Knocked out Panther 2 (Dusty & rusty)

[danb.]

Hey all ive been itching to start my latest project and this weekend i have got the chance too as the KT dio is drying before i can start the paint.

The kit is a 1/35 Dragon value Panther2 it will be in a knocked out state and im making a small dio for this to sit on,
to set the scene i have decided to have this tank KO'ed in a factory setting it is a what if scenario so im making it as if the panther was rushed of the factory floor to counterattack the russians it did not get far as it was stalking a JS2 through a ruined factory it met its match and lost!!!!

So far i have built the basic structure of the Panther there will be a lot sanding and filling on this one as there are pre moulded pieces that just dont look correct anyway heres some pics of progress so far.







and the base it will sit on.


Dan B

[406 Silverado]

Oooo another knocked out tank.....that's what I like to see. Looking forward to this and will be following along.

[TRM]

Can never have enough know out big girls!!! Have at it Dan!!!!

[danb.]

Thanks for the comments boys i will try my best with this one as this is my first KO'ed machine could someone suggest some good ways of replicating shell holes?

Dan B

[wouter]

Hi Dan, will watch with interest mate. Nice build so far.

I usually create impact marks or shell holes by heating a drill bit and pressing it in the plastic. Afterwards when the plastic has cooled down I gently cut away any excess plastic

I think that works out fine:


Cheers

[danb.]

Many thanks Wouter i will give it a go, today i managed to get a bit more bench time with the Panther ive installed the axles in the lower hull and mocked up the road wheels ive decided to mix it up a bit by using some Panther a road wheels to suggest a quick field fix, the hull was sanded to get rid of pre moulded bits these were filled then i textured the hull.



I then sanded the turret with 2000 grit wet and dry paper to finish off the texturing.







I will hopefully get a bit more done tonight as the missus is ill no nagging on how much time i spend in the mancave!!!! lol

Dan B

[wouter]

lovely stuff mate. Looking at the hull this kit is one with an older hull than my Panther F and other Dragon Panther offerings: no working suspension as well if I looked well?

Anywhoo: you're doin' a great job mate, love the texture on the turret. And the base of that gun is ace ey ^^

Cheers

[danb.]

Hey Wout i see in your Panther F blog that you used ATL-08 fruilmodel tracks will theses fit on mine because the kit tracks are ugly as hell and look awful to fit?

many thanks Dan B

[wouter]

Hi mate, I assume these tracks will fit yours, so I'd say: go for it lad! ^^

Cheers

[AndyArgent.]

Nice work

[danb.]

Can anyone suggest any other tracks i could use as the kit tracks are a bit poo fruilmodel are a bit expensive is there any magic tracks i could use?

many thanks Dan B

[`Boots`]

Model Kasten might be worth a try Dan...............i`m not sure but i think Wout`s has used them as well (although i`m not 100% certain)....................they might be cheaper.............Wout`s is probably the best person to ask tho

[danb.]

Cheers Boots il have a look for them anywhere i should look in particulat any uk shops that sell them?

Dan B

[wouter]

yup, Boots, I got MK tracks for the Sturer but they are as jackwagon states almost as pricey as Friuls. To be honest: friul tracks are much less effort than MK tracks. I'd go with Dicks suggestion, it seems like it's great stuff

Cheers

[danb.]

Cheers boys thanks for the help i will try these tracks they look quite good lol at the gunpowder technique maybe next time. Hopefully get some more done to the Panther at the weekend busy with figures for the KT dio at the moment.

Dan B

[TRM]

Looking very nice Dan!!! That texture is looking tops my friend!!!

[tobias5555]

Great start, I´ll follow that post

[danb.]

I have made a bit of progress on the Panther this weekend it is in basic construction and i have made the the first stage of its base which will be then added to the main dio base i got my inspiration from Adam Wilders Stalingrad dio where he based a KV1 sunk in bricks, The mini base is a cake board with the centre cut away so the tank seems to be sinking int the ground then i made the surround with plasticard.









Dan B

[406 Silverado]

That is one way of doing it, very cool and interesting. Man this is going to be very cool.

[spud]

very nice

[danb.]

Thanks guys for the positive comments im awaiting some fire bricks from Royal Models then i can start on the groundwork.

Dan B

[wouter]

Hiya mate, great to see some progress. I remember that AW KV build with the bricks, nice inspiration indeed! Lookin' forward to next update

Cheers

[danb.]

Cheers Wout Adam is definately a great inspiration

Dan B

[danb.]

The Panther has received some battle damage and i have scratched some damaged shurzen and hanging rail i used a selection of heated drill bits to apply the shell holes then finished them off with a craft knife. Thanks to all that advised me on this idea as it works really well, i then i used a 3mm wide strip of plasticard as a hanging rail for the shurzen, the hangers were made from photo paper soaked in superglue then i made the shurzen plates from the same plasticard as the rail damaged was created using a knife a hot nail and tweezers to bend it in different positions. I have decided on the fate of the Panther of a shell going through the shurzen plate and then splitting the tracks the shell carried on and punched a hole into the lower part of the hull im not sure if i will paint it burnt up i will decide on this later in the build.
Finally i have damaged the exhaust cover using some heat and a nail i still have the other exhaust to fit.









Dan B

[406 Silverado]

Right up my alley, love the battle damage.

[AndyArgent.]

Very nice , really like the composition of this. And the work is top rate.

[wouter]

Nice work Dan, those scratched schurzen and rail are very cool. Nice idea about the paper soaked in superglue btw!

And I knew the drillbit way would work ;D, Nice piece of panzer mate!

Cheers

[noname]

This is looking great. Good stuff!

[armorguy]

The Schürzen with the damage look perfect ! It's time to pick up my Panther out of the stash ! Very inspiring !

[406 Silverado]

Got any paint on it yet !!