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Last few days I did put together the turret. After fitting the sides and bolted them down using the connection blocks,
there was an ugly gap at both sides near the end when placing the turret plate. I solved this by using an electric
sander to change the rounding of the 2 side corners of the turret base. Now the gap is almost gone.

I also did my first attempt on reproducing a weld using Milliputty and the end of an Allan key. Turrent mockup

A rather rainy day today, so spent time in the garage working on the Panther.
Some work done on the main hull, basically filling the holes of the screws and sanding them flat.
Also a lot of work on the turret. a little bit more filing/sanding on the 2 corners on the base plate was
needed to reduce the gap a little more. All the bolts have been loctite, filled and smoothed.
The escape hatch has been mounted too, and started to make the welds on the turret with
the leftover Milliput putty.

Today a bit more work on making welds on the turret, as well as some painting done. The turret nears it's completion. I'm not sure if the crane attachment points needs welds too,

Ed Groenenberg wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 03, 2023 8:53 pm

I'm not sure if the crane attachment points needs welds too,

As far as I know: yes!

Hello Marco.

Ok, done

Last few days some work has been done.
Welds have been made around the crane attachment points,
The turret has been painted and wleds at the back have been applied.

I also have installed half of the swing arms & torsion bars.
To mark the place where the screw would touch the torsion bar (at the other end of the axle),
I would tighten it so it would leava a mark on the bar.
A mark was visible, but it was either on the proper place, or only at the side.
I solved this my taking a hexagonal spacer with a treaded end, machine a smal tip on it
and then apply a minute amount of paint on it. Then it was inserted in the hole until it would touch
the torsion bar. When it was removed, the touched spot was then filed away to make a flat surface.
Also time was spent to paint the turret. I'm planning to use the same type of camo which is also on my Tiger 1.
For a number, any suggestions?
Tomorrow I hope to recieve more cans of spray paint, I used my last one on the turret

Today was a fun day.

I spend some time working on the Panther, basically fitting the covers for the torsion bars.
I did not install them when I installed the tension bars which fit into the axles of the wheels, partly
because I wanted to be sure the swing arms were having the proper angle.

Next, the 'lazy Susan' was installed for the turret on the top cover base, and while I was working onm that,
there was a knock on the door.....

Kees van Rijswijk & Riny Koks came to visit me, to try out their Pak 43 & Flak 88.
Yes, with blank firing devices, nicely adapted to use 6mm blank firing cartridges (the only ones which are
legal to buy ad use here in NL).
Video's will appear for sure sooner or alter on the forum.
Welds on chassis.

Hi Ed,

We had a lot of fun today at your place. Firing our guns like little kids playing with there toys. Many thanks for your hospitality.

Today I was a little bored, so I installed the gun elevation kit.
For the test, I used a 12V battery. It was almost drained, so some movement is a bit sluggish.
It does like a little bit to a Dalek, 'exterminate, exterminate, exterminate!'

Is the elevation mechanism operated by a linear actuator?
Going up looks OK but coming down it seems that the weight of the barrel is making it come down fast. Have you thought of counterbalancing the barrel?

Vince

Vince Cutajar wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 09, 2023 6:26 pm

Is the elevation mechanism operated by a linear actuator?
Going up looks OK but coming down it seems that the weight of the barrel is making it come down fast. Have you thought of counterbalancing the barrel?

Vince

Hello Vince.

Yes, it is using Armortek's linear motor. I did not use the control box here, I do not know if that will have any
effect on it's behavior.
Using a counter balance is indeed a possebility, a proper chunk of lead should do it.

The last few days a few hours were spend on completing the turret.
The loops were installed, as well as the periscopes and their protective covers. and the crew grip
bar was installed too, but not on the top cover.
For that, I drilled 2 holes in the turret back plate, as it looks a little more authentic.
And at last, the recoil servo and bracket were mounted.

A useful day today
A few weeks ago I ordered some HPL which was going to be the inner base for all the stuff (battery pack,
sound unit, receiver etc. It consists of 2 strips of 10mm material, combined with a 6mm top.
The 2 strips have holes and thus rest on the bars, and a little bit material is removed on the
sides where the nuts are for the bump stops. I also put together the back section of the deck, but I'm a little puzzled about the 2 holes ( and bolts)
and what their use is. Is a little connection plate missing,, as the bracket where the rectangle air intakes
are resting on (as well as the 2 halves, there is a gap where these 2 bolts would go.
Lastly, the tracks have been de-greased and will be painted matte black with Rustoleum. The tracks with a real Panther track link next to them.

Just a little job today, painting the tracks.
Last weekend I degreased the tracks by placing them a a solution of NaOH and water.
The the tracks were rinsed a few times before letting them dry.

I used Matt Black Rust-Oleum, a excellent quality paint, although not particular cheap.
3 cans were bought, but 1.5 was needed to give it a good coat on both sides.