Evad's SdKfz 173 Jagdpanther (Late)

evad · Post by **evad** » Sun May 05, 2013 8:51 pm

This Jagdpanther is one of three tanks I am currently upgrading. I am using Mike Gibb's late model Jagdpanther rebuild as a source of reference and inspiration. While I am trying to get the detailing correct I'm not a "rivet counter" I'm more of a "if it looks right" modeler.
When I unboxed the tank and charged it up everything worked ok,however when the hull was split I found the smoker in a bit of a state !

: Damaged smoker; P1010480.JPG (59.52 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

After removing the smoker it was found to be in a bit of a state !!

I'm not sure how it was still working but it's a good excuse to buy a proportional unit !

: More damage; P1010481.JPG (59.46 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

: And more !; P1010478.JPG (56.27 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

The first job to be tackled was to relocate the switches and the charging socket to the rear behind the stowage boxes,I'm still looking for a location for the volume control.

: P1010488.JPG (45.38 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

: P1010489.JPG (39.56 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

: P1010491.JPG (49.84 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

: P1010492.JPG (46.87 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

The wiring was also tidied up.

: P1010494.JPG (51.04 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

: P1010495.JPG (55.79 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

As the BB unit is going to be replaced with an recoil unit this would leave space under the barrel for the RX18 to be moved.

: P1010501.JPG (72.6 KiB) Viewed 3234 times

The speaker is going to be replaced with one from Welsh Dragon ( on it's way as we speak along with a few other bits )
Other detailing bits were added along with holes being filled etc.The infamous lifting hooks were turned round and the missing ones added.
More to follow........................................

jarndice · Post by **jarndice** » Sun May 05, 2013 9:13 pm

I hate myself for saying this but the Tracks are the wrong way round, just ignore me for being picky and put it down to jealousy, brilliant build, I know I am learning stuff. shaun

evad · Post by **evad** » Mon May 06, 2013 12:16 am

jarndice wrote:I hate myself for saying this but the Tracks are the wrong way round, just ignore me for being picky and put it down to jealousy, brilliant build, I know I am learning stuff. shaun

The tracks are "as fitted" by Heng long and other than being too slack I've not really paid much attention to them. I will be replacing them with metal tracks at some point so will make sure they are fitted correctly.

This is what I like about this forum,people will point out something that's not quite right giving you the information to correct it. We're here to learn about our interest in Tanks,"A day without learning is a day wasted" I can't remember who said it but he was right.

Saxondog · Post by **Saxondog** » Mon May 06, 2013 5:27 am

Nice work, If you do go to Metal Tracks the Track Tensioner modification would be a smart addition.

Thanks for sharing the mods, what's next?

Saxondog

lister fiend · Post by **lister fiend** » Mon May 06, 2013 9:14 am

that's a very neat wiring job you've done there

good job fella.
keep it coming
lister

evad · Post by **evad** » Mon May 06, 2013 9:51 am

Thanks for the comments guys. The track tensioners are on the list Saxondog but it's starting to turn into a big list, oh well as Johnny Cash said "one piece at a time"

: Small lifting hooks in place.; P1010535.JPG (41.1 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

: Lifting hooks on the other side.; P1010536.JPG (47.27 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

: PE Grill.; P1010538.JPG (54.81 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

: PE Grill.; P1010540.JPG (55.12 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

: PE Grill.; P1010541.JPG (55.88 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

: PE Grill.; P1010543.JPG (58.79 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

One of two covers ( from the guys at Welsh Dragon )for the grills fitted.

: Cover over grill.; P1010545.JPG (52.89 KiB) Viewed 3203 times

Next some small detail on the hull were fitted after removing the originals which were in the wrong place. I don't know what they are and was hoping someone might shed some light on their purpose.

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evad · Post by **evad** » Mon May 06, 2013 10:03 am

I noticed on the engine cover there was a piece of detail that was too big and in the wrong place.....................................so off it came to be altered and put in the right place.While detailing that I decided to have a go at the breather pipe ( or lack of one ) and am pleased with the result.

: Offending bit removed.; P1010550.JPG (50.08 KiB) Viewed 3202 times

: In the right place and a bit more to scale.; P1010551.JPG (47.22 KiB) Viewed 3202 times

: Channel cleaned out.; P1010552.JPG (45.87 KiB) Viewed 3202 times

It's paperclip time !! With a bit of plastic tube and a resin bolt head.

: Bent paperclip.; P1010553.JPG (52.97 KiB) Viewed 3202 times

: The finished breather.; P1010554.JPG (50.2 KiB) Viewed 3202 times

evad · Post by **evad** » Mon May 06, 2013 11:38 am

I got a bit bored so decided to have a go at detailing the inside of the large access hatch. It seemed like a good idea at the time

I started with resin bolts and a paper clip handle then moved onto the catch's. A paper clip was used for the "arms" with a blob of solder on the end and the rest is plasticard and tube. While it's not 100% accurate and you can buy a replacement from Welsh Dragon I don't think it's too bad.

: Resin bolt heads.; P1010555.JPG (44.73 KiB) Viewed 3199 times

: Handle added.; P1010557.JPG (51.89 KiB) Viewed 3199 times

: Inside latches in place.; P1010559.JPG (51.8 KiB) Viewed 3199 times

: The finished hatch.; P1010560.JPG (57.45 KiB) Viewed 3199 times

: The real thing.; Mike Gibb's Jagdpanther (64).jpg (37.37 KiB) Viewed 3081 times

The filler amour caps on the rear deck have since been removed as I have found out they sit too high so the Dremel will be making it's presence felt in the near future.

evad · Post by **evad** » Thu May 09, 2013 9:13 pm

I finally settled on a place for the volume control,it's a bit tight but it's in and wired up.

I've also swapped the Heng Long speaker for a Taigen one.

: Volume control in place.; P1010682.JPG (58.66 KiB) Viewed 3168 times

: P1010684.JPG (40.8 KiB) Viewed 3168 times

: P1010685.JPG (41.85 KiB) Viewed 3168 times

: Taigen speaker in place.; P1010686.JPG (63.12 KiB) Viewed 3168 times

evad · Post by **evad** » Fri May 10, 2013 11:51 am

So on with some more detail work. I reshaped the Heng Long hammer / axe and added some brass strip to locate in place but as most hand tools were removed for spraying the tanks these will not be fixed in place after the tank is nearly completed.Next on the list was the rear of the tank starting with the reflector. This is just brass strip with a red reflective bead "borrowed" from the wife's crafting box.

Brackets and holders for the hand tools and C hooks were then fabricated, I'm quite happy with how they have turned out and they nicely fill out the rear.