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Hi Tim, that is one fantastic looking panther, I am impressed with your engineering skill, and the amount of detail you have put into the idler wheel; is the inner part of the wheel cast from metal?

regards
Jeff

Hi Jeff

Thank you for the kind comments. The one in the photos is not cast metal. It is simply fast-cast urethane. I sent my mold to model master, Bob Morey and he will be casting some in metal in the near future. I am too impatient so I assembled these using some castings I did here. The inner hub is somewhat protected as it's spokes sit just below the outer rim so should be OK for a while. (fingers crossed)

I will do another all-metal set in the future but atleast these get me rolling on early style idlers and I can move on to top-deck detailing.

Tim

HI everyone,

The second idler is completed. I opened up the holes a lot more on this one so it looks closer to the real thing (center rim is thinner). Looks much better. I'll open up the first one's slots to match.(will post pictures tomorrow or this weekend)

I'll be giving them their first run on Saturday. looking forward to it.

and now for something completely different: Does anyone have any info of 1SS camouflage in Normandy besides the large, outlined "spot" version seen on their Panthers rolling though Paris in Spring of '44?

Thanks

Tim

Hello Tim,

My Panther will eventually be one of Peipers Ardennes Early G's but in the course of researching and buying books I have come across loads of pictures of R02 an Ausf A which was a Command Tank in Normandy in July. 44 There are some good colour plates of this vehicle in Waldemar Trojca Panther Variants in Colour. These include Left side, Front, Rear and Top and I suppose can be best described as a blotchy pattern of Green and Red-Brown over Dunkelgelb. One has to bear in mind that at this time the tank crews were still supplied with spare paint so any Rembrandt within a Unit would have almost carte blanche to do what he liked and that the Allies had air superiority so probably more Green and Brown than Dunkelgelb
If you want more info please ask but I am reluctant to scan the colour plates because of copyright and if we want to see these books published the more sold the better.

Kind regards,

Will.

Will

Thanks so much for the reply and the reference. I look forward to seeing your Panther.

Here are the last photos on the "idler" subject. I promise Both are mounted and ready to go.


Left idler









Thanks to everyone for the moral support on this project.

ENDE


Tim

Very, very nice!

Has enjoyed following this thread very much and the final result is stunning.

Shall take a deeper look in my library but cant say I have seen any confirmed Normandy 1SS Ausf G other then the Leopard spotted ones you mentioned.
But I know they had their numbers painted in black on the turret mantle sides:

#113 looks to be an Ausf G judging by the lifting lug

Cheers
Kent

Hi Tim

I have just had your panther brought to my attention through my friend Dale. I must applaud the brilliant product you have produced. It just goes to show that with time, patience and knowledge what can result from our hobby. I am waiting on my Jadgpanther and hope that my model will in some way turn out like your panther. Good luck to you and a job well done.

Rick Jensen
AUSTRALIA

Rick

That's really kind of you, thanks for that. When I get around to completing the details on my rear deck and finally apply the camo/weathering, I'll post more progress pictures. Hopefully it comes out OK as I don't really have a lot of experience in that area. We'll see.

I can't wait to see yours and the other Jadgpanther projects.

Thanks again for the kind words.

All the best

Tim

Hello Tim

If the deck turns out to be like the rest of it.You should be very proud of it.Fantastic work.

Lee

Hey Tim, The job you did on your Panther is absolutly outstanding.I think the only chance my Jadgpanther will come out looking as good as yours is if you build it. Can't wait to see your next project.

Hey Tim, The job you did on your Panther is absolutly outstanding.I think the only chance my Jadgpanther will come out looking as good as yours is if you build it. Can't wait to see your next project.

Some news for those who wanted early idlers for their Panthers. I'm getting close to having a few sets completed. A friend is making the wheels on their new CNC machine. I will be making the white metal inserts. The design is mostly Tim Bowman's with some tweaking here and there to make the part easier to make. Shown with white metal "scrap" insert and with Tim's resin insert parts for reference.

Tim - you just "made my day"

Cheers
from a happy Kent

Oh just one question Bob.

Will the hub cap be with only 2 levels or with the accurate 3 as Tim made his?
Not that hard to do myself but everything done ok from start is welcome...

Cheers
Kent

Kent,
I just now noticed the hub cap has some issues. I will see if I can make some new ones. I may have to charge a little more for that. You're correct though better to fix it now.
Thanks Bob