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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 4, 2023 10:43:49 GMT -5
Hey gang! I always wanted to build a Panther because it is the only panzer variant I haven't built since my return to modeling about 15 years ago. I am so glad that we are doing Panthers Group Build here so I have no excuse not to build it... The victim...  I am refraining from going crazy with photo etch and aftermarket stuff this time. The only draw back about this kit is that all tools are molded with clasps so I will use the aftermarket tool set with 3D printed clasps. And some of you know me that I must have figures to go with all of my builds and I have chosen Alpine miniatures set.  The Panther will sport an ambush camo pattern as seen during the Battle of Bulge in Ardennes/Frayneux.  Probably my only reference book which I still like so much...  I took advantage of my local club team building event yesterday to start the kit and it took me nearly four hours just to work on the gun alone! Great details but too bad it won't be seen. Originally I planned to skip that part but I was having too much fun building it.    The kit barrel was molded in one piece and it was very nice so I have chosen not to use the metal barrel this time. More to come... |
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Post by chromdome35 on Jun 4, 2023 11:03:31 GMT -5
DP, if this is going to be your build thread for the Group Build, would you consider moving to the GB section of the board?
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Post by chromdome35 on Jun 4, 2023 11:06:05 GMT -5
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Post by Tojo72 on Jun 4, 2023 11:11:13 GMT -5
Good start,I really like Alpine figures,should be good.
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adt70hk
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Post by adt70hk on Jun 4, 2023 12:13:46 GMT -5
Very cool!
Not built a Panther in 15 years.... Even I've done better than that! 😉
Heard very good things about RFM kits. Will be interested in your opinion as i took the plunge recent and bought their Firefly.
ATB.
Andrew
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 4, 2023 12:26:54 GMT -5
DP, if this is going to be your build thread for the Group Build, would you consider moving to the GB section of the board? Absolutely! It has been 5-6 years since I started a new thread and I struggled to find the GB but found it all the way to the bottom!  I was able to move it... thanks for the guidance! I have that Achtung Panzer book, great reference book!!! I also have Panzer Tracts No.5-3 on the Panther G, which is excellent as well.  Wait a minute! I thought you were going to send me yours for my birthday? It is coming up in 16 days... Grin Good start,I really like Alpine figures,should be good. Thanks! Agreed, nobody makes better resin figures than Alpine!!! However I really like Panzer Art too because they are not just postured for pics. Very cool! Not built a Panther in 15 years.... Even I've done better than that! 😉 Heard very good things about RFM kits. Will be interested in your opinion as i took the plunge recent and bought their Firefly. LOL! Glad you bought the Firefly and I think I need to get it too. I guess I can blame you too! So far I really like RFM and I will not hesitate to buy more. Can I have your credit card?  |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 4, 2023 12:28:29 GMT -5
Steve Zuleski It worked! I was able to make several quotes and post at once. Thank you and I owe you a beer now!
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ogrejohn
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Post by ogrejohn on Jun 4, 2023 16:22:02 GMT -5
Off to a good start Andy!
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george
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Post by george on Jun 4, 2023 17:40:13 GMT -5
Nice start, beautiful and well detailed kit, have one in my stash.
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Post by 406 Silverado on Jun 4, 2023 17:43:11 GMT -5
This should be good. I actually built an RFM kit not too long ago and I’ve gotta say that they are LOADED with detail. I can’t believe that you haven’t built a Panther yet Andy. Looking forward to seeing your take on this subject
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armornutii
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Post by armornutii on Jun 4, 2023 17:59:46 GMT -5
Watching this build as I have the M1A2 varient with interior, looks like I will not be disappointed in quality.
DP, I'll make a run up North and buy that beer for Steve Z.. we live fairly close, however people come up missing in his neck of the woods and most folks have back hoes LOL.
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Post by hasenpfeffer on Jun 4, 2023 18:53:33 GMT -5
I've had this question since I started building RFM kits... why is there a spring included in the barrel assembly?
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 5, 2023 8:04:09 GMT -5
Off to a good start Andy! Thanks buddy! And again thank you for not giving up on hauling my ass back here! Nice start, beautiful and well detailed kit, have one in my stash! You will really like it too! Everything has been great. Sometimes the pieces attached to the sprue can be little too much but easy to remove and make it right. Thanks! This should be good. I actually built an RFM kit not too long ago and I’ve gotta say that they are LOADED with detail. I can’t believe that you haven’t built a Panther yet Andy. Looking forward to seeing your take on this subject i know! I guess I wanted to save the best for last? LOL I am glad I waited because I wouldn't be building this RFM kit. I had Dragon kits for all variants but I sold them all a while ago. Dragon kits can be good but it can drive me nuts sometimes! Thanks for dropping by! Watching this build as I have the M1A2 varient with interior, looks like I will not be disappointed in quality. DP, I'll make a run up North and buy that beer for Steve Z.. we live fairly close, however people come up missing in his neck of the woods and most folks have back hoes LOL. LOL! What's your PayPal email so I can send you fund to help with the beer run! Glad you have that kit with interiors. I have Meng Tusk version and I can see that it is very nice too! But please don't ask me when I can build it unless we can do modern armor GB one day.  I've had this question since I started building RFM kits... why is there a spring included in the barrel assembly? I thought it was odd but the kit gives you two options on the gun... to be simulated as gun automatic double action. I opted not to do this. I guess it gives some modelers who wants to build a gun that is being fired in action? |
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armornutii
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Post by armornutii on Jun 5, 2023 8:33:16 GMT -5
So the spring simulated the recoil action of the barrel? Interesting veery interesting....my Trumpy King Tiger has the same feature, should use care in building so I don't have unintentional short barrel syndrome.
