Academy 1:25 Panther G Update: March 10th

[chromdome35]

This will be the build log for my build.  I have this exact thread going on another forum.  I'm just going to paste in my updates to get you up to date on this one.

This model was set up for motorization; however, I will be building it as a static model.

I have acquired the following aftermarket that will be used during the build: fenders, side skirts, engine deck grills, tool holders, replacement barrels for the main gun and both MG's, 2M antenna, and tow cable.


My goal is to represent a late Panther G from Kampfgruppe Peiper (Vehicle 301 of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstrandarte SS Adolf Hitler) during the Battle of the Bulge. I plan for the model to represent a tank that has been in battle and therefore has some external damage such as bent or missing fenders, side panels and tools. I may attempt to replicate one or two non-penetrating hits.

Camo will be based on late-war German tri-color in the Ambush style. Weathering will consist of general grime associated with being driven on muddy roads. Chipping and flash rust will be used on and around damaged parts of the vehicle. External stowage will be limited to camo netting, a bucket, and possibly a couple of tree mats (Logs wired together similar to a mat, to be used for traction in mud/snow)

These are the reference photos I'm using




Panther with Log "ladder"









Command tank w extra antennas


Reference books for the build





Before I start building, I've been going through the instructions and planning the build. I highlight areas where PE will be used and make notes of things to be careful about. I also write in page numbers of the various reference books I have that I will want to refer to during the build. Does anyone do something similar?



So let's get to work!

1st step was to fill in the motorization holes in the tub.


Then add the torsion bars


Because I hate sanding road wheels and this one only has 32 of them, I'm going to do those as I work on the rest of the model. The next step is to work on the back plate.

[chromdome35]

Spent the evening bending little brass pieces to make the fenders (That I may not use).

My soldering skills are suspect at best.

Btw, Aber PE instructions might be the vaguest, devoid of information, and worthless instructions I've ever seen, that is all.

[chromdome35]

I folded all of the PE required for the fenders and the skirts. I still have a couple of pieces to solder but I'm waiting on a new jar of solder paste to arrive (Sunday). The Aber photo etch worked like it should and other than some vauge instructions, the PE went together with no problem. The fenders are a bit tricky as you have to give a 90d bend to a bunch of little bitty teeth. These teeth form a zipper to connect the top and side.




I like to use this stuff for soldering. You just brush it where you want it and apply the heat. My current jar is almost dried out and I suspect that's why I may have been having issues, so I ordered some more. 


Once I had all the PE bent, I started the destruction process to remove the molded fenders. This wasn't too hard to accomplish, now I just need to clean it up. I did end up with this finger of plastic, I suspect I will need to remove it. The vertical plate of the bottom hull sits between the finger and the glacis plate; however, since both sides of the glacis rest against the vertical piece, the glacis can't shift if the finger is removed. On the 1:1, there was no finger of steel there.

[chromdome35]

Work continues...

I've fully removed the front fenders on both sides and cleaned up after the surgery. Still need to sand down the putty.



Next I added the missing sponson's. I did this using .8mm styrene sheet and some square rod.







While the putty was drying I soldered the PE for the fenders. I got in my new tub of solder paste. This is what it looks like, its akin to a very thick hobby putty.


I have a ceramic block that I use with toothpicks to hold the part in place while I apply the putty and solder it. This picture shows the solder paste before I hit it with the iron.


Afterwards


The Zipper


Not the best job, but better than I used to accomplish.

[chromdome35]

Back to the bench

Now that the sponsons are in I am turning my attention to texturing the hull, simulating flame cutting on the steel plates and redoing the kit weld beads.

Using my tamiya scriber, I slowly dig out the molded in weld beads


Once the weld beads are all removed and the cleanup is done, I texture the hull to represent rolled steel based on a technique shared by Night Shift in one of his videos. Cement is brushed onto the hull followed by quickly stipling the area with a stiff bristle brush.


Once completed, I stipple the plates using Mr. Disolved Putty.

After sanding the applied texture, I score the edges of the plates to represent flame cutting.

Then I put in new weld beads using Green Stuff. I texture the weld beads using a homemade tool cut from a soda can.



Texture, Welds, and Flame cutting are all visible.

[chromdome35]

And you are all caught up, I'm currently continuing to work on the weld beads.

[mikeh]

Impressive, myself I'm just an oob builder for the most part. As for p/e I have a love/hate relationship= I love to hate the stuff. In all honesty I do like it for engine deck screening and larger pieces it's when it comes to pieces like the
'zipper" pieces on the fenders you are working on it just puts me off. I just had a build in 1/72 where I had a lot of p/e to work with and while I amazed even myself with what I could accomplish I really would have preferred the plastic pieces.

I had this kit years ago and look forward to watch the progress. Is this kit back on the market or out of your stash?

