Are the FOV "enthusiast" editions less weathered?

[Law]

I picked up the Grant and the Panther recently, and I have to say, neither one of them seems to have received NEARLY as much weathering as the older FOV enthusiast models.

The camo is nicely done, and a lot of detail is brought out, so I'm overall happy with them.

But there's no mud, no rust, no grime, nothing caked on, not as much warped or bent or busted.

I wonder if this signals a new trend, and if it was done for any reason other than to save some $. I hope it stops, because while I still really like these items, part of the appeal for me was having something that looked so expensive but was only $30-35 (depending on where you shop)

Anyone else noticing this? Or did I just pull some duds?

Law

[DomiUK]

My first impression on seeing the Panther was the weathering was not up to the level of the first releases.

[ltcbj]

The photo in the FOV Panther post doesn't look weathered at all....

[Mirage]

Yeah i have to agree on this. I remember posting in some thread asking if it was really the enthusiasts version because it didnt look weathered at all.I hope the new german halftrack is weathered.

[Law]

Yeah, just to be clear -- I own the Panther. Those pics are accurate -- this definitely has less weathering -- almost none.

It does, however, have detached gear, unlike the Grant, which has the stuff molded on. And on the Grant, it's not done all that well.... they are somewhat blobby and not painted that well. It's a real shame.

Law

[Jagdplastic]

The entire upper hull and turret are less weathered than many of the earlier Enthusiast editions, but the lower hull, rear armor plate (forgot what you call it), lower frontal armor, and, especially, the road wheels are weathered rather well. I think that you're going to like this one though, despite the lack of weathering. Both the entire upper hull, turret minus the cupola, mantlet, and gun barrel are metal. The side skirts are molded into the upper hull - its one piece. The lower hull, running gear, and rear armor are plastic. Personally, I don't like the high degree of weathering that, for example, the FOV Panzer IV H has.

[Jagdplastic]

Sorry, I left out that I'm referring to the FOV Panther and not the Grant in my earlier post.