1/48 Suyata Panther A maintenance diorama

[406 Silverado]

Aug 7, 2023 21:41:00 GMT -5 rbaer said:

I'm still scratching my head at the fact that this is 1/48....

You and me both brutha!

[m1keh]

Jun 5, 2023 21:25:50 GMT -5 DennisM said:

Here is a little something I do to make shell casings look a little more realistic. I base coat with AK 3rd gen brass. His it with a hairdryer and then mix up some brass with a tint of grim brown and somewhere between a wash and filter right at the end. Makes the shells look a little bigger for me

I'm late to the show but want to say that is a cool slick trick on those brass casings, thanks for sharing that!

[DennisM]

I am not finished with the Panther yet, but I wanted to start construction on the crane. Can't say it is enjoyable to build. Lots of long skinny pieces that are a real pain to clean up. One word of advice is to follow the directions exactly when building the crane. Pay close attention to the pictures and double check before gluing. Had a couple of painful corrections to make. These aren't 100% done but just wanted to post an update

[DennisM]

So I am at the point where I need to start laying this thing out how I want it. Instead of the box art setup, I want to set the turret off to the side. I was sure they wouldn't just set it on the turret basket so I googled it. Yep, a couple of saw horses is how they hold the turret up. Wouldn't catch me working under that

[406 Silverado]

Saw horses??!! REALLY??!! Yeah.....you definitely wouldn't catch me working under that!! I'm watching this thread closely Dennis so I can be ready for mine when that time comes. Thank you for posting your progress in detail.


Good to see you back bud.

[deafpanzer]

The fun part starts now! I have been looking forward to this since I haven't actually seen one built or at local model shows so you have my full attention here.

[DennisM]

Trying to pick up some speed here. Not worrying about painting every little detail that won't be seen. Some work on the turret tonight. Still a little but to go. The kit does bit come with a cushion for the commanders seat. There is only a huge ejector pin mark where it should be. Just made a cushion out of epoxy putty.

[406 Silverado]

Man this is just crazy detail in 1/48th scale Dennis. And to think that I've actually got this one in my stash!! Good call on the epoxy seat cushion.

[Tojo72]

Your making some nice progress,the interior looks great.

[Joe Rix]

Terrific progress Dennis. Very nice painting and weathering on the interior space.

[chromdome35]

That interior is looking great and the overall scene is going to be sweet when you are done. I've always wanted to build something like this, following with lots of interest.

[reserve]

Wicked nice!! I've also seen pics of Tiger I turrets set on upended fuel drums

[DennisM]

Great video came out today of a Panther restoration from Australia.
Lot's of great views and history
Explains what a lot of those parts you glue on actually do

[406 Silverado]

Sept 27, 2023 12:14:27 GMT -5 DennisM said:

Great video came out today of a Panther restoration from Australia.
Lot's of great views and history
Explains what a lot of those parts you glue on actually do

Now THAT…..was frickin cool Dennis! I really enjoy videos like this to see these things come to life as well as the technical aspects of the inner workings of these beasts. Really helps, as you’ve mentioned, in knowing what we’re putting together on these scaled down versions we work with. Thanks for sharing that

[Joe Rix]

Sept 27, 2023 12:14:27 GMT -5 DennisM said:

Great video came out today of a Panther restoration from Australia.
Lot's of great views and history
Explains what a lot of those parts you glue on actually do

That is a great video. Incredibly educational not to mention excellent insight into the details of a Panther. Thanks for sharing this.

[DennisM]

Check out the other videos on that channel. They have hours of video of them rebuilding the running gear on a Stug.

Actually had some down time today so I did a thing. I put the zimmerit on the Panther. They are 3D decals and go on just like regular decals. Rather enjoyed the process. Almost felt like an aircraft builder putting all of them on. I will say for anyone building this kit, put the decals on before gluing the tools on. I of course did not. It wasn't i.possible but made things more difficult. Had to cut a few of them in half to get them on. Drenched them in Micro sol and they snugged down nicely. A few areas needed some white glue along the edges. The Panther is just about done with construction. Road wheels are ready to go. Just need to do the tracks

[Joe Rix]

Whoa! That 3D zimm decals look great. Nice job on cutting it into pieces that fit around all the hardware. I'll be interested in seeing how it all looks painted.

[handiabled]

Amazing! I have no idea how you managed to get the decals placed so well with all of the obstacles.

[kyledehart5]

Good grief! That’s incredible!

[406 Silverado]

Man this is just crazy cool right here Dennis. You are tha MAN for getting that stuff positioned around all of the equipment on the surface of this little monster.

[ogrejohn]

Dang fine work on the zimm decals!

[Tojo72]

Oh yes,really nice work !!!

[dupes]

Decal zim?? What will they think of next!

Good save cutting them in half...tip noted about placing them before any of the tools.

[M1Carbine]

WOW!, holy cow that looks insane! Dialed ion for this one.

-Bob

[stikpusher]

First off, the 3-D Zimmerit decals look great! Second off, who makes them? That sure looks like an ideal method for application of the stuff.

[DennisM]

Oct 9, 2023 19:43:46 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

First off, the 3-D Zimmerit decals look great! Second off, who makes them? That sure looks like an ideal method for application of the stuff.

The 3D decals are provided in the kit. I liked them better than the Tamiya sticker Zim which is okay but harder to position since they stick as soon as the touch anything. These you can slide around like decals. The only area I am not happy with is the ball mount for the hull MG. I may try to fix it or may just leave it since it is a diorama and every detail need not be perfect.

[stikpusher]

Ah... I was getting hopeful that some of the 3-d decal folks were going to be tackling zimmerit. Damn....

[adt70hk]

Just had a catch-up Dennis. That's turned out very nicely indeed so far.

Those decals look great.

Also really liked the tip on the brass effect. That turned out very well indeed.

[DennisM]

I've gone and done it now

[406 Silverado]

Oct 13, 2023 12:53:10 GMT -5 DennisM said:

I've gone and done it now

Yessirreee!! You done took this to a whole new level Dennis. This should be interesting to see where this whole build goes next with you at the helm. Build away potna.