HL Panther G customization diary

[jeff1101]

Updates cont'd

Encouraged by the cupola lid, I decided to add some more detail texture to the turret front face, the mantlet and the MG ball cover on the front glacis plate. I took the technique for adding the texture from this link.

http://gamerabaenre.com/?page_id=1417



So i bought a couple of different size brushes and of course Mr. surfacer 500.

For detailing the areas mentioned I decided to use 2 methods for applying Mr Surfacer.


First, I cut regular dish washing foam to small square sections.


For large flat areas I used foam dipped in Mr. Surfacer and stippled it to the area I wanted to add texture to.


For narrow areas where the foam would be too broad, I used a brush instead

[jeff1101]

Updates cont'd

Here are the results after adding the cast steel texture effect.


Cast effect on the machine gun ball mount.


The commander's cupola. I used texture effect using Mr. Surfacer for the side of the cupola and stippled tamiya plastic cement for the top of the cupola (along the periscope perimeter) since I wanted the texture effect to be more subtle here.


Here is a close up of the turret front face. Unlike the turret top and sides which were welded from flat rolled steel, the front face of the turret was a single piece of cast steel. I tried here to hide the plastic join seams that is visible using Mr. Surfacer. Not satisfied I even gauged the surface (while still wet) using the fat end of a pin to re-create the bubble?? marks and imperfections when the steel did not conform entirely to its mold.

[jeff1101]

Updates Jun 2

The upgrade parts from welshdragon arrived 2 days ago and I plan to install some of them today. I ordered:

- Asiatam Set of stronger springs
- ModellBau plastic side skirts
- ModellBau plastic exhaust holders
- ModelllBau plastic rear column light holder
- ModellBau plastic spare track holders
- ModellBau mantlet detail set
- Pedinghaus fire extinguisher decals

As you'll notice the majority of the parts are mainly plastic (ModellBau). The reason for this is that I'm more comfortable working with this material than PE. I'm also more confident cementing plastic parts together than metal to plastic.

[jeff1101]

Updates cont'd

I started this mod, with fairly simple goals, but now the customization bug has bit me big time. Buying detail parts and adding them to the tank begs for another detail part and so on. Hopefully I''ll be finished with this soon so I can get on to the next phase which is painting.

Anyway since I was detailing the turret and gun mantlet, I decided to add the mantlet detail set from Modellbau.


The detail set consist of a pair of mantlet lifting lugs made from machined aluminum and a pair of plastic brackets for attaching something??? to the left mantlet side.



I installed the lifting lugs first. I made sure both lugs are level with each other by putting masking tape so I can measure the lugs placement relative to each other. I then made pencil marks where the holes for the lugs will be.



With that done, I just drilled a hole on the mantlet side. Not too big as I wanted the lugs to be a tight fit to the hole.



And here is one of the lugs attached with Loctite CA glue.


Next it was just a simple matter of gluing the brackets to the mantlet side.

[jeff1101]

Update cont'd

Since all the detail for the mantlet has been done I can now also add cast texture to the mantlet itself.


To do this I first lifted the edge of the rain guard using toothpicks so I can dab Mr Surface underneath it with a paint brush.


I also dabbed Mr Surfacer on all edges/holes sights etc of the mantlet with the brush.


Finally I finished the entire mantlet by dabbing the rest of the area with foam dipped with Mr Surfacer. I then sanded the mantlet to smooth out the too prominent bumps. I did this because compared to the rest of the cast parts on the original panther, the mantlet itself was fairly smooth.

[magmer]

If you can't find any Mr Surfacer you can make your own by using a mixture of Acetone and Liquid poly (MEK is better if you can get it { methyl ethyl ketone} ) mix in a bottle putting left over plastic sprue in. Leave it for a couple of days give it a stir and 'Hey Presto' a bottle of Mr Surfacer!

[jeff1101]

I wouldn't know where to buy MEK. Also I read somewhere that its quite dangerous?

[jeff1101]

sorry double post.

[littletankman]

Fantastic work mate

[jeff1101]

Thanks guys. Also since I bought the stronger spring set I've been meaning to remove the wheels to attach the new springs. I know to remove them I have to expose the screws that hold the wheel in place and they're covered by a plastic cap. My question is, Is there a particular tool you use to pry the caps off? I've been thinking of a tool that wont scuff? the caps in the process. Any ideas? Replies with how-to pics are greatly appreciated.