Sd.Kfz. 179 Bergepanther. Italeri 1/35

[minitnkr]

Not just Panthers. The Tiger groups valued the Bergepanthers highly as well. They were pretty much the most effective recovery vehicle available. PaulE

[Mini Me]

I'm with Greame, your three color is great has nice balance of colors on wheels as well. If I remember correctly the big push to get panthers ready for the Battle of Kursk
would place it in the summer months. Only thing is I don't know if they sent Bergies to Russia with the first Panthers used in combat.:thumb2:
Cheers, Rick H.

[prichrd1]

Ian,

I'm with the rest of the rabble, three colour looks o.k.
From what I can gather the tanks were used in Kursk and probably in later battles in Russia.
The aim was to supply every tank division with at least two of these type of recovery vehicles
- so really it's up to you - after all it is your model :thumb2::thumb2:

Paul.
:smiling:

[Si Benson]

Morning Ian,

Coming together nicely. Paint looks fine to me:thumb2:

[Ian M]

Hmm thanks chaps. To many to name so a collective thanks!
I was thinking that there could be a bit more yellow, as the green and brown have taken over a bit to much? I'ii have another look later and think it over, over a cup of coffee.
Then its a matt coat and some filters to tone it all down and bring it together a bit.

Re the Eastern front. Would all the camo patterns been the same style across the board of would a mish-mash of different camouflage been seen?

[Mini Me]

Hi Ian . My understanding is that each unit applied their own camo scheme at that point in the war. So a mish mash would be appropriate.
Rick H.

[scottie3158]

Ian,
The cammo looks good to me.

[Guest]

Ian,
Nothing wrong with your paint. If you are not really happy you can always go over it again and reduce or enhance different colours, thin out the lines etc, remember the guys that put on the original in real life were not exactly artists. Some of the guys I have seen painting the real stuff.......
Cheers, Mike.

[minitnkr]

I think the camo looks fine Ian. Weathering blends the colors a bit usually. The early Bergepanthers were basically turret removed, wooden decking & hatch over the hole. They were w/o winch & spade, but had the heavy duty hitch, engine/trans. hoist & ditching/push beam & mounts. These were the ones seen sometimes modified w/AAA guns later. The large winch opening, work platform, elimination of front hatches, spade, heavy winches, & 2cm. gun were later refinements. Your model is the latter, so likely after Kursk. Almost any camo scheme is acceptable as can be seen in photos as some assembly plants took care & some just used the basic color of the time or what was at hand. Many were field applied in haphazard fashion. I ramble, coffees ready. PaulE

[Ian M]

OK. I had a think. Hit the paint and now I'm drinking the coffee!
Not a great difference but I think the balance is better.
Not much changed, just a couple of yellow patches/stripes. Also have sprayed over the camo on the inside of the "deck fences"

Also 'tidied' the rear deck a bit and reduced some serious overspray.
I'll most likely matt coat it tomorrow, maybe even paint the winch compartment floors.
Right lets be hearing it.

[scottie3158]

Ian,
I think that has achieved a better balance even though it looked good enough before.

[Ian M]

Spent a bit of time dodging the wind and rain yesterday. Got most of the tools and bits nailed on and after much agro got those rubber band tracks sort of on the way I wanted them.
Now for a swipe of paint where the tool holders/brackets need colour matching to the hull !
Any one know if these things had an antenna? I think I found the base do da on the engine deck behind the winch house....


As you might see I have given the whole thing a wash/filter. Worked OK if I say so myself...
The rather bright shinny bits are not near as bright as they look. Next up. Weather.....

[scottie3158]

Ian,
That is looking rather tasty. The paint job looks very good.

[BattleshipBob]

Hi Ian

Sorry tad late, very impressive and great paint job!!

Bob

[Guest]

Any one know if these things had an antenna? I think I found the base do da on the engine deck behind the winch house....

The normal Panther had it mounted on the engine deck, on the very left directly above the last roadwheel. The Bergepanther drawings in Spielberger’s Der Panzerkampfwagen Panther und seine Abarten show an antenna there as well.