Panther Cupola Interior Insert

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:12 pm

Hi everyone,

I have just a few things left to complete on the Panther. One of them is this project I started a long time ago but put on the back burner. Like my other parts, I will build a rapid proto, give it the cast-metal texturing and it is then simply inserted from inside Armortek's existing cupola. I will machine away the periscope openings on the existing cupola to accommodate the scale periscopes that are pushed through from the inside, along with the whole assembly.

The cupola periscopes will be done separately the same way, cast in clear and then painted. Although not as spectacular as Mike Stannard's awesome cupola and scopes, it should give a nice representation of the interior.

regards
Tim

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:52 pm

This will be amazing when you get it done. Great detail and fantastic design work!

Allan Richards · Post by **Allan Richards** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:42 pm

Thats a superb piece of work and should appeal to quite a few people.

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:19 pm

Thanks Bob and Allan

Here's the parts fresh out of the 3D printer. Clean up and cast-metal texturing of the interior is next. Much of the detail does not show up in these photos because of the material color. I'll take some more after they have primer on them.

Tim

cedric meyer · Post by **cedric meyer** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:05 pm

This is amazing!!! Tim you are harry potter!! Tim, May i have one?

ced

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:00 pm

Excellant workmanship Tim . Will this suit the new King tiger cupola ??where they the same as the Panther on the real Tank . Can we have a photo of how your 3D printer works this sounds like a great Machine ... Dale

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:14 pm

Thanks Cedric and Dale

"Harry Potter"

That's funny.

Here it is shown inserted into the cupola. I still have to open the periscope holes on the Armortek part to accommodate the new scopes. So they are absent in these pics.

Dale, unfortunately the Tiger II has the mid and lateTiger I cupola (if I'm not mistaken). There's a very good chance I will be making this part for that one as well. however, for your level of detailing, you may prefer Mike Stannard's "ultimate cupola".

The printer looks like a cross between a refrigerator and a regular printing machine. It is very handy indeed and I wish I was just doing this stuff full time!

regards
Tim

Kent Wiik · Post by **Kent Wiik** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:26 pm

Wow Tim that is excellent!

When I saw the cupola I thought 1:1 - Honest!

Yes the Panther cupola is not the same as the Mid/Late Tiger I and Tiger II
Tiger I and II had the same one on the other hand.

Tim may I be a rivetcounter and give a tiny input please?
Hope you have not push the button yet as the real periscope looked a bit different...
The inner side was tilted as you have nicely done on the outher side.
Please look at Mikeâ€™s type 2.
Nit picking yes I know

but I take a chance to see an accurate made one for everyone to enjoy.

Keep up the good work my friend
You are a big asset to our hobby.

Kent

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:55 pm

Thanks Kent

Input is always a good thing. I messed up somewhere on the overall angle of the periscope because even though there is the angle as you show in the type two, it appears to be parallel with the bracket inside the cupola when installed. You can see this on the edge of the prism housing on the periscope on the right.

I will double check things before I mold the periscopes. However, I may have to submit to "close enough for me" this time because visually, you will not pick the difference up with the periscopes installed.

Thanks again

Tim

Kent Wiik · Post by **Kent Wiik** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:12 pm

Yes it is easy to miss this my friend and no big deal

But if it can easily be fixed so why not.

Here is a comparison real thing - drawing.

Cheers
Kent

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:26 am

Wow Tim, that insert is a work of art. Fantastic. How can I get me one?

Bob

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:43 pm

I textured and primed the insert which makes the part easier to see in the photos. I'll be machining the periscope openings this weekend. This is where a little planning would have come in handy. My periscope guards are bonded in place so I have to machine from the bottom as opposed to the top. this would have been much simpler to do a long time ago.

The small bolts seen in the photo of the real thing above will be added to the cast part before final painting.

I'm rethinking the periscope assemblies so they are on hold for the moment.

regards
Tim

simon_manning · Post by **simon_manning** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:59 pm

fancy making some more,too nice to keep to yourself,spread a bit of happiness worldwide.simon manning

colin fairweather · Post by **colin fairweather** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:40 pm

looks fantastic well done

now all you have to do is get working on the tiger 1 / 2 inners hint hint

colin

Allan Richards · Post by **Allan Richards** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:48 pm

Tim,

This is an excellent piece of work and as has been said already one would swear that you cupola is real. You do hearten me though when you mentioned that with a little fore thought you would not have bonded on the guards. The number of times I found myself in a similar position when I was making my Tiger!! At least I'm not alone in dong this