Converting HL Panther "G" to a Late "A"

[jeff1101]

Hi dgsselkirk, just a thought. You might want to buy yourself these:



The HL panther still has the later G type large diameter idler wheels at the back. These will be more historically accurate on your beautiful Panther A.

Welshdragon models carry them for sale although they are currently out of stock.

http://www.welshdragonmodels.co.uk/asia ... 1296-p.asp

[dgsselkirk]

Thanks Jeff,

already have 2 sets as some of the early Gès had them as well. Also have the proper A sprockets to go with them. but if you see things let me know I might have forgot something but trying to be careful!

[dgsselkirk]

So more details...
Measured out the cleaning rod and antenna storage tube and began to build the covers. I scraped one opening to make the edging sharp and punched out 2 styrene ends. did a few to make sure I had 2 that would work.

Panther A 241.jpg (47.56 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

Panther A 242.jpg (40.85 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

Panther A 243.jpg (36.87 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

I then wrapped thin styrene around the ends and made the ring mounts exactly the way they are on the real thing

Panther A 244.jpg (66.69 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

Used crazy glue and glued them on in the right position and then used thin wire to draw them in tight to the body of the tube.

Panther A 245.jpg (59.45 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

Panther A 246.jpg (52.06 KiB) Viewed 5016 times

[dgsselkirk]

Next moved on to the spare track holders. These actually went quicker and easier than I thought! Measured out a strip for width and length then took a piece of brass rectangle tubbing and removed one side with a dremel to make a hollow square. I then cut using the dremel each independent section and smoothed them off to make uniform and drilled the holes for the locking pins. I then used my diagrams, pictures, and the spare track I am going to use to measure the spacing between each section. Made the locking pins out the appropriate size of copper wire, bent the ends and soldered small chain with a larger ring on the end.

Panther A 247.jpg (46.74 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

Panther A 248.jpg (53.46 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

Panther A 249.jpg (49.35 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

this is alook with the main parts mounted:

Panther A 250.jpg (54.85 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

I have decided since these mounts look so cool I am only going to put the spare tracks on one side and leave the other empty so here is what the one side will look like with them mounted. I should mention too that the spare track needs some detailing to make it look better and more realistic. The "teeth" need to be hollowed out and some little styrene strips added to represent the small ridges on the teeth. You can see I started on a couple of the teeth ...

Panther A 251.jpg (54.82 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

Panther A 252.jpg (63.25 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

Panther A 253.jpg (61.11 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

Keep in mind I will be leaving or removing a lot of the really fine detail (for example the grab handles and chains that go on the cleaning rod storage tube) to do the painting and then add it back later.

Next I wanted to finish up the jack detailing. I decided to make the early version as the jack that comes with the HL Panther most closely resembles it. Added handles, trimmed the handle to look better, added a little ratchet at the head and remade the jack crown out of styrene. I also sanded/carved/thinned different parts to look more realiatic. If the jack was to be down at the bottom of the rear hull I might not have done so much detail but it is going to be mounted between the exhausts up high and very visable to wanted to make it look better...

Panther A 254.jpg (89.56 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

Panther A 255.jpg (90.6 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

Panther A 256.jpg (91.33 KiB) Viewed 5015 times

[ALPHA]

OK Dgsellkirk... I have to know which museum I will have to visit to see this gem once it's painted


ALPHA

[hotte8487]

Hello Dean,

a super detailed work on your Panther; I'm very impressed.

[dgsselkirk]

WOW! 8 months since I last worked on my Panther A project! Was very busy with other builds but now I am determined to finish this up before the snow flies! I broke down and bought some Aber stuff. My god I don't know how anyone solders this stuff!

I have a hard enough time making it look 1/2 assed presentable. My hats off to the real pros out there who make it look really good. I was O.K. with the scratch built antenna/cleaning rod tube but figured why not upgrade it. So here is about 4 or 5 hours worth of work to make it just a bit fancier. . It didn't turn out too bad me thinks. I am going to leave the one end open for display but tack the cover down so that doesn't get lost running around! Still some clean up to do and a little zim fill but I like it...

Panther A 258.jpg (45.5 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

Panther A 259.jpg (49.1 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

Panther A 260.jpg (54.64 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

Panther A 261.jpg (50.96 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

[ALPHA]

Humble as ever Dgsselkirk....Me thinks you're correct...it did turn out not bad
If you should have any doubts...send it here before the snow falls...then you can make another that's better

ALPHA

[dgsselkirk]

LOL! It' just that I look at the pics on the package and some online shots and someone is able to do them perfectly!

Well, since you mentioned it. I have the complete Aber kit to do an early Panther G with zim too! That will be winter project. Not nearly as much conversion required as the "A"

Here is the exhaust mounted. I will be putting my favourite TARR 1 smoker with mega-steam in it of course! By the way, if anyone has some tricks for bending this tubing let me know! I did a hair dryer, hot water, I tried brass with a bender. Nothing really worked well. These were the best of an entire package of styrene tubing!!! The good part is if you look at the real thing they were actually pretty crude and rarely straight very long! Brass frame over the next few days...

Panther A 262.jpg (57.27 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

Panther A 263.jpg (40.77 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

Panther A 264.jpg (44.6 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

Panther A 265.jpg (43.18 KiB) Viewed 4928 times

[ALPHA]

Just wondering Dgsselkirk...how come you didn't use brass for those exhausts....it's way easier to bend and thinner too
Also ...have you ever tried these things



KD tubing benders...sold in most hobby shops
use them for years...works well once you get the technique down


ALPHA