Panther Cupola Detailing and Update

[Mike Stannard (toyrific)]

While researching and making the masters for the cupola I found out there are two types of periscope mounting's used on the Panther cupola. There may be more. To date I have only a few orders for the cupola, it is not economical for me to make both types. The Type 1 below will be very time consuming to make and not easy to fit into the small space available. I have decided to use the Type 2 mounting's. Once I have a prototype made I will post pictures here.

The Type I mounting's were used on the Panther Ausf A and G, at some time during the production of the Ausf G the mounting's were changed to the Type 2, I do not know when.

Type 1 Mounting's

Prototype of Type 1 mounting.


Type 2 Mounting's. If anyone has more detailed pictures or know how these worked, I would appreciate the help.


Panther cupola master with white metal production castings.





Panther white metal parts already made.


If anyone has strong views on which mounting's I should make please let me know.

Regards
Mike

[Kent Wiik]

Hi Mike,

Good to see you now have begun with other items then the Tiger bins...

As most of the 1:6th Panthers out there are Ausf G I advise you to go with the Type 2.
As the first Type 2 photo seen above is from the Littlefield Panther Ausf A the Type 2 is also ok for the A-Panther.

The cupola looks stunning!
Keep up the good work.

Cheers
Kent

[Tim Bowman]

Hi Mike

I don't know how far along you are in your bracket development but as you probably already know, I would vote for the second, boxier looking bracket. I believe it was used in both Ausf A and Ausf G Panthers.

This video was posted before and it's sort of hard to see but the commanders periscope brackets appear to be the boxier type. 3:27-3:51 in the video.



Outstanding work as always Mike
Regards
Tim

[Bill Lambert]

Hi Mike, When do you expect to be able to complete and ship the Panther Cupola?
Bill[/b]

[Mike Stannard (toyrific)]

The new design periscope mounts will be included in my next photo-etch order which will be placed this month and should be delivered to me sometime in January, estimate cupolas finished sometime in February.

Mike

[Bill Lambert]

Hi Mike, after seeing your Tiger cupola, I can barely wait for the Panther Cupola! Are you still going to have it ready this January? Let us know!
Bill

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Hi Mike,

Coming to this thread a little late.

Your original photos for the Type 2 Periscope mount appears to show a simple cam-type latch pushing each periscope upwards into the housing.

IMHO benefit is that it would be simpler to manufacture, more robust in action, less likely to snag the commander's clothing and the 'scopes could be replaced while wearing thick gloves, as mechanism is less fiddly.

Got a price in mind yet?

cheers, Fabrice

[Mike Stannard (toyrific)]

Bill

Working on photo-etched periscope mountings, unlikely to complete by end of month as photo-etched parts can take up to 6 weeks to get in stock.

Fabrice

I agree with you the early type periscope mounts appear to be simpler, but in fact they would be harder to make due to the size of the holding strap, white metal is not strong enough for the job with correct scaled thickness, and photo etching the parts again are to weak in this size and no space to fit them securely between the cupola body and the periscope housings. The later box type mounting can be assembled before fitting to the cupola and then secured as a complete unit. However my problem is figuring out how the real one worked and how to make it work in 6 scale. Clear close up pictures of the workings are not available that I can find. Hence the big delay on these. If you have any close up pictures of the mountings showing the interior and working detail it would be a great help. Otherwise I am just going to make them work so they look correct.

Regards
Mike