Stik’s Panther

[stikpusher]

Hasnpfeffer, I copy that about the drivers armored glass. I found a good photo, after the time when I really could have used it of course... When I get around to my D, I'll get it right Italy neglected to also give the side areas outboard of the armor flap swing arms... ah well. I want to keep the weathering moderate like on my recent Marder III H.

Thanks Matt. Trying to pin down good photos of Grossdeustchland Panther As was not easy, unless you want a couple of command tanks, and I didn't have the antenna parts for those... so I ended up using a couple of color profiles as a starting point and went from there...

[stikpusher]

Well, yesterday I got this gloss coated and today I applied the decals. They were not snuggling down into the zimmerit crevices with Micro Set and Micro Sol, so I had to hit them with a dose of Solvaset...





much better now... not much there, just tactical numbers, German crosses, and the divisional insignia...

[Tojo72]

That really looks great dressed up in camo

[406 Silverado]

I can most certainly see where the cals would give you a tough time over that zimmerit surface but that Solvaset looks like it did the trick Carlos! Love the camo work on this bad boy.

[brandonk]

That's really looking good. Zimmerit does not allow for stencils or decals. All we can do is hope and pray. Those came out very nice.

[kyledehart5]

Great job on the markings Carlos. Looks fantastic

[stikpusher]

Joe, Brandon, & Kyle, thank you.
I was worried about the decals, as they are ~30 years old... so I hit them with a preventative coat of Micro Scale Liquid Decal Film. It's been probably 10 year since I have used Italeri kit decals, and never so old plus over such. rough surface. The Solvaset really did a bit of a number on the rear hull and turret markings, but not too badly compared to other times when I've used the stuff...

[TOWGunner]

Those decals look perfect Carlos. You gonna weather it?

[stikpusher]

Feb 25, 2024 17:22:32 GMT -5 TOWGunner said:

Those decals look perfect Carlos. You gonna weather it?

Oh yes! Gotta blend in the muddy suspension with the rest of it.   

[stikpusher]

These will be my last photos until it is completed…

Last detail items painted and flat coat on…





I still have to do final weathering and add some stowage items…

[kyledehart5]

So close now.

[garybrantley]

Carlos, that's looking good! 😃 That is a very cool Panther.  👍 Just curious about your decaling; on armor vehicles, do you gloss-coat the entire vehicle or just the areas that have decals? 

[stikpusher]

Kyle... oh so close, but not quite there yet... 

Gary, I gloss coated everything that will get decals or have small detail items painted, so basically everything except the running gear. I have tried just the areas to be recalled, but then you get tonal differences in the areas gloss coated and those not gloss coated. Plus I use enamels for the detail items painting over an acrylic clear gloss, so any mess ups are easily cleaned up with paint thinner.

[garybrantley]

Feb 28, 2024 15:04:59 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Kyle... oh so close, but not quite there yet... 

Gary, I gloss coated everything that will get decals or have small detail items painted, so basically everything except the running gear. I have tried just the areas to be recalled, but then you get tonal differences in the areas gloss coated and those not gloss coated. Plus I use enamels for the detail items painting over an acrylic clear gloss, so any mess ups are easily cleaned up with paint thinner.

Thanks for the info, Carlos! 🥃  It makes perfect sense too, regarding the small details. 👍 Two of my tanks had just a few decals but I did gloss the entire vehicle because I was worried about the possible tonal variation too.  That Bulldog had none at all, other than box stencils.

[stikpusher]

You're quite welcome Gary. I'll have to take photos of my Tamiya Flak 36 sometime and post them. I gloss coated the parts that would get the decals such as the barrel and recuperator assembly, but not the shield. The tonal difference between those areas, even after the flat coat is quite noticeable. I think after that project or one of the next ones I started gloss coating the whole damn things. Not to mention that any washes applied will flow better over a gloss coat.

[stikpusher]

Well, I'm calling this tank done... final steps done today...





I'll get a proper multi angle bunch of "glamour shots" up tomorrow in the appropriate area... I'm still working on some figures for the open hatches.

[Tojo72]

Excellent,a fine edition to the group build,thanks for participating.

[kyledehart5]

Wonderful Carlos!! You’ve been completing builds left and right!! Another great looking addition.

[Steve Zuleski]

Now that's what I'm talkin bout, excellent!

[deafpanzer]

I am glad to back just in time to see it cross the finish line! Your Panther really looks great!!! Very nice touch adding those hanging helmets by the way.

[reserve]

Well done S a fine finish

[stikpusher]

Thanks guys! I loved the GB and Im quite happy to get this one over the finish line, even if two months late...



Tony, I was quite happy to partake, even if too late to the finish line. This is my first new build German armor completion in many years

Kyle, this is #4 for me since the beginning of the years, and all of the completions this month... my pace should be slowing down quite a bit from now on...

Ski, going from a guy of your skill level, that is high praise indeed! Thank you!

Andy, every tank needs some stowage... minimal or packed like a gypsy wagon

Now give me a few days to get the crew figures painted up properly... hopefully within a week...

[Joe Rix]

Congrats on crossing the finish line Stik. Absolutely worth the wait. Truly fantastic work all around and a tribute to your skills. The mud effects are incredibly well done. Mine is on hold for now while I deal with family health issues, but I've definitely taken notice from yours to apply to mine.

[handiabled]

Great finish to this one! I really like your weathering especially the built up mud areas on the rear

[garybrantley]

Great Panther model, Carlos! 🤩  And yes, that's some mighty fine mudwork! 😃 

[lyle]

another beauty!

[brandonk]

Another superb finish. She will look great on display next to all the other great builds you have.

[TOWGunner]

Outstanding Carlos! Fantastic finish!

[stikpusher]

Thanks for your kind words guys!

Joe, I’m sorry to hear about the family health issues, but those always take priority over our hobby. Nice to read that you can get some ideas off of this build.

Brent & Gary, doing the mud build up is fun! Probably my favorite part of weathering. In my late 50’s and still playing with mud

Brandon, I hadn’t completed any German armor in several years. Now with two in February I have to start another display shelf… my other German vehicle display shelves are all full!

[project510]

Looks fantastic. Great job on the camo and details.