Flakpanther/Flakvierling/2cmquad variant "A"

[Phil Woollard]

The new Panther "A" chassis build Flakvierling variant, fairly straight forward build from the box, just remember to keep everything square, build on a flat surface,I'm using a heavy duty handdraulic lift table, couldn't do without it now. Don't tighten chassis bolts until it's all fitting together correctly.
Everything is etch primed, I am using a new brand of etch with a very large fan nozzle, which really covers a huge area, making the painting of the large parts a breeze.(a very achievable 200mm fan wet edge).

As usual I just can't help myself and have started work on the pointy bits, I needed to get the quad rotation drive system out of the way, I have kept it simple and robust. I have used a large high torque 360* metal geared servo for the rotating mech. An all metal "lazy Susan" for the all important thrust bearing which takes all the weight with ease (you could sit on that bearing and spin yourself around) and a simple dog coupling with a sacrificial male piece as a servo saver.

[Phil Markham]

Hi Phil,

Another fascinating build to watch, love it Who do you get your Lazy Susan bearings from?

Regards
Phil

[Phil Woollard]

Hi Phil, thanks I hope it will be fascinating if a little different, Ebay for the lazy Susan. Some are very similar to the kit turret bearings, I do have a 100mm of that type but the square section that I used looked more in keeping. Regards Phil

[Phil Woollard]

Some run of the mill build photos, all very important though!

[Phil Woollard]

Some more progress, weld beads, weld beads, weld beads and the zimmerit applied to the hard to reach areas.
I have made a start on those beautiful wheels but I must stay focused and get the awkward aspects of the detailing out the way first.

[Phil Woollard]

A few reference photos of smaller scale variants but very nice examples all the same.

[simon_manning]

the middle photo is superb, 1/35 i should think, an interesting vehicle, regards simon manning.

[Phil Woollard]

Hi Simon, now I like the last one, if it was my decision the Flakpanther or any of my vehicles would be a mono tone colour scheme, reason...the different camouflage schemes were intensely researched and applied to different theatres of war.For example a 3 colour scheme in 1/1 works fine and breaks up the out line of the vehicle making it more difficult to see and identify, but 1/6 in my opinion it's more contentious, ( it generally looks more like a model) a mono colour scheme works well in our scale in most conditions, (huge blades of grass and twigs the size of your arm not so prominent) and applying shade and weathering enhances this no end.

The Flakpanther customer would like a tri colour scheme similar to the first photo, so that is what he shall get! I can't wait to apply the pencil lines and fill in with the red/brown and green, now do I paint over the tools and fittings as would have been done in the field, or remove them, paint and replace? Decision decisions

[Phil Woollard]

Quick update, I am busy building an extension at home so only build tanks when the weather is not so good (that also includes when it's to warm lol).
The wheels, a brief look at alignment while it's a turtle.
I have weathered the pannier floors, hull sides and the hull floor, these can easily be overlooked as you can't really see them when it's the right way up. The dark shading of the hull and panniers create a good contrast and so create the illusion of the size and weight of the real thing.
A top coat to the wheels, then epoxy resin adhesive to fix the tyres and she can be flipped over before it gets to heavy.

[Phil Woollard]

A good suspension reference height example, take into consideration there is no turret , so it will ride a tad lower when that extra weight is involved.

Phil.

[Phil Woollard]

Those lovely wheels in place with tyres fitted, I shall leave over night for the epoxy to set really well as I don't want any flats on the tyres, in the mean time I have started putting together the tracks.

[Phil Woollard]

This first photo shows a lower possibly some what saggy suspension, maybe after some time in the field. I wonder how the steel wheels affected the set up.

Very nice examples of suspension ride height of a little used Panther "A"

[Phil Woollard]

More progress, she's now on her tracks, it's such a mile stone to get this far.
A question guys.....should the stiffening slots in the rear stowage bins be "outy" or "inny" ? I am guessing outy.

[Kent Wiik]

Hi Phil,

Nice progress, me like!

Regarding the box, always "outy".


But covered with zimm no one could tell...


Regarding the zimmerit on Bergepanthers Ausf A so please note in the photo abowe of one of the 50 made Demag Panthers Ausf A how the Demag zimmerit pattern looked like.
Very different from MAN, DB or MNH, but very much like the Tiger 1 pattern.
Demag Bergepanthers Ausf A had the same zimmerit pattern.

Kind regards
Kent

[Phil Woollard]

Thanks Kent, very interesting photo to, I want a bit of contrast with the zimmerit so maybe apply to one bin and not the other, the stowage bins will have a plasticard profile to bring the stiffing groove out then. It's amazing just how rough the zimmerit was, have you ever seen evidence of vertical and horizontal tool marks on the same vehicle other than the application to the access plates? .......Phil