[mikeh]

Thanks for the picture of the Panther with the camo netting, I have looked for German camo netting in the past and had very little luck finding any as the Germans just didn't use it that much preferring natural vegetation. Do you use gauze soaked in coffee or tea or just diluted paint?

[chromdome35]

Feb 19, 2023 15:03:55 GMT -5 mikeh said:

Impressive, myself I'm just an oob builder for the most part. As for p/e I have a love/hate relationship= I love to hate the stuff. In all honesty I do like it for engine deck screening and larger pieces it's when it comes to pieces like the
'zipper" pieces on the fenders you are working on it just puts me off. I just had a build in 1/72 where I had a lot of p/e to work with and while I amazed even myself with what I could accomplish I really would have preferred the plastic pieces.

I had this kit years ago and look forward to watch the progress. Is this kit back on the market or out of your stash?

It's out of my stash.  I have the sister kit 1:25 Jagdpanther as well.

I was planning on soaking the net in tea or coffee.

[Whiterook]

This build amazes me and is so impressive in so many ways, I lost count while reading it! The level you build at is just so phenomenal to me…far more skilled than I feel I’m at. Like Mike, I’m usually an out of the box builder, too. I’ve tried upping my game little by little, with scratchbuilding some or all of a model; increasing my familiarity and use of weathering; of late, dioramas; and just adding new concepts in general, as I see and learn them… basically, being a more proficient modeler. I’ve yet to use PE or a scriber, and I didn’t even know you could do that texturing with cement and a bristle brush! I’m a big believer in “Paying it Forward”, and threads like this are perfect examples… it’s what we try to do here at the DropZone every thread 

I took note of something that brought a smile to my face… I’ve never seen so many sanding sticks on a workbench in my life! Awesome!

On the question of instruction highlighting and notation, yes, I do that, as well. I cross off the pieces I’ve completed as I go, too…so I don’t get lost in the sauce! The instructions on some built kits could be used as artwork, haha.

I mentioned this at MSC… I appreciate build logs like this, that explain the parts (i.e., sponsons). One of the things I noticed upon returning to model building (as in, I’ve JUST returned to model building!) is, I’ve forgotten a sh$t-ton of the real world names of vehicle parts! I know, I was shocked too!!! I’m finding it difficult now, to write build logs without using descriptives like, “spikey thingie with the blobby bottom” 

I also love build logs that give reference photos for historical reference, as well as build inspiration!

…and please…feel free to port over any threads from MSC!

[chromdome35]

I’ve never seen so many sanding sticks on a workbench in my life! Awesome!

I'm like a junkie looking for a fix when it comes to sanding stuff, I can't resist buying them.

I'm glad my rambling posts are helpful. I find it fun to talk about what we do. I'm always open to thoughts and critiques. The feedback helps us get better.

[chromdome35]

An abbreviated update to my build thread

I have been extremely busy with work and haven't had as much time at the bench as I would like, but work feeds my modeling habit, so I guess I'll keep working.

What time I have had at the bench has been spent doing two things, finishing the weld beads on the rear of the tank and trying to increase the detail of the jack that came with the kit.

The Aber photo etch set of 1/25 German tie downs and assorted tools also included a jack bracket. It isn't an exact match for the one on the back of the Panther G, but it's really close and Tobi's probably the only person who would notice it isn't right . Bending it was no issue, but building the hinges and attaching the hinge part was exceedingly difficult for me. I spent hours working on it to achieve a mediocre result.



I also cut off the molded carry handles and replaced them with wire. I bent them on purpose to give a little character.

I also changed out the rotary handle with a scratch-built one.



Here is the almost finished result, the little microscopic wingnut that holds it closed was devoured by the carpet monster. I think I will just replace it with a piece of circular styrene.



With the jack mounted on the rear.



That PE bracket almost drove me insane, glad that is behind me.

I'm trying to decide if I should texture the back plate and the top plate of the body before I proceed. I think I am almost to job end on the body enhancements and can proceed with the rest of the build.

As always, your comments and feedback are very appreciated.

[mikeh]

When replacing grab handles and what not with wire what kind of wire do you use and how do you bend it to it's proper shape? I would think you would not want to use a to soft wire that could be knocked out of shape easily or do you? I save bread bag twist ties but I only use those for turnbuckles on WW1 airplanes.

[chromdome35]

Mar 1, 2023 3:00:18 GMT -5 mikeh said:

When replacing grab handles and what not with wire what kind of wire do you use and how do you bend it to it's proper shape? I would think you would not want to use a to soft wire that could be knocked out of shape easily or do you? I save bread bag twist ties but I only use those for turnbuckles on WW1 airplanes.

For handles I almost always use copper wire, in this case I believe it was 26 gauge wire.  They are pretty sturdy, I haven't had a problem with them bending after they are installed on the model.  I have a bending tool I got from UMM that I use to make them.  

umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?cPath=21_225&products_id=2979

[mikeh]

Cool, thanks for the info. I do like the way you spruced up the jack.