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reserve
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Post by reserve on Jun 5, 2023 18:52:17 GMT -5
You could always have the gun out in front of the tank on blocks for maintenence
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 5, 2023 19:20:50 GMT -5
so I don't have unintentional short barrel syndrome. Good thing I am not too crazy of panzers with short barrels but I always liked PzIII N and I think I have a kit of it. You could always have the gun out in front of the tank on blocks for maintenence AHHH! That's something I can do in the future. A small winter diorama has been in my mind for a long time since I am huge fan of Battle of Bulge. I visited Bastogne back in 2016 as part of the Band of Brother tour and I was blown away after seeing those foxholes in Ardenne forest. Thanks for stopping by!  |
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Leon
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Post by Leon on Jun 5, 2023 19:56:02 GMT -5
Off to a good start Buddy!
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 7, 2023 8:12:16 GMT -5
Off to a good start Buddy! Leon, thanks my friend! Guys, I worked on the turret for last two nights and I really enjoyed it very much. So far I really like RFM as it is my first and I will not hesitate to buy kits from them. I was amazed by the surface texture on the turret especially the mantlet...     I was worried that my resin figure may not fit into the hatch but it was almost a perfect fit after I sanded down the commander's jacket sleeve little so the hand can connect to the cupola.  I will be adding the weld seams to some places eventually. Thanks for looking! |
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Post by tcoat on Jun 7, 2023 8:19:05 GMT -5
I had never even heard of RFM until I joined this forum but from what I have seen they are very quickly headed up my must have priority list. That texture on the turret is phenomenal!  |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 7, 2023 8:27:28 GMT -5
LOL! I swear I can hear her voice despite the fact that I am deaf. Glad you liked it and you will not regret if you buy one. Last night I was checking online retailer for any RFM kits that I can consider adding to my stash but I was strong enough to control myself and not to buy one this time. I do own few RFM kits and I look forward to build them too especially the Sherman M4A3!
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Post by Tojo72 on Jun 7, 2023 8:32:02 GMT -5
Looks good,I do like the texture on the turret
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Post by tcoat on Jun 7, 2023 8:45:24 GMT -5
LOL! I swear I can hear her voice despite the fact that I am deaf. Glad you liked it and you will not regret if you buy one. Last night I was checking online retailer for any RFM kits that I can consider adding to my stash but I was strong enough to control myself and not to buy one this time. I do own few RFM kits and I look forward to build them too especially the Sherman M4A3! Yep! I am looking for this one   www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/modern/rfm5076reviewaj_1.html |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 7, 2023 9:01:50 GMT -5
Looks good,I do like the texture on the turret Glad you liked it too. Thanks man! HAHAHA! I looked at that one too but the cage SCARES the crap out of me... |
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Post by tcoat on Jun 7, 2023 9:07:59 GMT -5
Looks good,I do like the texture on the turret Glad you liked it too. Thanks man! HAHAHA! I looked at that one too but the cage SCARES the crap out of me... Each section is molded as one piece so should be simple.   |
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Post by Tobi on Jun 7, 2023 11:49:33 GMT -5
Steve Zuleski It worked! I was able to make several quotes and post at once. Thank you and I owe you a beer now! I would love to know that trick, too. |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jun 7, 2023 12:30:38 GMT -5
Steve Zuleski It worked! I was able to make several quotes and post at once. Thank you and I owe you a beer now! I would love to know that trick, too. Sure, I tagged you on one of Steve Zuleski's thread recently so you can see his comment how to do this. You might have to buy him a drink too! |
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adt70hk
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Post by adt70hk on Jun 7, 2023 15:29:02 GMT -5
Off to a good start Buddy! Leon, thanks my friend! Guys, I worked on the turret for last two nights and I really enjoyed it very much. So far I really like RFM as it is my first and I will not hesitate to buy kits from them. I was amazed by the surface texture on the turret especially the mantlet... I was worried that my resin figure may not fit into the hatch but it was almost a perfect fit after I sanded down the commander's jacket sleeve little so the hand can connect to the cupola. I will be adding the weld seams to some places eventually. Thanks for looking! Oooooooooohhh that's nice! Not to mention speedy work! ATB Andrew |
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stikpusher
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Post by stikpusher on Jun 7, 2023 16:20:05 GMT -5
Should the flat rolled/pressed armor plate be textured like that? I’ve seen plenty of texture on cast armor, it’s a result of the process, but I dont ever recall such such texture on rolled/pressed armor plates.
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Leon
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Post by Leon on Jun 7, 2023 16:54:22 GMT -5
Making good progress Andy! Turret looks really good.
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Post by Tobi on Jun 8, 2023 7:36:28 GMT -5
Should the flat rolled/pressed armor plate be textured like that? I’ve seen plenty of texture on cast armor, it’s a result of the process, but I dont ever recall such such texture on rolled/pressed armor plates. My method for rolled steel in express short below: Make small burrs with a dental bit, stipple on liquid surfacer with a bristle brush and sand smooth. For imitating scaling mask some spots irregularly with liquid mask before stippling. I would love to know that trick, too. Sure, I tagged you on one of Steve Zuleski's thread recently so you can see his comment how to do this. You might have to buy him a drink too! Got it to work, but I must do it in "BBCode" mode. When switching back to preview you have it.  |
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I was able to move it... thanks for the guidance! 
