M1 Panther II

[The Mechanic]

Hi All

This has been a long ongoing project for me. Started it in January this year and I've taken my time with it. The model is the Dragon 1/35th kit (new tooling version) with the Eduard etched set for it. I am also using the Tamiya Modern US Military Equip Set and Dragon US Tank Crew set on it too.

So far, the kit has gone together really well, no major hiccups with it. Stabbed myself a few times whilst removing various details from the kit for the replacement in the etched set. But I decided to keep certain items like the cameras from the kit, the etched one did not look to good in my opinion. The good thing about this kit, is that you can have various doors open on it. The bad point of this is that Dragon does not supply any detail for the rear, but Eduard does in the etched set. Now to my biggest headache so far, THE TRACKS........ A pain! They would not stay clipped togeter, so I had to glue them in sections. A total pain in the A##E.

The Panther is standing on the stand I'm making for it. It's going to be the inside of a compound in Iraq where the Panther has just arrived at. The crew have all of their kit loaded onboard from the journey from their old base. I hope to get this finished for ModelKraft in Febuary, but who knows?

Sorry about the photos quality, I took them on my phone quickly.

Mick














More info and photo's of this model and others are on my website.

Mick's Modelling Site

[Deleted]

That looks a superb build Mick, looking forward to seeing a bit more. Incidentally Mick, your web address link is incomplete.

[The Mechanic]

Sorry about that, dots and commas in the wrong places.

Mick

[The Mechanic]

Here we are again, another update on this project.

It's been nice having the Christmas week off work, I have been able to catch up on some modelling.

The Panther II is nearly finished!!! :partytime: The light is at the end of the tunnel after nearly a year since this model was started.

All of the main construction has been done with the main weathering finished. Most of the detailing has been done too, with just a few little bits and pieces left to do, i.e. a couple more bags, boxes and some rope. When these are done, a final bit of weathering to finish her off.

The stand has progressed too, with some painting, ballast and weathering done. But a bit more painting is required on the surface with some junk left on the ground for detail. After that's done, a little more weathering to finish off. You can see another figure leaning against the side panel. Well he is going to be removeable from the stand, in case I decide to enter this into any comps. I am also doing a naughty dog to go in the stand too. He's still being painted at the minute. So I think this will be finished over the weekend or just after.

Mick

[John Tapsell]

Mick,

Great model - one I've been thinking about for a long time myself.

I'd make one comment regarding the sideskirts. Only the first three on either side are 'ballistic' (armoured). The rest are just flat metal plate like standard bazooka plates on British MBTs.

If you're going to display the finished model with both front and rear plates hinged open, then ideally you need to show the difference in thickness. The front plates are full thickness of the kit parts with no inside 'lip' at the top, whilst the rear ones have a lip at the top and are much thinner - 15 or 20 thou at most in 1/35 scale.

Regards,
John

[The Mechanic]

It's now finished and can be found here.

ipmsuk.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=afv&thread=6711