Panther G #4 build

[Ed Groenenberg]

During the builders fair at the Bovington Tank museum, I bought some extra parts for the Panther.

One of these parts were a set of brass torsion-bar covers, which conveniently can cover the screws
which keeps the sides to the base plate & aluminum bars. These covers are made by Mark Lawson.

They needed a little work, the studs were grind away, the holes drilled to 3mm and a countersunk
drill was used to make them a little wider.

Next step was to figure out the best position of these covers on the side.

Now, I was facing a little issue. How to get the all aligned when drilling 48 holes?
Easy, I made a template from ..... yes old office desk (13 mm HPL) which I still have a box of pieces.

The bolt in the middle fits into the hex top of the fastener.

Now it was jsut a repeating job of fixating the template, and use the drill to make a small dimple.
Nex was to use a 2,5mm drill to go though and the use a 3mm tap-iron to thread it.

And this is the end result on one side.

The keen observer will notice that the screws are sticking out, this is for the picture, I did not have the
proper length ones, these are on order (m3 x 6 csk)

[Didier Molard]

hello Ed, nice job,
But beware that covers are not mounted same way on each side of hull for production start panther G
on left side of hull, cap 1 &8 have the "triangle" of fixation pointing forward, while others pointing backward, and on right side all pointing backward except number 7
*As per panzertract 5-3 / panther G, page 5-152

[Ed Groenenberg]

hello Ed, nice job,
But beware that covers are not mounted same way on each side of hull for production start panther G
on left side of hull, cap 1 &8 have the "triangle" of fixation pointing forward, while others pointing backward, and on right side all pointing backward except number 7
*As per panzertract 5-3 / panther G, page 5-152

Hello Didier.

I know. When I would do it the right way, the panel would somewhat interfere with the bumperstop, and for ease of work
I choose to place them all the same.

[Malcolm.Plumb]

Hi Ed

I do like the idea of these cover plates?
Who actually sells them?

Malcolm

[mark lawson]

These covers are from my range of parts.

[Ed Groenenberg]

Not much done today, only the rigt hand side of the Pannier mounted.
I wanted to do both sides today, but the spray can with the red primer was empty and it was the last one I had.
Need a trip to the store tomorrow to get some more.

Anyway, this is the result so far....

I also got the HPL delivered today, this will be the bottom from which all the devices will find it's place.
Most space will be used for the LiFePo4 power pack, an arrangement plan is to be made.

The smaller piece will get holes and will be cut lengthwise, these 2 sections will fit over the torsion bar fasteners
and the bottom will be placed over these. Small fasteners will be used to connect them.
The method will be similar to the one I did for my Tiger 1.

[Ed Groenenberg]

Today I assembled the otthe Pannier too.
However, the backplate fits, but imho the angle of the other area seems to be reversed?
There is also a fairly big gap.

[Riny Koks]

Hi Ed,

My kit seems to have the same issue.
Alltough i dis not have it mounted the angles seems the wrong way..

Riny

[Matti Kurki]

Hi Ed,

My kit seems to have the same issue.
Alltough i dis not have it mounted the angles seems the wrong way..

Riny

Ed and Riny, my Panther #17 has the same.

Matti

[Malcolm.Plumb]

What's the solution guys?
Any ideas or just leave it.

[Brian Ostlind]

What's the solution guys?
Any ideas or just leave it.

If you want to fill the gap with body filler that’s the best solution.

[Malcolm.Plumb]

Do you have the same problem with yours Brian?
Not sure about mine as I haven't got to this part of the build yet.

[Chris Hall]

I haven’t seen the model since the Open Day, but might those gaps be something to do with the rear panniers ? Surely they would at least cover the gaps ….. otherwise, filler and paint cover a multitude of sins

[Brian Ostlind]

Do you have the same problem with yours Brian?
Not sure about mine as I haven't got to this part of the build yet.

Yes my rear plate angles are opposite but its not really bothering me lots of gaps everywhere will get filled.

[Ed Groenenberg]

I asked Kian about this and it is as per design.

I decided to use a file and removed about 0.5 mm from the angle, so it's now a bit more 'flat'
and the width of the space in the front and back is now the same.
The gap is still there, but much less, and when using putty to create welding effects, the gap will disappear.