Armortek

Hello everyone

Well, I've procrastinated as long as I could on this part and was even thinking about skipping it all together because I'm so anxious to camo. But, I decided this past weekend to dive in and get it started. I'll be detailing out the deck on my Panther with part(plate) lines, recessed bolts around the engine compartment, new intake guards and fan shrouds etc.

I don't have near the patience or the craftsman skills of Kent or Bob, so my fan shrouds and intake guards will be SLA parts.(similar to the idler parts I did) So far, just the intake guard computer model is done and I'll make SLAs when I have both complete. Then I'll detail them (casting texture) and mold them perhaps for metal castings.

Anyways, here's the rear deck before it goes under the cutter as well as the 3D file for my guards. I'll post more as I progress.





Thanks Derek, Bob and Kent for the kick in the pants I needed.

Kind regards

Tim

Hi Tim
I went for it straight away before I got to far down the build.
I also cut the deck across the front of the drivers hatch plate and I
added a thicker plate across there.
I made wedges to add into the grills and bonded them in once
filled and painted I think they look good.
That was thanks to Kents posts. Dave Dibbs has the masters but he wont do anything till after the halftrack Quad is done.
I have had a break from building for the last couple weeks as I have had
other things on.


Keep up the good work

Derek

Tim.
Wow that's a major undertaking! I provided a kick in pants on this project? Hmmm, you had your Panther done a year before me? Hmmm. Have to think about who's motivating who here???

Great CAD work and planning on your part as usual! One thought, would it possible to make a new deck from Alum and keep the existing steel one so you can drive the tank and of course camo it? Just an idea, once you cut the original its all or nothing - it will be in the shop for a while till its finished.

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing yet more awesome detailing on an already superbly detailed model.

Bob

Hi Derek, I'm plan on doing something similar to what you have done for the front deck as well. I haven't decided if I will completely separate it as many have done. Although, I really like that treatment. We'll see.

Bob, My original plan was to do a new deck with panels etc., out of aluminum but I decided the slight modification of the existing deck will be quicker.(at the rate I get things done) and will achieve the look I was after without too much trouble.

Here's the Air Exhaust Guard. I should have SLA's of both parts soon after the holiday.



regards

Tim

Hi Tim
Those grills look great.I wanted to try to use the original kit parts
as much as I could to keep the costs with in reason,(Got to pay for the PZ111)
somehow and I am pleased with how its comming out so far.
Look forward to seeing more pictures from you soon.
I hope to post some of mine when I get things together.

Derek

Hi Tim, are you planing to cast your Air Exhaust Guard and the Cooling Air Intake?? If yes, you can make me a pair of each...
One question, i'm surprised to see that the foward line of the recessed bolts around the engine compartment does not line up the first bolt on each side... like the rear line... I hope that's clear, forgive my bad english... Can you tell me, are you sure of your design?? Early and late panther has different bolts?
If your draw is right that mean that i did a mistake on mine...

ced

Hi Guys
All my drawings and pictures of the late Panther G show
The spacing of the bolts round the engine hatch were not
equal spaced down the sides of this hatch because of the hinges.
the forward row I lined up with the corners like Tim has on the back row.

Hope that makes sence

Derek

Hi Cedric.

Yes, These will be made into patterns and I am planning on molding and casting them like I did for the idler project parts. I'm working on a few other parts as well.

The bolt pattern I have along the front edge is based off deck drawings I referenced in "Panzer Tracts No 5-3 Panzerkampfwagen (Panther) Ausf G" Only the rear bolts lined up to the side ones. The below photo is courtesy of Kent Wiik. Its a photo of the rear, center deck plate taken at Saumur. Thanks Kent.

As these are covered by the turret, it's not a critical thing. Just having the recessed bolts as many have done adds so much to the rear deck.



hope that helps

Tim

Hi Tim, stunning work as usual, it must be great to turn mental images into CAD designs and then to produce a finished piece, I really do envy your skill, by the way Tim what are SLA's

regards
Jeff

Hi Jeff

Thanks. It is nice to being able apply my limited Solidworks knowledge to my hobby. Not quite the superb "craftsman" skills you and so many others here have but it works.

SLA is short for StereoLithography. It's a rapid prototyping system that utilizes a computer controlled UV laser to harden a photocurable liquid resin to produce 3-D copies of CAD models. The liquid resin material can vary with properties that closely represent different types of injection molded plastics(resins). I'm lucky enough to have one in one of our offices There are machines now that even do various types of metals!!! Wish I had one of those.

We use it for our business but it sure is more fun using it for this stuff.

regards

Tim

Hi Tim, that is so space age, a few years ago I installed an electroforming machine for both copper and silver, but is only good for fine surface detail on one side, and as the process is cold there is no shrinkage of the original model, but its useless for our armour models

regards
Jeff

Thank you very much... that picture is really helpfull... But too late!! The front line of my deck line up the side holes!!!
I'm really angry after myself. I think i'll order a new deck!! Do you have a DWG file with distance between bolt? That would prevent me to do again an expensive mistake?
When this casting parts will be available?? Put me on the list...

I think there is still a problem, have a look at the real thing, the 6th hole f(rom the rear) line up exactly the center of the hinge hatch! I can see that on your blueprint, it's not like that, i tried a lot of time to get it like that but i can't, did you notice that??

Ced

Hi Cedric

Don't worry, that row of bolts won't show anyways once the turret is on.

My side bolt spacing was mostly based around the Air Intake guards and scaling up from a 35th scale drawing. No dimensions were on the drawing, so I made them as even as possible.

In order to line the one up centered on the hinge would require repositioning the hatch and or hinge. I have to draw the "accuracy line" somewhere . The armored fuel cap guards should be moved forward as well but for now, I'll be happy with the mods I have planned. I have camo and weathering on the brain followed closely by a late Tiger project!

Good luck with your Panther, can't wait to see it. I'll let you know on the parts.

kind regards

Tim

I cant'.... Because i know the mistake is there...
Ok, guys.....As i'm in hong kong till middle of august and that i can't built, i decided to remake a total new deck with all independent panels for the rear part plus the 3 others sections, scale inside support and walls etc...with fake fan boxes with hidden speakers inside and and 1:6 full metal engine (that i bought already)... I have my computer and autocad and have plenty of time... I know, it's a challenge but i think i can make it...
I will create a post when work will be started...

Ced

Cedric

Awesome! That was my original plan as well. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Tim