The 1st Panther is Started........

[majordisastor]

Well Jaybird you are off toa flying start !!

You are certainly blowing away your 30ish years of dust off with a flying start and well chosen upgrades ..

The Heng Long Panther is a quality peice of kit, sorting its suspension brings it right up to a higher standard altogether.

Like you I have many years between models so will be watching your progress with interest - you have some interesting ideas upyour worksop sleave -go for it !!

Andy

[JayBrd]

Thanks Andy!

There's not been too much progress the last few days due to some family stuffs. But been playing with the rear bulkhead for a bit today..


I decided to use some "donated" nuts from some of the plastic roadwheels for the convoy light bracket until my hex rods show.


I think Jason set a new shipping record! ordered on Monday, received on Thursday!! I can't get anything that fast even if coming from the next State over!


For the guys wondering how close Tam stuff is to the HL Panther, it seems VERY close on the turret..

A lot of the smaller detail parts are just as close if not spot on also.

I think the hardest part of this build is holding off playing with the next one before this one is done!!
"teaser shot"

[bhop73]

Looks sweet so far!

[magmer]

Excellent work, going to mod any wobbly idlers with your idea. Many thanks

[JayBrd]

Got the itch to mess with the headlight this morning. I really did not care for the look of the metal one I ordered, so I took a shot at making the Tam one work. Everything looked like it would work..


It seemed to take forever to drill out the base. I think it was the nerves more than the actual work..



It's a tad tight inside but it works just fine.



Sorry for the blurry pic, but added a bit more detail to the back. I may redo it because it seems a bit too big, but we'll see


I knocked this out too since I was messing with stretching parts spur.


Now to spend the rest of the morning sanding filler. I may run a grab some brass tube to make the exaust later this aft, but it's already 90' F out

[JayBrd]

Sorry it's been slow going. Work seems to get excessively in the way lately. I have only had time for little odds and ends details, along with waiting on the last of the turret and deck parts...on with the pics......





I ended up changing my mind on the exaust due to my local shop hardly not carring anything anymore (I think I have more in my basement ).


I'm hoping to get a good bit done this coming weekend (fingers crossed)

[JayBrd]

Got time for a little more progress today..

Finished detailing the rear. I decided to put the Tam pintle on inplace of the HL



Got the skirts fitted also.


The Schumo antenna bases arrived from ETO Armor this aft.


Hoping to get them fitted and will try and get some better lighted detail pics also.

More to come

[JayBrd]

Got some more done today with fitting the antenna base and work on the spare track hangers. I wanted to use the metal links I had ordered over the plastic HL ones due to more detail. They should look ok once I get them finished and pins/chains on..

[JayBrd]

Finally an update!!

I actually got some time away from work to get some work done on the turret. Fitting the HL bottom plate was very simple to fit with minimal work.

After removing the stays for the HL turret shell, I slowly fitted the plate to the Tam turret


And as you can see, the Tam turret mounting stays line up perfectly


I am planning on using the elevation mounting from the Tam plate on the HL one. So far it looks like it will be a cut and glue job. I am still waiting on the Tam recoil and elevation units from Jason's store yet. They should be here in another week or so. But as you can see, it's a great fit so far.


Some minor stuff should be coming tomorrow so will get time to post some more this weekend..

[buckeye36]

Really nice detail work, going to be a great looking Panther.