Mick's Panther A

[michael hilton]

Thank you Stephen, once the old girl is the right way up, so to speak, that's how she stays. I am jumping the gun and fitting the suspension next, it just seems more convenient.
It is slow but enjoyable progress....

[Peter Silcock]

Michael I see you're using Halfords etch primer. I could not get good results with it and now use UPOL acid etch primer which I found much better. Don't buy it from Halfords though -last time I looked it was "reduced" from £20 to £16. Its much cheaper on Ebay.

[michael hilton]

Hello Peter, I used Upol Acid Etch Primer on other builds, I must have gone cheap As usual this is an 'out of the box' build, less confusing .....I do paint as I build, using 400ml cans, again never quite got around to purchasing an airbrush......Mick.

[Dennis Jones]

i use etch primer from local car paint suppliers about £11 for a 1 litre can enough to probably do 3 panthers. The price of the primer in the cans seems to have gone through the roof lately.

Dennis.

[Stephen White]

"never quite got around to purchasing an airbrush......Mick"

I had a look at the Knowledge Base Topic on airbrushes and found it needed updating and overhauling. I've posted a link to the new topic. Hope it's helpful, even if it's not the way you want to go.

It's great so see your build unfolding and to show what can be done with an Armortek build out of the box. It's too easy for those of us who are inveterate tinkerers to spend a lifetime bodging bits and torturing them into submission, where there is real pleasure in just building the kit as Mark intended. Fine stuff, thanks for posting.

Stephen

[michael hilton]

Thank you Stephen, the pleasure and satisfaction is all in the eye of the beholder I will stick to my 'rattle cans' for the time being however, never say never....Mick

[michael hilton]

Hello everyone, good morning, not a bad day weather-wise....fitted the first of the suspension units....a little filing needed, nothing to write home about. Most shims used five.....three and four mainly. I think I was trying to line all the axles up. Set at forty-five degrees. You will not need so many shims, I'm just being pedantic....

[michael hilton]

Hello everyone, completed the suspension units, set at 45 degrees approx. Used a long handle Allen Key for extra tension. Shims used between four and five....will see how the lady 'sits'. Now transferred the hull into the garage, did 'she' not like that, much colder in there....I will be able to construct the decks/turret etc,. in the bedroom.....Mick

[michael hilton]

Cracking build, going well. I am hoping to adapt the rear and front decks for removal, to enable easy access to the control modules....Mick

[Phil Woollard]

Hi Mick, looking good, I have used shims on all the arms, winding the double torsion bar tapper block lock in and out a few times helps seat the torsion bar ground ends, and keeps the angle nice and regular, regards Phil.

[michael hilton]

Hello Phil, I probably used more shims than necessary. the Panther is a comfortable build, most enjoyable....hoping the weather warms up, it's perishing cold in the garage....Mick

[Phil Woollard]

Where's the guy that's eighty? All I can see is a couple of middle aged men! Nice birthday present that, I have a flight in a tigermoth booked at Bodmin air field for mine regards Phil

[michael hilton]

Thanks Phil, so much to do....so little time....enjoy your flight.

[michael hilton]

With the improving weather, more time in the garage. Fitted most of the rear plate and top deck detail.....the decks were a good easy fit, pleased with that.....Mick

[michael hilton]

Made a start with the wheel studs.....my finger ends are shredded....thanks Mark