My Mid PantherG #0035

[Tim Page]

Been doing a bit more work on theHL230 engine bay for my Panther.
The engine block has had a fair bit of work done to get the dimensions more to scale and also improved some of the details.

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I also started on the 2 tanks at the rear of the engine and have now started on the pipework around the engine.
The tanks are not quite correct and i need to adjust the scale a little as not 100% happy with them.

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I thought id give it a paint this evening to see how it looks and i think it will look pretty good when installed in the back of a Panther.

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This has been a pretty massive job and i think ive spent maybe 20 hours on CAD so far. Certain parts of this have been very challenging.
I really need to get the tanks correct as the next part of the project and can then start on the coolant pipes.

More updates to follow soon.

[Robert E Morey]

The Faux engine is a needed detail part on the Panthers. Looks really good!
Best regards,
Bob

[Steve Norris]

Hi Tim
Very impressive, I guess it would also fit the Kingtiger.
Regards
Steve

[Tim Page]

I have designed the 'tray' to simulate the engine bay to fit into my 2010 Panther G but, as you say, it could also be used in Jagdpanther and the King Tiger.
The tray would probably be different tho.
I know that there are some big differences in the rear deck layout for the newer Panther G and also for the Panther A.

Assuming that this project works out then i will have a go at doing an engine to fit my Tiger 1.
That looks to be a bit more challenging.

Cheers
Tim

[Tim Page]

Ive been having some dimension/layout problems with these tanks in the rear of the engine bay.
I was trying to get them looking as good as possible but also in the correct place so that the fillers were aligned with the coolant and fuel filler caps in the rear deck as well as the main air inlet for the engine.
My aim is to be able to remove these filler caps and then see whats inside.

This has proved to be harder than i had first thought and I think i must have done 8 or 9 test prints to date. I am very close now and think one last test print should get them as i wanted.

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As you can see, the alignment is not correct, so a bit more adjustment was required to the fuel filler.

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The fuel filler and coolant filler are now where i need them to be but the air inlet tube is still not quite right.
I have made one further adjustment and hope that this will be the last one.

The coolant pipes and the locking clips for the airboxes are now being printed so i should be able to post some more pix in the next day or so once the parts have been painted and fitted into place.

Cheers
Tim

[Steve Norris]

Hi Tim
That’s beginning to look very good.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Regards
Steve

[Tim Page]

Made some good progress in last 24 hours.
I am very pleased with the position, dimensions and layout of all the components and ive now got it assembled and painted.

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There are still 3 small brackets that i need to make for the fuel and coolant tanks but then it should be ready to be installed into the Panther.
I test fitted into the tank to see how it looks when installed and i think it looks pretty decent.

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I dont think i will be able to spend any more time on it for a few days now but should have a bit of free time next week to finish it off.

Cheers
Tim

[Tim Page]

Ok, I did have a bit of time and managed to get the brackets fitted so I now consider this project to be completed.
I dare say that i will do a few touch ups and then add some weathering etc to the engine compartment but the actual build is done.

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I am now tempted to imrove the coolant and fuel filler caps so that it looks more like this.

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That way i would be able to remove the caps to see the detail inside.

I am slowly realising that i will need to completely strip and repaint this panther at some point due to the sheer number of replacement parts that Ive fitted or plan to fit to it after completing it a few years ago. Not something that i really want to do tho.

Hey Ho - its all part of the hobby.

Cheers
Tim