Si B's-Meng Jagdpanther Ausf. G1

[Si Benson]

Afternoon,
Back in September, I took a visit to my folks place in Spain. While there I assembled Mengs Jagdpanther and took pictures along the way. It was a while ago now, but I Thought I’d share the process with you, since I'm just getting onto the painting.

Reviews say it’s one of the most accurate renditions of a Jagdpanther available.....Here’s the box art.

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link to some sprue shots


Construction starts with wheels. I was happy to see the use of polycaps in the wheels...should make tracks and paint a lot easier.

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Next up the hull. A multipart affair but has some clever engineering making it very straightforward and fool proof. I believe there are extras you can buy if you want to do torsion bars and interior bits?
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More to come shortly...

[Si Benson]

Cont.....

A quick picture of the temporary bench...
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Swing arms attached. Some clever location slots make sure you get the right arms in the right place and such a good fit I’ve not used any glue!

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Then onto the upper hull. Starts with a clever frame and attachment of the mudguards and engine deck...some small holes to drill here.
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more to come...

[scottie3158]

Si,
Count me in for this chair pulled up.

[Si Benson]

Theres always one that cant wait :smiling5:...hello Scottie:thumb2:


Fan units go onto the engine deck...
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They’ve even detailed the underside of the mudguard with screw heads
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Next up...tracks!
3 full sprues of tracks and two guide horns to add to each individual track...challenge accepted!

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Spent about 2 hours removing and cleaning up one sprues worth (73 tracks) there are 87 links to each side according to the instructions...but we all know that could be either more of less


Before clean up. 3 connection points per link make for an involved clean up!
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All done...only another 100 or so to do:flushed:


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That's it for now until I can sort some more pictures out!

[Si Benson]

Some track action next.
Each track requires x2 guide horns adding.
I Held a row of tracks down with some blue tac, then all I had to do was pick out a horn and drop it into place with a spot of glue. An hour saw 140 horns added...
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Snipped of the remaining tracks ready for clean up tonight.
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Moved on to the next step of assembly.... the casement. Before assembly you are required to drill out the correct position for various hull attachments. Being that the kit covers 4 versions, you need to pay attention to which holes go with which variant.
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Then everything lined up and stuck together....
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again a nice fit of parts...

[AlanG]

One of my fave tanks so i'm defo watching this

[Si Benson]

Good to see you Al, pull up a pew, drinks will be served shortly:tongue-out3:

Cont....
right then, short and sweet. Exhaust parts and jack fitted.
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My little track assembly production line...
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All 175 track cleaned up and horns added

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More in a mo....

[scottie3158]

Si,
Coming on nicely mate, rather you than me on the guide horns lol.

[Si Benson]

Cont......

Rear deck and casement sides kitted out..
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more in a mo....

[Si Benson]

Mg ball mount added and main gun interior parts assembled.
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I got on with track assembly and finishing up the Photo etch odds and sods.
The tracks are left unglued in a couple of Locations so they can be painted easier....
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So it went together nicely, just a few more steps and then paint (which I've already started)
more sooon:upside:

[Allen Dewire]

Howdy Mr. Benson,

This is a fine looking build, but one thing worries me a little. Is this going to be a burnt out wreck??? In the photo of your workbench, on the right side, I noticed a gasoline canister. I think too much of Dzhon has rubbed off on you!!! Or was that for the lawnmower……….Hmmmm!!!

I will be following this as I too, love my Kittys. Which unit are you depicting in the build as I have never seen the cleaning rod tube mounted in front of the the rear intakes. On the late models it was mounted behind them in front of the exhaust pipes. Must have been a unit thing of the 654th in the Ruhr…

Prost
Allen

[Fernando N]

I’ll follow along too Si, Jagdpanther is one of my fav TD’s.
Nice clean build so far and brave man for tackling those tracks, looking forward to see the paint.:thumb2:

Oh and nice bench set-up over there with a great view.:smiling:

[scottie3158]

Si,
That is a cracking build the tracks look well worth the time and effort. Bring on the paint.

[Steve Jones]

Hello mate. Glad you showed this one to the forum. Looks like a cracking kit. I wont give the game away with the wet stuff:thumb2:

[Jim R]

Hi Si
Poor you. Fancy having to work at that bench. Warm sunshine, a beautiful view, a cold one at the ready - life can be a toil!! :tongue-out3:

That looks a great kit in all respects. Meng do have a good reputation. Really neat construction so bring on the paint.
Jim