So I just bought(nothere yet)a Tammy Panther kit from a member here (Thanks Tim!!!), and as many of you already know, he graciously included many extras. What I was wondering is if the kit needs a track tensioner? I have bought several sets from DT for my KT and Tiger and I love how much better they are than stock. I will be using metal tracks for my new kitty and was wondering where I could score a track tension system or should I just stick with the factory offering? Many Thanks!

I have the Tamiya Panther G as well. The track tensioner works like the one in the Tamiya Tiger I, which I also have. For me it would be enough, but I do like the idea of having a sprung track tensioner like the design DT has created.

I've had no issues with mine! The hentec actually has some issues with keeping tension, so upgradings not always the best idea.<br type="_moz" />

Not having the kit in front of me I cannot tell, but do you guys think the DT system for the Tiger would work in the Panther?

Mine has worked fine for over 3 years with no issues. as always a DT tensioning system is always the best way to go but not a nessesity on this kit and i have Impact metal tracks which are quite heavy.

Double check with Daryl but I believe he said it would, along with using the TI idler too for it's made of steel and much stronger than the stock Panther idler.



~ Jeff

To be perfectly honest thought your money is better spent else where. The dt system isn't cheap!

Performance doesn't come cheap.

The Panther idler is made of cheap metal and when it breaks you'll wish you had spent the money PLUS using Daryl's system. I don't battle on a consistent basis so mine does not have them... the battlefield at Danville is the testing ground!




~ Jeff

Thanks guys, I will shoot Daryl an email. I know the mitrosal name is mud around here, but I liked the metal mantlet and final drive covers they have. Any thoughts?

Artistic Hobbies and the Danville Museum both have some metal drive covers you should check out and I have one IMPACT metal mantlet you can have for free, just PM me your snail mail addy and it's yours!



~ Jeff

Nothing to add regarding the idler, but Congrats on the kit. I went to jump on Tim's deal, but you beat me to it. I'm happy you ended up with it, I would be really stretching my luck buying it after the Tammy IV, but it was too sweet on a deal to pass up.

Take lots of pics.

Thanks Jeff!!! Ausf, I broke the bank on the panther considering I just bought his pz4, but like you said, he made an offer I couldn't refuse! <div>
</div>

Jeff, I checked those two places out and I couldn't find the covers. Did I miss them somehow? I checked eto too....

The metal mantlet is too heavy. It will wear out your elevation gears prematurely so i would avoid it. If you do need to sleeve the barrel get the DT sleeve. It works fine.

These?

http://www.artistichobbies.com/prodd...?prod=TAM84222




Just call me Mr Yellow Pages.


AND... that metal mantlet is heavy (of course it is, it's made of metal) so DT's sleeve is a better alternative. I am using one on my Panther and not the metal mantlet so let me know if you still want to go that way and I'll send it!



~ Jeff

I would still like the mantlet. I will more than likely go to a servo eventually or beef up the gears and I have the sleeve to fall back on. Did you get my PM? Also, I think those covers are for the Sherman...

Oh! (Ha ha... yeah what a brain fart!) I have had the Sherman on my mind all week (with the M36B1 build) and I have totally lost my mind now. I'll send you the mantlet and you can keep it even if you don't use it.

Daryl USED to print those covers for the Panther (I have them on my Panther) and they look nice so I guess he's the one to contact for it all.



I just bought my second HL Sherman today and it will be the Early M4A3 Low Bustle turret that Nick makes. It's gonna look cool as I wait for the metal gearbox from Hobby Raw fpr the M36B1.

The stock mantlet can be made to look good:

This is DT's sleeve.


Still working on it:







Hmmm... thought I had a finished pic of the Panther mantlet, but next time I will.



~ Jeff

I really like the late wheels on the Panther. if i didnt have so much invested in my original wheels I would go for those.<div>When i first built my kit i did not know you couldnt add bearings afterward with out a lot of trouble. So I bought ann entire new set of Tamiya wheels and added bearings in them. Now i have a complete set of both just in case.</div>

Looking good Jeff. Btw, DT just responded and the tiger tensioning system will work on the panther. He said a little clearance on the speaker box is needed.

Yup... that's exactly what he told me but I won't be battling mine so I didn't go for one.

Well, getting ready to run to the PO!



~ Jeff