy interior, while maintaining a very low profile. Both the Panther Ausf. G and Jagdpanther had side armor of increased elevation to enhance this effect even further and to harmonize production. It was armed with an anti-tank version of the same long-barreled 88 mm gun as the Tiger II and a 7.92 mm MG-34 machine gun in the front glacis plate for local defence.		The Jagdpanther had a good power-to-weight ratio and a powerful main gun, enabling it to destroy any type of Allied tank. The Jagdpanther's low profile meant that it was easily camouflaged. Because it was based on the existing Panther chassis, the vehicle did not suffer too many mechanical problems. It was manned by a crew of 5, a driver, radio-operator, commander, gunner, and a loader. Two variants can be distinguished, one with a welded steel band around the main gun mantlet and the other with a bolted-on band. The versions with the bolted-on ring were equipped with Pak 43/4 gun. Early Jagdpanthers had a monobloc gun barrel and two vision openings for the driver, whereas late versions had only one.

The Model Including the gun barrel the model is 1645mm (64”) long – some 4 inches longer than our Tiger I. Of course you can count on the model being thoroughly researched and impeccably designed to accurately recreate all the salient features of the original. As per our standard practice the kit will be built primarily of steel and aluminium and features scale armour thickness which replicates the complex angles and interlocking nature that was such a feature of the full size vehicle. The Jagdpanther Sdkfz 173 shares the same motor arrangement as our Tiger I, i.e. 2 x 24v, 280w electric motors that deliver 4.7Nm of torque. This provides a top speed of circa 5mph and enables the model to climb 50 per cent gradients, just like the real tank. A micro-processor controlled engine sound unit is available as is a smoke generator. We can also provide a blank firer that discharges 6 rounds per magazine. This provides a legal, safe and inexpensive, method of providing a big bang worthy of such a magnificent model.		The kit comes fully-machined for bolt-together assembly. It is designed for those with limited engineering experience and may be assembled in under 100 hours. With each new subject we manufacture we look to surpass the quality of our previous offerings. Historically our products have set new quality standards for the industry. Now, with the majority of components manufactured in the UK, we have set the bar ever higher making the Armortek Jagdpanther Sdkfz 173 a very special model indeed. Our continued aim is to offer the highest quality models at the best possible prices.