Panther G at the Eastern Front 1945

[hotte8487]

Lots of things were still to do; here is now the result.

I've made him to a Feldwebel (Sergeant), because it isn't a leading tank and he's also not a platoon leader.

Now he is almost ready, only a few little details are still to do (like the necktie).

For a lower main emphasis he has received inside a hex bolt M5; furthermore is inside the turret a magnet that is holding my commander.

[dgsselkirk]

Very nice Hotte! Figure looks excellent. On the front of cupola is that a different version of the commanders aiming post? I thought I had looked at everything you added but I missed that.

[hotte8487]

Hi Dean,

you're right, it's a distress visor for the commander. I've added it at turret a long time ago, but in my report to see not until at page 4.
What do you mean with a different type? This kind of visor was mounted with the new cupola first at the late Panther type D and later then also at type A and G, it's to see in the red circle at the pictures.

[dgsselkirk]

Hi Hotte,

sorry it just looked a little different than ones I had seen before. Bigger (fatter) than what I had seen. But as I said before you are an expert so I am sure yours is the right one. I went back and looked at Littlefield's panther. Bernard Zee took a good side shot of it.

[hotte8487]

@ dgsselkirk
No problem Dean, this is the reason, why we have this forum, exchange from knowledge and answering of questions.
The size of the visor (length, width and angles) I took from the book Panzer Tracts No. 5-3, Panther type G.

@ Eastern Front
Tiger and Panther tanks were built in different factories and from different manufacturers, it was a mistake and a big problem for the German army. I think you know, it's very important in war to have the possibility, to make of two damaged tanks one ready to use. Considerations about standardizations between the different manufacturers and different types were made only at the end of the war, like the tanks E 75, E 100 and so on.

[hotte8487]

Since a long time I haven't wrote in the report about my current project; now it will go on.
Before I concern me intensive with camouflage for my Panther, here are still the last two changes; I've installed another gear and added a last detail at the rear turret hatch.
The transmission for my panther came from Singapore from Impact.

The transmission unit is basically a copy of the Tamiya gearbox, extended by an additional gear. These gearboxes from Impact reaches almost twice as high reduction ratio than the original, out comes a really great drive feeling, massive power and speed and acceleration are more realistic.
Along with the new firmware from ElMod it is now possible that the tank drive curves on each surface.
Here is now a view to the contents of this package. However, I changed the shafts from Impact against Tamiya's, for me they are processed better.

The new gearboxes are now installed in the tank and these without any problems.

Now to my second change; for my crew probably not so important, but it belongs to a panther, and so I had installed a device for closing the rear turret hatch.
For the turret sided strike plate, I've cut a small slit, pushed the striking plate from the inside through and glued it at the inside.

From the hatch I've filed some material from the edge and glued there the strike plate. Here in the pictures not to see, but the parts were then also completed with welds.

Now I’m on the search for a little padlock…

[lliw180]

Nice work mate

[hotte8487]

Today I dedicate myself a crucial issue, how will I implement the camouflage of the 5th Pz Abt the 25th PzGrDiv in spring 1945 at the Eastern Front on my Panther? There are certainly more common and especially more familiar camouflage from late Panthers, but I really want this.
Here is one of the most well-known photos from this unit:

This mask from rctank.de shows how the turret numbers and insignias should be applied.

pic307.jpg (30.19 KiB) Viewed 6807 times

The description to this masks is a good help for me (thank you Glen), but the description of the used colors is definitely wrong.

After I have viewed all my photos and illustrations and read something about this unit, is this now my result:

- The Panthers were new and had no damages and also the complete equipment on board
- Wrong is the statement, that the basic color is dark yellow; for me is this a late 3 color camouflage pattern with the colors olive green (RAL 6003), red brown (RAL 8012) and dark yellow (RAL 7028)
- Olive green is the base color
- Red brown was used for the camo spots
- Dark yellow was used for the camo stripes
- The brown camo spots were not classic rounded, but also striped

Some things are still ever unknown and it will be very difficult to bring light into darkness

- Was there a regulation or a scheme for this camouflage (size and shape of the camo spots, direction and angle of the yellow stripes)? If so, than not exactly, because on my first photo the stripes at the second Panther's gun shield shows in the other direction.
- Was the gun barrel also camouflaged?
- Was the camo spots and/or the camo stripes only applied on the sides (excluded the upper side of the upper hull and the turret top) - I think so, because for dissolve the contour of the Panther is this sufficiently
- Had the vehicles turret numbers, national identification crosses and signs from the unit? - on the pictures is nothing to see - but my tank will not be without, let's see
- Was the lower front plate also camouflaged? - I believe that the first tank had there stripes - therefore I'll do it also

Here are still two photos to this theme:

pic308.jpg (52.87 KiB) Viewed 6807 times

The tank with turret number 333 has really existed…

That’s all what I know about this especially camouflage. Before I start with the primer, I will drive some rounds to see, if he is still need an update.
Previously I have to load my battery, through my charging socket it's now so easy like loading an e-car…

The charging position on the switch is number two…

At my test drive I couldn't find bigger problems, that’s why now disassembly and subsequently primer.

All parts which will not receive primer/color come into a box…

I will use the fine grey primer from Tamiya, but thereof it will give no photos; in favor more photos from the finishing.

[dgsselkirk]

It's a beautiful piece of work Hotte! I can't wait to see the paint....
By the way I imported that first photo into my graphics software and I can see just the faintest hint of the dark yellow stripes on the lower front plate...

Just sent you a PM about Panthers....

[hotte8487]

As I said, from the primer coat on my Panther I have no photos, only from the base color. The used base color was then and is now olive green (RAL 6003). This coat I've applied on my still disassembled tank. Here are some photos…

I have the color heavily thinned to receive a thin coat, especially on fine details like the chains or the weld lines.

A long time I thought about whether I should use „Worn Effects“ from AK; but then I decided me against this fluid. The tanks from this unit were at that time almost new and the used time was very short. So will a slightly aging and weathering seems more realistic. On big surfaces I've applied a second coat (little clouds) of olive green with 10 per cent white; I hope this is good to see on my turret.

Next time it will go on…