Panther II Hybrid

[SCHWEREPANZER]

For Major RecceReg, your wish is my command. I took only one picture of the 'interior' layout, but Chris Ludwig's build manual does show it well. Mine is no different. I picture them here assuming Chris's implicit permission.

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The torsion bar blades are anchored with a two-part epoxy.

[Ad Lav]

Ralph, did you not think of using the Tamiya king tiger wheels for the build? Plastic inserts, metal rims. String and lightweight.

I am fitting them to my Jagdpanther build.

[SCHWEREPANZER]

The question is asked by our colleague STHV as to the turret to be mounted in this Panther II. The matter has been set in stone at this point, but I'll defer the answer for the moment so as to more or less proceed with the chronological build of the model.

Priming, as it always does, revealed the warts and flaws to what I thought at the time looked to be a model ready for the paint booth. The bump stops for the hatches are not yet in place in the photo, but some of the 'weld' has been set. The width of the interior bracing is critical as it determines the closeness of the weld opening when the side panels are set into place. This was a cause, for me at least, of some measure of frustration. The primer used was Mr. Surfacer 500 spray. It applies like butter. Just a great product. It's a little more gritty than Mr. Surfacer 1500. The idea was to provide for more tooth for paint to grab onto.

As mentioned in the thread title, this is a hybrid Panther II, incorporating features of other Panthers more or less at whim, but with a certain plan in mind. Here, Panther fans will immediately see that the driver's and radio operator's hatches are those designed for the Panther G and F, not those of the Panther D and and A variants. The hatch hinges were cut from a set of Trumpeter hatches. The trumpeter hatches were considerably larger than those now in place.

Though difficult to make out, texture to simulate rolled steel has been applied to the sloping side panels (as well as the glacis and rear plate). I utilized the method as seen on Martin Kovac's "Night Shift Models" u-tube presentations. Entertaining and just full of useful information , he makes the difficult look at least doable. He uses Tamiya Putty Basic Type, Mr. Hobby Mister Cement S thin cement (or Tamiya thin cement). Rather than describe it, I simply direct anyone interested to his great videos. I admit my palms were more than a little damp before attempting this myself, especially after all the effort I had put in to get the model to this point. It worked on an old 1/35 Tamiya Panther I've had for decades, so I gave it a go. Once I got started, and the dye was cast, I grew to the topic and I'm quite pleased with the effect. Other photos in the build will show this a bit better I hope.

A bit of a heavy hand initially with the welding torch has, over time, given way to what I hope was a more delicate touch seen later in the build...another learning curve.

To be continued...

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Hey Adam,

Yes I did, but the Tamiya axle pins didn't fit the Taigen swing arms. The Taigen Tiger II wheels do add unnecessary weight, but their axles fit the swing arms when tightened with grub screws.

[STHV]

Ausf F actually had sliding hatches which is one of the biggest differences between an F and a G hull, beside each hatch on an F there are two little raised runners for the hatches to slide on
Thats also how we know at least one F hull saw combat in Berlin with a G turret

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Right you are. My error. Thanks.

[c.rainford73]

This is a very interesting and excellent build. Following along

[SCHWEREPANZER]

Once again, in collaboration with PatrickH, and in keeping with the 'what if" character of this Panther II, I wanted to add the FG 1250 IR box to the rear plate. Working off a similar one I had on a hybrid Panther F, we came up with this one.

The locking mechanism is functional. Again, Kudos to PatrickH.

References to the FG 1250 IR box suggest the structural frame is welded. Taking a bit a license to what is after all a "what if" tank, I added reinforcing bolts to the frame.

The box is held in place with modeling clay just to obtain a visual perspective of the box with its surroundings and even then not in the exact place I would finally attach it.

The mounting lugs and hanging brackets for what would have been those for a standard Panther stowage box can be seen on the left side of the lower hull. The bracing bracket for the exhaust stacks are not yet mounted.

[Ad Lav]

Really nice piece - some visual delights on this tank that’s for sure!

[FredtheFrench]

Awesome tank model and awesome job. Little question, where do you found the little hooks around the fans on rear deck?