RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

So this weekend I picked up a nice Panther that already had a bunch of the work done that I generally have more difficulties with. The electrical...... This one has a Clark board on it already, recoil and ready to battle on the Tamiya IR system. The gentleman who did the work so far, is a long time hobbiest. It has the track tensioners on it and also all steel tracks, drive gear, idler and motors. He did a great job on the commander hatch on the turret with all the warning lights. I am battling over removing it completely, or sectioning it so it sits lower on the turret. I am aware it may not be the most accurate that way, but it will be the best for the warning indicators.

Today I stripped it down in preparation for the skinning of that deceptive armor. Then I mess with the drive train to get the tracks tensioned and the driver spaced out about .060 with shims. I drove it around the house blasting the poor cats for a half hour or so, they have officially had it with me.

I have found pics of 3 different Ersatz in the field. I am thinking I can raise the sides just a hair and lower the hatch down to the periscope level. So the scopes would still be functional if it were a real tank. The thing I have noticed in my research is that the tanks vary with some subtleties. Almost like each tank was it's own clever craftsmanship of deception. So that is my angle. This will be my second American tank.

On another note, the fellow who did the mechanicals for this one, is going through my T26 Super P for me and getting ready for the spring battles at the local RC armor field.

Here we go........

Pale,
I like seeing those words, "Here we go". That means another cool Pale Painter build is in the works. Nice find on the Panther! and the local support!
Regards,
Painless

Nice deal again Pale.... what's that extra tube on the mantlet for ? Going to be a fun watch

ALPHA

"here we go" is what Mrs 'Painter' is thinking right about now too I bet !!
Think of it as a 'Germerican' tank mate, a bit like a 300C chrysler !

ALPHA wrote:Nice deal again Pale.... what's that extra tube on the mantlet for ? Going to be a fun watch

ALPHA

Hi Alpha,
The extra tube carries the IR emitter according to local guidelines for battle. My has T26 has the same size tube as well.


Pale

HERMAN BIX wrote:"here we go" is what Mrs 'Painter' is thinking right about now too I bet !!
Think of it as a 'Germerican' tank mate, a bit like a 300C chrysler !

Hi Herman,
The Mrs is totally confused now and does not know of the inventory. All my expenses with this hobby are paid for from my musical hobby playing in a band on the weekends.

Pale

I have always fancied doing this I'm looking forward to seeing this.
Stevie

lol i had to look up what an Ersatz panther is.
i see they had an ersatz stug as well, not sure what model that ones supposed to be tho
should be good, i'm looking foward to the build

I am still wondering the same thing Lister. I do not know what they were attempting to deceive as. But according to my sources...

"To beef up the numbers, Skorzeny was able to acquire five Panthers tanks and StuG III G assault guns. Orders were given to disguise the Panthers to resemble the American M10 tank destroyer while the StuG III Gs were intended to look like the M7 Priest. All of the vehicles were painted green and given large white stars to complete the illusion. While the vehicles were far from convincing, at least Skorzeny now had the numbers he required to secure a route to the Meuse."

palepainter wrote:

ALPHA wrote:Nice deal again Pale.... what's that extra tube on the mantlet for ? Going to be a fun watch

ALPHA

Hi Alpha,
The extra tube carries the IR emitter according to local guidelines for battle. My has T26 has the same size tube as well.


Pale

Interesting Pale... I'm assuming that guideline is set there so the emitters on all tanks are at the same ground to gun level ...did your club find a better consistency in battle doing it that way? ... As I don't see such measures taken on models in the UK and elsewhere...It kind of hurts the appearance IMO

ALPHA