Paul's (tricky) Normandy Panthers in 1/35 & 1/16

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Everyone


Well, this is my contribution to the 'Panzers' GB


3 Normandy Panthers 


I'm building all 3 together because i find it less time consuming. What I mean by this is: any research on the subject can be done in one go, and you are less likely to forget the stuff you're finding out; building can be done in batches, soldering for instance becomes more time efficient; and painting obviously becomes quicker as you're mixing the same colour for 3 vehicles; etc, etc. Essentially what i'm saying is that to do these 3 at once will take me less time than tackling the 3 on separate occasions.


Now these builds will be completed but the painting phase may well be out of the GB time scale, the reason for this will become apparent when you see the after market stuff to go with these 3 kits (see pics). But I do absolutely promise that these builds will be finished and I am starting tomorrow!


Anyway here's the kits...


The Tamiya 1/16 RC Panther G plus quite a few accessories (I will be converting this to the Early type G).





The Dragon 1/35 Panther G (Early) + a few bit and bobs (a set of Fruil tracks probably being the most expensive). This could end up being a mini-me version of the kit above possibly in the same markings.





The Dragon 1/35 Panther A (Late) + a cheeky aftermarket product or 2! (I think the tracks are Bronco but because I get rid of the packaging to fit them in the kit box I can't quite remember)





And finally a bit of light reading courtesy of my bookshelf...





I hope this is of interest and you'll join me for the journey.


Thanks


P

[papa 695]

3 great kits Paul I'm going to watch these however long it takes.

[Guest]

Lovely! 3 Panthers to enjoy & that Tamiya 1/16 one is an expensive kit - I've seen them on eBay for £400-500 


Now I hope these won't go the way of your multiple Spitfire build Paul

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks Ian/Patrick


I think these will progress rapidly over the next two weeks and I hope to have all the build stages done by the end of July.

Now I hope these won't go the way of your multiple Spitfire build Paul 

•  
  
  

The Spits were all finished Patrick, I even built 2 more! but I just thought everyone would be bored stiff of Mk 1 Spitfires by then. If you mean will they get finished, well it won't be through a lack of trying. I'll be working fairly flat out over the next 2 weeks.


Cheers


P

[Guest]

This thread will be really interesting.....


Thanks for join in Paul

[monica]

well Paul,you have my attention and interest on this build,all very nice German amour, 9_9

[Guest]

Thanks Ian/Patrick


I think these will progress rapidly over the next two weeks and I hope to have all the build stages done by the end of July.


The Spits were all finished Patrick, I even built 2 more! but I just thought everyone would be bored stiff of Mk 1 Spitfires by then. If you mean will they get finished, well it won't be through a lack of trying. I'll be working fairly flat out over the next 2 weeks.


Cheers


P

I must have missed them!  :/  I'll have a gander coz they looked great.

[tr1ckey66]

...And we're off!


So it's July 1st and so the GB begins. I've made what I think is quite bit of progress on the RC Panther. I've completed the suspension and I'm well on my way with the wheel builds.


Here's the completed Panther suspension... 





Tamiya RC tanks adopt the same torsion bar system employed by real Panzers and the sytem is ok and fairly straight forward to fit. Previously I have replaced this system (on my RC Tamiya Tiger 1) for a much more adjustable spring-system from Wecohe. This time though I'm going to go with the stock system and I'll note the differences when running the 2 together.


And here's the track tensioning units installed...





Here's how the swing arms look...





The contraption holding the tank chasis up is a stand I knocked up to aid painting my Tiger and is really useful for 1/16 tanks.


Finally I forged ahead and steamed into the wheel construction...





Note the Hobbyzone work station!


The wheels are not yet complete as I've stopped in order to base paint them before going further. I can still remove the tyres...





And that's it so far. I'm fairly pleased with the progress today but I think it may slow down a bit for the next instalment. Tomorrow I tackle the rear stowage bins which means a day of soldering. Now don't get me wrong a like soldering but it could never be described as a quick task.


Till then I hope you like the progress so far.


Cheers


Paul

[Guest]

Wow. Don’t seems a kit! Looks like an enginery project!!!  

[tr1ckey66]

[COLOR=rgb(39,42,52)]Wow. Don’t seems a kit! Looks like an enginery project!!![/COLOR]

You're right Polux in these early stages an RC Tank build seems more like Meccano than a plastic model kit!


Cheers


P

[geegad]

Not only three but after market on them as well you are a brave man..


Ive always wanted a rc tamiya tank so must confess thats my favourite of the trio 


But im along for th ride on all three 

[monica]

very nice progress on this one so far looking good,

[Guest]

Nice progress so far, you have my attention.

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks for dropping by guys (and gal!)


Soldering and Photo etch


Today i began work on the rear stowage bins for the RC Panther. These are photo etch items by Aber and were soldered together to maintain strength. As with all the 1/16 Aber fittigs with care the hinges and clamps can be made workable. That said this is not a quick process and the two bins below took all day and are still not finished!. I've made the hinges work but I've yet to add the clamps to secure the lids. I've also to add the various fittings to hang the bins on to the hull of the tank.


It's not much but is a lot of work...


First the bin





Working hinges...





And the pair of almost complete bins on the instructions...





Hope to get these complete tomorrow and make a start on the front fenders.


Cheers


Paul

[Guest]

Cracking start Paul, definitely following this build,looking forward to the next update buddy.