Sd.Kfz 171 Panther A, Normandy 1944 Dragon 1/35)

[losboz]

So after a few years of dithering with this one it made it onto the bench this summer with the aim of completion

This is Dragon's Normandy 1944 Panther A #6168 released in 2002. Its a pretty basic kit (no zimm and rubber band tracks) compared to the myriad of modern Panther offerings but it can still be made to look tidy.

First additions were a turned barrel, an Atak zimm set, an ET model PE set for the late A model, a Eureka XXL cable set and a set of damaged (burnt out) resin road wheels

After a coat of overall red oxide primer the damaged zimm colour was blocked in and the barrel received a grey (heat resistant) primer

Next up was a base coat of Dunkelgelb followed by a few sessions of chipping

Then followed the ubiquitous field applied camo colours and another round of distressing the paintwork

After a filter, pin wash and a few distressing additions   the road wheels were then painted and checked for fitment.

[406 Silverado]

Some serious bling on this gal. Painting and weathering are top notch.

[losboz]

Thanks Rob

Knocked up a little base from a picture frame, Plasticard, Styrafoam and some Daler Rowney texture paste. I then cut up a long grass mat from Treemendus. I trimmed various sections so the longest grasses would be around the hull.  I used an even older Tamiya Panther to mark out how low she would sit in the groundworks.

To get the impression of vehicle weight I hoped she would sink a little and left overnight

The running gear was completed with Friul metal tracks.  More links were also weathered and added to the hull and turret.  Further tufts were added to the base and a first layer of paint was added to start harmonizing the different grasses

[losboz]

Progress so far

[wbill76]

Looks right at home on that base!

[adt70hk]

Very nice indeed!! An excellent job!!

ATB

Andrew

[Leon]

That looks great Los!

[406 Silverado]

Base looks awesome, love the tall grass.

[losboz]

Whilst I am updating progress on incomplete builds, this project was eventually completed in 2022.

Entitled 'KITTY LITTER' it loosely depicts an after battle casualty who's images were published in the Panzerwreck Normandy 1 book.

[Tojo72]

Great finish on this one.

[chromdome35]

Beautiful work! You are posting some awesome builds!

[Joe Rix]

Really magnificent Panther losboz. Your efforts are exceptionally realistic.

[Tobi]

I like the shot of the model in the same perspective as the real thing. You captured the look nicely.

[Steve Zuleski]

Ya, keep posting, these are excellent. Pretty real pics, the weathering work is classic!

[reserve]

A fine job sir

[creading]

Great build and display.

Cheers,
C.

[hasenpfeffer]

Very nicely done! Love the microchipping effect on the wheels and hull. Well, I also love that it's a Panther!

[mustang1989]

Whoa HO HO!!!! Looky what we got here!!! Man that is CRAZY off the charts Los! I cant get over how realistic this looks. I just showed to my son and he thought it was real till I zoomed out. This is frickin electric !!!!

[mustang1989]

Feb 17, 2023 17:55:00 GMT -5 @cpd934 said:

Very nice build. 👍👍

Welcome back cpd!! 

[Whiterook]

Dec 5, 2018 5:00:14 GMT -5 losboz said:

Thanks Rob

Knocked up a little base from a picture frame, Plasticard, Styrafoam and some Daler Rowney texture paste. I then cut up a long grass mat from Treemendus. I trimmed various sections so the longest grasses would be around the hull.  I used an even older Tamiya Panther to mark out how low she would sit in the groundworks.

To get the impression of vehicle weight I hoped she would sink a little and left overnight

The running gear was completed with Friul metal tracks.  More links were also weathered and added to the hull and turret.  Further tufts were added to the base and a first layer of paint was added to start harmonizing the different grasses

I’m trying to figure out the “long grass mat” thing… what exactly is that? I looked it up and I only come up with front door mats 

On the styrofoam… how did you shape it?