ICM 1/35 Bergepanther - Early Variant

[Dave Ward]

First, add the roadwheels - the sprocket ( not glued ) overlaps the first double wheel, so you have to add them together.... I haven't added the outer layer of single wheels, they get in the way of touching up!

The bottom run is added, using a spot of CA on each double wheel. The front links assembly is pressed onto the sprocket & then turned, so the ends of the track meet up and are CA'd together....................

A similar process is used with the idler, except the track is glued to the idler - this is then turned, so the ends of the track meet up.
The first bit of the top run is added, from the idler forwards, again a dot of CA is added to secure to the wheels.
You have to improvise to keep the parts together until they set....................

The upper runs are tricky on the ICM Panther, purely due to the lack of space between wheels and sponsons/mud guards the last pieces are a bit like keyhole surgery! You can measure the number of links roughly, but I'm usually one or two links under/over in my lengths ( better to be under, as you can add links - removing them can be a pain! )

Not the tidiest of tracks, but, as long as the lower runs are OK, then that's fine. The uneven top runs will be covered by the schurzen! I need to retouch the paints & add the outer wheels before calling the running gear complete & I can turn to the uppers.
Dave

[Guest]

That seems to have gone pretty well, all things considered. And like you say, if there’s going to be Schürzen on the tank, if there’s a little unevenness or poor fit at the top, it’s no real problem.

[Dave Ward]

Touched up & outer roadwheels added.

This will be put aside now & the upper hull taken in hand.............
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Wow, this is moving along at a cracking pace Dave.

[The Smythe Meister]

Very nice indeed Dave,
Really like the colour on the tracks :thumb2: ,
Andy

[Graeme C.]

Looking good Dave, I had the same trouble with the tracks on a Dragon Panther.

[Dave Ward]

Upper hull finished, just a load of little fittings & that turret ring blanking plate...................

I just have to add the wingnuts around the blanking plate ( job for a new day & steady hands ). I found I had a Eduard PE fret for the Dragon Panther - the oblong grilles will fit OK, the round ones may need a bit of trimming. Nearing the upper hull priming stage..............
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Ready to join the uppers & lowers..................

All primed with my £5.29 airbrush! does what is says on the tin! Neither better nor worse than my other airbrushes, but at a significantly lower cost ( not that that's important to me! :rolling: ). I'm going to add camouflage green patches - but these will be hard edged, like they were applied by hand brush.
All the tools have been left off, as well as the booms for the little crane, they'll be added at the finish..........
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Getting to the final stretch now!

No real problems - firm pressure only needed! No filler needed! I'll paint the green camo, then add all the tools etc, before weathering overall.
Dave

[adt70hk]

Dave

That's coming on very nicely indeed. Love the track primer a great idea. I get a similar colour using separate steps but similar colours..... Never occurred to me to combine it all together.

Keep up the good with good work.

Andrew

[The Smythe Meister]

Yep,very nice indeed Dave,
The grilles really look the part already :thumb2: ,
Andy

[Dave Ward]

Dave

That's coming on very nicely indeed. Love the track primer a great idea. I get a similar colour using separate steps but similar colours..... Never occurred to me to combine it all together.

Keep up the good with good work.

Andrew

Andrew,
wait until you're almost out of black primer - then add to the bottle the browns, metallics, matt varnish etc - but don't forget to relabel the bottle! - it beats paying £5+ for a bottle of proprietary track primer!
Dave

[adt70hk]

Andrew,
wait until you're almost out of black primer - then add to the bottle the browns, metallics, matt varnish etc - but don't forget to relabel the bottle! - it beats paying £5+ for a bottle of proprietary track primer!
Dave

Great idea....I need to check but think I'm almost out of my current one ...

[Tim Marlow]

That’s looking lovely Dave.

[Dave Ward]

This will be the last picture posted in the 'under construction' section - I've painted the green camo:

I'll add the tools & spare tracklinks before washing & weathering, adding the crane bits & finally sealing all with matt varnish. I may not get this finished tomorrow, as I've got to go to the dentist in the morning for some drilling & reconstruction :sad: I may have to recuperate the rest of the day..............
Dave