I revamped and repainted my Panther.
It used to look like this:
Original build.
I was never really happy with it and now, after a couple of years of motoring, I did a revamp.
The revamp included:
Zimmerit.
Better detailing.
HL turret mechanism.
Asiatam exchangeable Schmalturm Panther F turret.
Opening drivers and radio operator hatches from wecohe.
Asiatam metal road wheels.
Early Mantlet, just trimmed off the chin.
Past refits before this major overhaul included fitting Asiatam 3/1 gearboxes and Jamara 480 motors.
Here are some pics shortly before painting: (sorry for the chopped up photos, it looks like I having that cropped picture problem again, but you get the jist of it and can load the full pic by right clicking on it and choosing the option show picture/or similar)
This is how the turret mechanism looks from the inside, it is much more reliable and robust as compared with the original Tamiya unit. I even glued in the HL turret ring from the deck of the donor model, so the whole turret mechanism is HL, lock stock and barrel.
There is a servo under the drivers periscope that swivels as the tank turns. There is also a mini servo under the drivers hatch for a driver that can also look left and right as he steers his tank.
http://s468.photobucket.com/albums/rr43 ... erPeri.mp4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here are photos of the model as an early model G Panther with Zimmerit, early curved mantle, early exhausts and other early details:
Here are photos of the same Panther with a Schmalturm fitted, just imagine that the early Panther G has been upgraded with a Panther F turret after battle damage to the original turret sometime in 1946 in a "what if" scenario.
The Asiatam turret comes with no internal mechanical parts and so a Tamiya elevation unit and recoil unit were fitted, plus a socket and IR diode for the battle unit.
Here is a movie of the Panther F (früh) going into battle against a M26Pershing in Delmenhorst.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dd7ALxPm74" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hope you like it.
Alan
