Stik’s Panther

[chromdome35]

+1 on filling in the missing periscopes. I'm going to paint mine before I install them in the cupola, I'm concerned I'll butcher the paint job if I wait until they are already installed.

[stikpusher]

Aug 19, 2023 0:49:01 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

+1 on filling in the missing periscopes. I'm going to paint mine before I install them in the cupola, I'm concerned I'll butcher the paint job if I wait until they are already installed.

Good idea. I ordered a set yesterday, and we shall see how long they take to arrive and how they look. But hell, even if I was to sand and polish clear sprue into the correct size and shape to fit in those openings that would look better than the emptiness.

I ‘ll be painting the areas and periscopes separately before installation…

[hasenpfeffer]

Looking good, Carlos. Periscopes and grill covers should dress this up nicely.

[stikpusher]

Thanks Dave. I think that they will indeed lift this kit up a few notches.

[Tojo72]

How’s this one doing Stik,is it going to make it,more time is available to finish if needed.

[stikpusher]

Tony, I might be able to get this one done in time, can’t say for sure… I just haven’t been feeling the mojo for bench time lately… I sit there… and just sit there…

[robbo]

Same here, it could be the weather

[hasenpfeffer]

C'mon Carlos! You can do it! Think "The Waterboy" LOL. But yeah, I do the same #$%*&. Especially when it comes to tracks.

[stikpusher]

Well, my get up and go has finally returned. I got back to work on this last night and today...

I added the brass PE screens to the engine deck and cover on the turret top for where a S-mine launcher was supposed to go on early 1944 MAN production Panthers



then I added most of the little fiddly bits around the driver and bow gunners hatches, so I could paint those areas before I install the periscopes that I bought.



and lastly I removed the reinforcement bar on the cleaning rod tube that was not present on early 1944 MAN production Panthers



I'll have more to post in a few days...

[deafpanzer]

Glad to see it back on your bench!

[Joe Rix]

Really good to see you back at it again. Really nice progress. Your giving me some motivation to get back at mine since I've cleared the holidays and other events. Well done Stik.

[Tojo72]

Excellent,good to see this moving along.

[406 Silverado]

Just got caught up on this build this morning and those screens really help the whole look of this one out Carlos. Excellent progress and some fine modeling along the way.

[stikpusher]

Thanks guys! It’s good to have this one progressing again. Every little bit helps, even if it is too late for the GB end date.

[tcoat]

I have no idea how I missed this until now but it is looking good now that you are back at it!

[brandonk]

Just found this one. Bookmarked. Looking really good. Love those Panthers.

[stikpusher]

TC & Brandon, thanks! I just have a bit more to do on the upper hull, but my next challenge is figuring out how to get the best look that I can from the kit's vinyl tracks... 

[stikpusher]

Well this one is my primary project again...

I had done some minor work on it in the meantime while I worked on other projects... I primed the top deck and later painted it all in Dark Yellow to get photo etch screens looking proper



Yesterday I began adding mud texture to the lower hull and bottom of the sponsons







and today I finished up paint the inner surfaces of the tracks prior to getting them installed





more to come in a few days..

[mrt51]

Nice clean and consistent.

[brandonk]

Really nice. I think I'll follow your lead and dirty mine up in pieces too, it looks easier.

[stikpusher]

Its a lot easier to add the mud at this stage than when the hull is fully assembled and the tracks are on... You can get all those otherwise hard to reach places.

[Tojo72]

Hey thst really looks the part,looking forward to seeing it all come together

[Joe Rix]

Excellent effects Carlos. And good see you back at it again. What did you use to get your mud effects?

[stikpusher]

Tony & Joe, thanks!

Joe, I used a combination of sifted soil, pigments, water and Future to make this stuff. Vary the proportions or pigments to change the color and viscosity.

[garybrantley]

Jun 2, 2023 12:10:44 GMT -5 DennisM said:

Jun 2, 2023 12:01:27 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

Nice choice Stik. You should do righteous by it.

I’m in agreement that a shirtless panther looks better. Although the scheme I’m considering for my panther calls for skirts I believe I will ditch them. Some artistic license on my part.🙄

Someone once told me that just because there is a picture of a vehicle configured a certain way, say with side skirts, it doesn't mean it stayed that way. Most likely they were lost at some point. Google "Knocked out Panther" and you will see that most ended their lives without them.

That's what I thought too. 😊  And, that line of thinking meant that I didn't have to make "all" of the side skirts either! 😄

[tcoat]

Feb 14, 2024 9:00:03 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

Jun 2, 2023 12:10:44 GMT -5 DennisM said:

Someone once told me that just because there is a picture of a vehicle configured a certain way, say with side skirts, it doesn't mean it stayed that way. Most likely they were lost at some point. Google "Knocked out Panther" and you will see that most ended their lives without them.

That's what I thought too. 😊  And, that line of thinking meant that I didn't have to make "all" of the side skirts either! 😄

Any soldier of any army, of any nationality, in any time period will do the least possible work that they can get away with especially in a combat zone. If skirts were damaged, had to be removed for field track/wheel repairs or just simply fell off you can bet your bottom dollar they would STAY off unless somebody senior said to put them back. 

[kyledehart5]

Very nice work on the mud effects.

[speedgraflex]

Bookmarked. Following, following!

[TOWGunner]

Your Panther is looking outstanding Carlos! You are really doing a lot with this ancient kit. Great save! Your mud is terrific.

[stikpusher]

Thanks guys!

Kyle, the mud effects really help down there... even if most of it will be hard to see.

Bruce, I'm glad that you're gonna follow this project!

TOW, it may be older, but it's not a bad kit at all. Sure better than the 70's vintage Tanya Panther A I've had this in my stash when I bought it as a new release... I'm glad you like the mud. That is always fun to apply!

This afternoon I got the tracks made into their single piece loop and installed them. I drilled holes in the hull side to run pieces of music wire thru to hold down the top runs...





But I think that I'm gonna need to glue down the top run with epoxy or CA for a better look...