My Mid PantherG #0035

[Tim Page]

Hi all, I got my Panther #0035 just before Christmas, and although the prevous owner had done a great job, i was wanting to mod this like i have done with a good number of 1/16 RC tanks to date.

The tank is being modelled as a July 1944 Daimler-Benz build belonging to 105 Panzer Brigade.

The Mantlet had already been reprofiled to remove the chin, so i decided to continue with this theme and back date it a bit more by removing the roof IR & compass mounts, Crew heater, brush guard on the mantlet and then to add Zimmerit which was a first for me in any scale.
Along the way, I added loads of detail including weld lines and fitted a lot of after market parts from Armorpax & Steve Winston.

I had a visit from Steve Norris & RivetCounter back in May on the way home from Dortmund and they pointed out a number of additional items that i should tackle. The main points were that the tool racks were a bit too small and theth the top of the glacis plat needed to be re-profiled. I have now remade all of the tool racks out of soldered brass, and have replaced all the tools with home made or Armorpax items. These have all been done to the best of my ability, and i really take my hat off to the quality of some of the work i see in this forum which is truly stunning. I have, to be honest been a bit shy of posting photos up here, but am now getting to a point that i am happy to share on here.

Anyway, here are a few pix of the tank before, during and as it stands now in primer, waiting for painting.

I would just like to say that I am a huge fan of the Armortek Panther, which straight from the box builds a superb 1/6 tank.
Now, I am really looking forward to completing this build and bringing it along to the Open Day.

I hope to add a few more photos over the next couple of weeks.

Cheers
Tim

[mark lawson]

Tim, asked me if I could tidy up his muzzle break a little and add a bit of detail, hopefully I have made a reasonable job of the muzzle break, the modification involved adding the compression ring in the middle complete with the C spanner nut and also the muzzle break lock on the top the entire muzzle break has been hollowed out which reminded me of my 2 stroke tuning days with 350 LC, I also added the rear locking collar complete with both types of C spanner cuts lastly the muzzle break was re-profiled to give a more realistic representation of the Panther muzzle break, is the final job to museum standards, no but then Tim only asked for me to clean it up a little

[Tim Page]

Thanks Mark, that looks spot on to me and a huge improvement over the standard part. The Dremel work was possible, but could not have really improved it myself as i dont have a lathe or milling machine.

Cheers

Tim

[mark lawson]

I will be on with the other parts as soon as I can

[Steve Norris]

Hi Tim
The Panther is looking great, looking forward to seeing it in October.
I agree with you, the Panther is the best tank made by Armortek and a A model would be a great addition to the range.
Mark has done a great job with the muzzle.
Regards
Steve

[Tim Page]

Hi all, a quick update today.
My last tool rack is done and i've just added the tab for the ball mg plug. I am not going to add the chain or plug, but felt that the tab really should be added.
Big thanks to Kent for the info he posted giving dimensions etc.
I actually made mine using an M3 threaded bar, with an M3 nyloc nut that i had modified to look like a castle nut with my Dremel.
The whole lot bolted up tight from underneath.

Cheers
Tim

[William Gardeniers]

Looking great your Panther nice details and something different with the Zimmerrit.


Regards William

[Tim Page]

Have been on holiday in Czech Republic for 2 weeks, but thought I should try and upload a quick update if possible using some local wifi.

here are two more pix of Marks muzzle brake primed and fitted.

can't wait to get back to the UK to continue painting.

cheers

Tim

[Steve Norris]

Nice looking muzzle you've got there, where did that come from ?
Regards
Steve

[Tim Page]

Steve, RivetCounter modified the original part for me
there are some more pix from him further up the thread.

Tim

[Steve Norris]

Rivet has done a great job there. Don't know why I didn't see the previous post.
Regards
Steve

[Tim Page]

Been pretty busy painting over the last few weeks, but tha camo is now all done.
I am pretty pleased with how it is turning out.
Next job is to paint the Tetra and then apply the turret mumbers and Balkenkreuz to the left & right hull sides and the rear left stowage box. All will be applied in the correct Daimler Benz locations.

The next really big job is boing to be the weatherng which i guess will take a few weeks.

Cheers
Tim

[Tim Page]

Hi all, Well overdue for another update , but to be honest ive almost been too busy getting it into a decent shape ready for October 10th.

The tracks are now back on and all the electrics hooked up. Mark (Rivet) popped down on Saturday and we got it up and running and after a few hickups got the Benedini sounds working.

I have also painted the tanks markings using some borrowed templates (thanks Lee).
Anyway, she is now looking the part with a set of Daimler Benz positioned markings and 312 turret numbers.

I have got one issue to sort out still as the turret traverse seems to be very slow and sounds like it is not aligned or scraping on something. I did remove the traverse motor and drive ring during the overhaul so need to recheck everything this weekend.

In the mean time i am continuing with the never ending weathering. I have only done about 1/3 of the top hull with some chips and general worn paintwork. Ive not done anything to the lower hull, wheels and tracks yet. I am certain that the weathering will not be close to 100% for October 10th but I am hoping it should still look good.

Cheers
Tim

[Stephen White]

Lovely job Tim, she's looking good already. Señor Mig would be proud of you. Took me four days just to do an exhaust, it's just one of those things like malt whisky that can't be rushed.

Looking forward to seeing her in Oct.

Stephen

[Tim Page]

I took my Panther out for its first run today .
Up until now ive only tested it the garage.
Anyway, it was dry and sunny so i went out for a play on some nearby grass.
I installed my new tank commander in his Marsh pattern uniform and M43 cap. You probably cant see from these photos but the cap and uniform have had quite a lot of work to make them look lived in rather that the fresh out of a Dragon uniform box.
Anyway, i think he looks better now and is in a pretty decent and stable pose in the cupola.

I did also take a short video from my iphone which i have just uploaded to Youtube
It is nothing special as im trying to operate it and video at the same time.



Right, back to the weathering again.....

Cheers

Tim