Tamiya Jagdpanther and Plate Spinning
Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 9:41 am
Update: I started this thread back in February. Since then, the Earth has undergone an enforced transformation- courtesy of microbial malice. The world's economy has also gone to Hell in a huge handcart, making the acquisition of Tamiya parts difficult. In some instances, the factory may not produce certain models, nor related parts, in future. For this reason, I've decided to give my static Jagdpanther a transfusion of parts from my Full-Option Panther. Why? Well, odd though it may seem, I actually prefer the look of the Jagdpanther. What's more, whilst I have other tank-destroyer projects going, I don't actually have a fully functional one to test, out in the garden, currently. Details will be added shortly. Meantime, the original Feb text begins here:-
Back in the 1950s, when we only had one TV channel, the BBC (and then later ITV), jugglers (and other circus acts) were often seen as suitable material for entertaining the postwar masses.
Some juggled with balls and clubs; even sticks on fire. Others lay on their backs, and juggled with curled up people (usually diminutive diamante-clad women, with surgically implanted smiles). The ones that bugged me most of all, however (and don't ask me why I don't like jugglers ), were the plate spinners. Here's one: If you're one of those people who hops from project to project, without completely finishing the last one- and you live in a 99% complete world, then, you'll understand why I used to have nightmares about Plate Spinners when I was a kid. It's a symbol for too many choices and things to do, with not enough time.
I have nearly finished the Tamiya Panzer IV, The Tamiya Panther, the Comet, and the Cromwell but now I'm spinning another plate: the Tamiya Jagdpanther.
I bought this Static version some little while ago, on the basis that it would soon be deleted by Tamiya. I won't give build details, as there are already a couple of Jagdpanther threads currently active (Sevoblast and Pitstain). What's more, there are a couple of Panther builds in the archive.
Here's what you get in the competitively priced display kit: Given the price of the display model, with a bit of judicious shopping around for the internals, it should be possible to build the Full-Option offering, without taking on a second job washing dishes.
Well, that's the theory, anyway.
It didn't quite work out with the Pz IV, which was entirely built from online spares (mostly sourced from 'Axel's...') and donations.
Lately, though, I was able to get the DMD-MF-04 and DMD T-03 units it needs at half prive (brand new). That's already a massive saving on the eye-wateringly prived full-option kit.
I've also acquired most of the bits for the internal real estate, as well: elevation motor, recoil, and so on. Rotation's not realy needed.
I build the kit in a couple of days and, like my other Tamiyas, it has been primed and painted in Tamiya Dunkelgelb, awaiting (the plate spinning) unit markings, camo and (mild) weathering.
Right now, it looks like this:
As per normal, do click to ENLARGE smaller pics.
Back in the 1950s, when we only had one TV channel, the BBC (and then later ITV), jugglers (and other circus acts) were often seen as suitable material for entertaining the postwar masses.
Some juggled with balls and clubs; even sticks on fire. Others lay on their backs, and juggled with curled up people (usually diminutive diamante-clad women, with surgically implanted smiles). The ones that bugged me most of all, however (and don't ask me why I don't like jugglers ), were the plate spinners. Here's one: If you're one of those people who hops from project to project, without completely finishing the last one- and you live in a 99% complete world, then, you'll understand why I used to have nightmares about Plate Spinners when I was a kid. It's a symbol for too many choices and things to do, with not enough time.
I have nearly finished the Tamiya Panzer IV, The Tamiya Panther, the Comet, and the Cromwell but now I'm spinning another plate: the Tamiya Jagdpanther.
I bought this Static version some little while ago, on the basis that it would soon be deleted by Tamiya. I won't give build details, as there are already a couple of Jagdpanther threads currently active (Sevoblast and Pitstain). What's more, there are a couple of Panther builds in the archive.
Here's what you get in the competitively priced display kit: Given the price of the display model, with a bit of judicious shopping around for the internals, it should be possible to build the Full-Option offering, without taking on a second job washing dishes.
Well, that's the theory, anyway.
It didn't quite work out with the Pz IV, which was entirely built from online spares (mostly sourced from 'Axel's...') and donations.
Lately, though, I was able to get the DMD-MF-04 and DMD T-03 units it needs at half prive (brand new). That's already a massive saving on the eye-wateringly prived full-option kit.
I've also acquired most of the bits for the internal real estate, as well: elevation motor, recoil, and so on. Rotation's not realy needed.
I build the kit in a couple of days and, like my other Tamiyas, it has been primed and painted in Tamiya Dunkelgelb, awaiting (the plate spinning) unit markings, camo and (mild) weathering.
Right now, it looks like this:
As per normal, do click to ENLARGE smaller pics.