Joerix's 1/48 Tamiya Panther

[406 Silverado]

Jul 17, 2023 23:26:56 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

Well, I have to admit that with AM track links coupled with assembling and painting German armor wheels you armor nuts have introduced me to a whole new realm of tedious.



In all honesty these Quickwheel links are pretty sweet. Thanks to Anthony for turning me on to these. Now, I've only assembled 5 ten link sections so far and I've only broken 6 links. Pretty good in my book. I watched the how to video from their site and the dude on there set the timer on his phone and proceeded to assemble on full length of these in just over 12 minutes. I'm not sure which particular universe the gentleman resides in but it dang sure is not the same as mine. This has taken me nigh on 30 minutes. I suppose he has a bit more practice than me. I am unsure how many links per run for this kit but, I guess it will be by test fitting that I figure it out. For now, I really recommend them as they just snap together with a little pressure from the tip of some tweezers.

That's almost like watching videos or reading articles in hot rodding magazines with a slogan of "Engine build & swap out in a weekend!!". Whole nuther universe these folks are from.

Progress is progress good buddy Joe. Looking good so far.

[deafpanzer]

Jul 17, 2023 23:26:56 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

Well, I have to admit that with AM track links coupled with assembling and painting German armor wheels you armor nuts have introduced me to a whole new realm of tedious.



In all honesty these Quickwheel links are pretty sweet. Thanks to Anthony for turning me on to these. Now, I've only assembled 5 ten link sections so far and I've only broken 6 links. Pretty good in my book. I watched the how to video from their site and the dude on there set the timer on his phone and proceeded to assemble on full length of these in just over 12 minutes. I'm not sure which particular universe the gentleman resides in but it dang sure is not the same as mine. This has taken me nigh on 30 minutes. I suppose he has a bit more practice than me. I am unsure how many links per run for this kit but, I guess it will be by test fitting that I figure it out. For now, I really recommend them as they just snap together with a little pressure from the tip of some tweezers.

WOW! They look great and it only took you 30 minutes. It took me more than 4 hours to do my 1/35 set. Maybe I should join your 1/48 club after all! LOL

Thanks for letting us know about Quickwheel links... I haven't heard about it til just now.

[Joe Rix]

Thank you Joe, andy and Leon

I got both track runs completed. After my initial work on the tracks it dawned on me that maybe I should put my optivisor on in order to better see each link initial set. Game changer! Once I could clearly see each links initial line up I could pop them in toot sweet. At that point I could boogie along rather quickly. The remainder of the entire track assembly took me around 30-40 min. all told. In addition I only broke about 4 links during the improved conditions.



I counted the number of links on the kit supplied link and length tracks to give me an idea about how many to put together. The kit supplied came to 86. That's where I started. A quick and dirty test revealed that the Quicktracks will only need to be 82ish.



It might be a bit of a challenge to click the final ends together once on the final assembly. I'll be contemplating my navel on that one.

[Tojo72]

Those tracks look good,that guy in the videos is super fast.
Sadly for me too the optivisor has become a staple of my modeling too,but hey,whatever works.

[406 Silverado]

Jul 22, 2023 4:20:58 GMT -5 Tojo72 said:

Those tracks look good,that guy in the videos is super fast.
Sadly for me too the optivisor has become a staple of my modeling too,but hey,whatever works.

I've been using that for a number of years now as well. Where it really REALLY helps is when I paint Luftwaffe mottle camo. I can paint mottle effects on ever so subtly using the OV. Like you said Tony. Whatever works.

Joe, you are tha frickin MAN for pulling those track sections off in 1/48. I wouldn't worry too much about using the optivisor for those in that scale. Those look great bud.

[reserve]

If you're using click together tracks it should be easy...just cut off the pins on the link that carries them and join the ends on the drive sprocket. In fact, this method works for any indy link system.

[Joe Rix]

Jul 23, 2023 15:15:42 GMT -5 reserve said:

If you're using click together tracks it should be easy...just cut off the pins on the link that carries them and join the ends on the drive sprocket. In fact, this method works for any indy link system.

Thanks Mark. That advice might just prove quite helpful.

[Joe Rix]

It has been awhile since I posted an update but, I have been actually putting in some work on my Panther. Lately it has been correcting some detail and adding a little. I had assembled a great deal of the kit and was happy with how things were progressing but, one thing was bugging the living ding dong out of me that I just finally had to correct. The hatch handles on the kit were nothing more than plastic nubs, or mounds if you will. So, after a bit of mental debate I jumped in cut the nubs off and fashioned some wire handles. This was a first for me but, I am quite happy with the results.





Next up was to replace the kit tow cables with some AM ones that I happen to find in 1/48 scale. Again, I was not overly thrilled with the kit string cable and since I was able to find the AM ones it sounded like a grand idea. Cut the wire to length and insert the ends and voila.



Here's a pic comparing to the kit supplied ones.



And finally, I opted to add the rear deck tow cable clamps that came with the 3-D AM set I had. Photos of Ausf G's show that some had these while others did not. I thought they would add some nice detail whether they were present on the current subject I'm modeling or not. They came printed with the keeper pin molded in place which was rather inconvenient as you were not able to put the end of the tow cable in place. So, I decided to cut the molded pin out, carefully drill holes on each side and fashion some wire keeper pins. I did not get the opposing holes perfectly aligned when I drilled them out but, they still look the part. I also sanded them down a bit as they were too thick for scale. Although they are still not thin enough, my efforts made them look much better. I'm quite happy with the results.
 
Before and after pic. The wire is for effect. The actual pins are in the following pics.









Here's where I'm now. I have bravely glued the tools and accessories on to be painted in place. This was a bold move for me but, I'm going to give it a shot.



