Panther Progress!

simon_manning · Post by **simon_manning** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:11 pm

a build of this quality deserves reaction ,very, very realistic,with a backdrop you would be hard pressed to spot the difference from the real panther,great photos this end.

simon manning

Adrian Harris · Post by **Adrian Harris** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:32 pm

Stunning looking Panther

For all the rivet counting in which we get engrossed, it's still amazing to me that it's the little imperfections like paint chips and battle scars which so greatly enhance the realism of these models, and yours is a perfect example

Adrian

Jeffrey Goff · Post by **Jeffrey Goff** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:35 pm

absolutely fabulous attention to detail, even when photographed close up, it still look real, well done Bob
regards
Jeff

Allan Richards · Post by **Allan Richards** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:02 pm

This is one superb model. As has been said it could pass as a 1:1 scale Panther no problems. I do like the chips and shot marks - very well done and very realistic. All you have to do now is to scuff the track a little however the tank could have jus acquired a set of factory fresh tracks!

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:00 pm

Superb in every way! I love it!

I can't get over how much like metal your exposed armor and welds look. Outstanding all the way around.

kind regards
Tim

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:10 am

Guys, thanks for the kind remarks and nice feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed the pix as much as I did. I think the painting is the best part!

Hope eveyone is doing well, and having fun building your models.

Wish I had a king tiger coming my way. Oh well <sigh> I just have to be happy with the three tanks I have...

.
Bob

Fredrik Jorgensen · Post by **Fredrik Jorgensen** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:46 am

I have been watching this post almost every day and i have been stunned by the detailing everytime you have posted something Bob!!
Have you counted the hours of the project

.
The outcome of your hard work and skill is amazing, big congratulations.

Well i think you really need another one to add to your collection

so order the KT right away

.

I just hope my one comes up to the high standard as this one.
And thnx for the invaluable tips and trix, they will be applied on my battle worn KT.

Best regards
Freddie

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:23 am

Fredrik,
Thank you for your kind words and compliments. I don't know how many hours I have invested, but its been pretty steady for two years!

Would love to have a KT, and Jagpanther, and Stug, but budget won't allow for that.

Have to enjoy what I have - which is ok with me!

I look forward to seeing your KT build my friend,
kind regards,
Bob

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:19 pm

Some progress shots of the working escape hatch parts I've been making. This project has taken a really long time to design and finally make the parts. But its finally coming together. I had a little fun with the CNC making some of the small handle and link parts from brass. These would have been tedious to make by hand.

The hatch mechanism is not exactly like the original. The hatch hold open hook for example had to be repositioned to work with the hook on the back of the turret - but it will all look good once painted.

More to follow..

Allan Richards · Post by **Allan Richards** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:25 pm

That is some amazingly complicated milling with those dovetail slots. The parts are difficult 3D shapes to make. A superb little project, I am really impressed.

Kent Wiik · Post by **Kent Wiik** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:47 pm

Second to Allanâ€™s comments - stunning work!

Kent

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:50 am

Thanks for the feedback Allan and Kent. Actually the machining is pretty straight forward. The dovetail in the hatch is cut with a miniture 60 deg cutter. The dovetail on the moving blocks is done by tilting the vice to the proper angle. The most time consuming part was designing it so it all fit together and looked somewhat like the real thing- all from photos.

I wish I had a real Panther next door to measure!

Here are some photos of the finished hatch with all parts installed. The links were riveted to the handle with some brass rod.

I think it adds some nice detail to the turret. I may wait a while to paint it though!

Allan Richards · Post by **Allan Richards** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:58 pm

Robert,

That is an excellent project, I really like it. I wouldn't be bothered if it was not 100% scale because it really does look the part. I think that there is a little bit of art within modeling, and those that have got the artistic flair can produce really eye catching models just as you have done with your Panther.

simon_manning · Post by **simon_manning** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:15 pm

it must be a great buzz to make your own parts this good,magnifico!

simon manning.

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:17 pm

Hi Bob

First class work! Loader's hatch looks like the real deal.

Very nice.

Tim