Steves Panther A

[Steve Norris]

Over the last few weeks I've been busy fitting the electrics to the hull, motion,sound,smoke,working Notek headlight and taillight, independently opening drivers visor and gunners flap with mg LED.

Internal layout, the batteries are laid on their sides to give the gun recoil mechanism enough clearance (I am using the new recoil from the Elefant)

Hull top plate inplace

Regards
Steve

[mark lawson]

You certainly have the wiring very tidy, batteries on the side is a nice touch and will provide extra space.
Your tool brackets are nicely made adds a lot to the model I would be interested to see the MG working

[Steve Norris]

Hi Mark
The batteries had to go on their sides because the recoil unit which was designed for the Elefant is much longer than the standard item. There is a problem when the gun is fully elevated if the batteries are in their normal vertical position, the lower back end of the recoil mechanism can strike the top of the batterie. Laying the batteries overcomes this problem but the packaging of all the components within the tank is quite tight due to me adding a engine bay and radiator details.
If someone can post a tutorial on adding video to a post I will show the operation of the mg flap and drivers flap.
Regards
Steve

[mark lawson]

Upload to YouTube then post the link

[Steve Norris]

Ok, couldn't remember my google log on so have used Facebook instead.



Regards
Steve

[yves mouton]

Hello Steve,

I cant see you movie on fb?
I'am struggeling now with my new graupner mz 24 hott

regards Yves

[Steve Norris]

Front mud guard detailed and fitted, just need to fit the other side and add a couple of mounting bolts to the hull side plates.

Regards
Steve

[mark lawson]

i like the modifications you have done with the front mudguards, very nice work.

[Steve Norris]

A bit of a milestone reached tonight as the hull is now complete with the exception of the final paintwork.

Overall view of the hull

I spent yesterday increasing the ride height of the hull as I thought it sat a little low, now looks much better

Rear deck showing engine installation

I have modified the hatch hinges so they now lift vertically before they are able to swing into the open position

I have also added a detent to hold the hatches when they are fully opened

A nice shot of the gun travel lock and Mark Lawson,s excellent ventilator

Regards
Steve

[yves mouton]

Nice work Steve,
Best regards Yves

[Robert E Morey]

Excellent work Steve! Those pivoting hatches are awesome! Is any of the pivoting hinge part of the kit? Love the latches/stops as well. Beauty all around.
Bob

[Steve Norris]

Hi Bob
I have used the supplied kit parts, the only bits I altered were the steel lift bars which had small brass pins added to act as guides and the brass guide tubes that the lift bars slide through which had guide slots cut in each to allow the hatches to close in the correct position. To keep the hatches in the open position I added small detents to the brass tubes that the brass pins drop into.
Regards
Steve

[Steve Norris]

My attention has now turned to the turret, basic assembly has been carried out with no major issues to report. A few of the csk screw holes in the side plates needed a little pulling but nothing major.
It is important at this basic assembly stage to get the turret sides,front and rear to be flush with the bottom of the turret base plate, any overhang will run the risk of fouling the engine deck forward cooling fan intakes or the engine bay hatch itself.

The basic turret inplace on the turret ring. Notice the minimal clearance at the turret base, don't let the side plates overhang the turret base or they will foul the engine deck.

I have extended the upper section of the mantlet base a little to prevent a gap showing between the base and the mantlet at full gun depression

The mantlet at full depression joined to the base, the filler still needs sanding down to the correct profile but I think you can see what's been done.

Regards
Steve

[Vince Cutajar]

Hi Steve

I have been quietly following your progress and picking up tips. What filler are you using? Is it car body filler or JBWeld?

Vince

[Steve Norris]

Hi Vince
Car body filler
Regard
Steve