Thanks for looking everyone. Any critique or suggestions are welcome.

[stikpusher]

Not too much longer before you can start adding paint!

[Tojo72]

Yes all of those little details make a real difference

[kyledehart5]

Awesome. Those are some nice upgrades Joe. Much better than the supplied pieces

[ogrejohn]

Definitely an improvement. Looking very good!

[deafpanzer]

Love those aftermarket tow cables by Eureka! Looking real good by the way!

[Joe Rix]

Aug 27, 2023 21:03:33 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Not too much longer before you can start adding paint!

That is indeed true Stik. Hoping I might be able to get some primer on this weekend.

[Joe Rix]

Thanks Tony, Kyle, John and Andy. Now to find some to get to the paint booth.

[Leon]

Really nice progress Joe! Bring on the primer and paint.

[Joe Rix]

Aug 30, 2023 19:07:07 GMT -5 Leon said:

Really nice progress Joe! Bring on the primer and paint.

Thank You Leon. Greatly appreciated.

[Tojo72]

Aug 28, 2023 9:30:02 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Love those aftermarket tow cables by Eureka! Looking real good by the way!

Sure beats the string supplied in most Tamiya kits

[406 Silverado]

Jeez Joe!! This is some pretty amazing detail work on a 1/48 scale Panther bubba. You're really outdoing yourself on this one and I'm glad to see that you're still on it.

[Joe Rix]

Aug 30, 2023 20:49:36 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jeez Joe!! This is some pretty amazing detail work on a 1/48 scale Panther bubba. You're really outdoing yourself on this one and I'm glad to see that you're still on it.

Greatly appreciate the encouraging words my friend. Certainly so far so good. We'll see how this trial at painting armor goes.

[chromdome35]

Very nice detailing. I really dig the rear tow cable holder. I have that same brand of cables for my 1/25 panther, glad to see you were happy with them.

[Joe Rix]

Aug 30, 2023 22:39:29 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Very nice detailing. I really dig the rear tow cable holder. I have that same brand of cables for my 1/25 panther, glad to see you were happy with them.

Thank You Brian. glad you like the cable holders. I considered scratching them out of PE as that would be more to scale but, opted to stick with the 3-D ones. You will be quite happy that you went with the Eureka cables. They are nice.

[reserve]

Most worthwhile upgrades, kinda makes me think yer serious about this

[Joe Rix]

Aug 31, 2023 17:29:08 GMT -5 reserve said:

Most worthwhile upgrades, kinda makes me think yer serious about this

Thanks Mark. Well, I am at least attempting to turn out something respectable. 

[Joe Rix]

Literally no progress over the last month. With the temperatures moderating, outdoor time and yard work were in order. Coupled with family responsibilities meant little time for the bench. But, I was able to finally get some paint booth time in yesterday. No easy task. First I had to enter into a parlay with Thera, Queen of the Paint Booth.

 
 
After intense negotiations, my offer of a salmon filet, 1 jar of catnip, a $50.00 Pet Smart gift card and generous pets was accepted and access to the paint booth was granted . As such, I was at least able to get a coat of Mr. Surfacer 1500 primer on the wheels.



It is likely to be costly but, I hope to get in some more booth time tomorrow. Stay tuned.

P.S. May have to start a GoFundMe account in order to pay off the cat.

[handiabled]

I feel your pain........ We do foster care for a local humane society. Right now we have 6 kittens we have had to bottle feed on top of the 2 four month old puppies that suddenly call our place home... I already have to contend with my wife's 2 basement dwelling cats getting on my bench. Add it up it means zero bench time as of late.

[406 Silverado]

Oct 3, 2023 0:42:19 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

. But, I was able to finally get some paint booth time in yesterday. No easy task. First I had to enter into a parlay with Thera, Queen of the Paint Booth.

First off, it's great to see some progress on this one Joe as I know you've been wanting to hit the bench for a while now. I hope that things have gotten better for you in the past week good friend.

Secondly, ummm.....the cat in the spray booth. You must have a big heart and a strong love for that animal because I don't know if I could stomach that one. lol

Lastly, I've been at home the last two days with my wife taking care of her. She started having some BAD back trouble as of last Friday which has been severely debilitating to her. Turns out....she has a 9mm kidney stone that cannot be passed so we're going to have to go in to see about removal options today.

[406 Silverado]

Oct 3, 2023 2:19:10 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I feel your pain........ We do foster care for a local humane society. Right now we have 6 kittens we have had to bottle feed on top of the 2 four month old puppies that suddenly call our place home... I already have to contend with my wife's 2 basement dwelling cats getting on my bench. Add it up it means zero bench time as of late.

OMG!!! Oh HELL no!! I think I'd go stark ravin' nuts with all that action going on in the house. You good sire......are tha MAN!!!

[deafpanzer]

Joe #1- You truly have a big heart for allowing your cat to rest in the paint booth!!! Glad you are finding your way back to the bench after a busy summer.

HD- WOW! Thank you for being involved with your local humane society! Bet it is a very rewarding experience to give those animals second chance for better lives. +1 for you!

Joe #2- Ouch! I have had kidney stones twice but none of those were as big as your wife. Take a good care of her!!! I was told many times that passing a kidney stone is as bad as giving birth.

[Joe Rix]

Oct 3, 2023 2:19:10 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I feel your pain........ We do foster care for a local humane society. Right now we have 6 kittens we have had to bottle feed on top of the 2 four month old puppies that suddenly call our place home... I already have to contend with my wife's 2 basement dwelling cats getting on my bench. Add it up it means zero bench time as of late.

That is awesome Brent. Good on you and your family. That right there will be my wife and I once we retire.