Planning to finally take some holiday time to get around to
building several 1/35th kits this summer thought I'd get some practise in
with the newish airbrush ( bought same time as kits but not used much)
by having a look at some of the new 'fast build ' 1/72 kits.
Haven't built anything in the scale for ages so was interesting to have a look
at the new generation of models.
I got hold of a box of the PSC Panthers, being one of my favourite tanks.
Initial impression when I opened them up was 'this ain't a Dragon kit' looked a
bit sparse really. Then as you do I started to look closer and de sprue things and
very quickly I became seriously impressed. Its a very smart piece of design and moulding
( very reminiscent to the old Monogram 1/32nd kits of which I was/am very fond).
Went together very slickly the only tricky bit was the tracks with no indication of which side
and top/bottom front back. More of a 'brain' problem than a kit one I might add.
I'm not a rivet counter but it all looked right and definitely had the feel of a Panther
when built.
The only snags were the turret MG and the lack of zimmerit on the lower hull front.
The latter was sorted by making a moulding tool.
Taking some milliput, a fair sized blob the turret side was dusted with talc and the
milliput pushed onto the side of the turret. Carefully after dusting with talc( don't want to score the finely done merit)the milliput was cut down to an oblong the same dimensions as the hull front.
The cut milliput was then formed into a ball, the in situ milliput cleaned of talc and the ball moulded onto the oblong to form a two fingered 'grip' handle.
This was all left to dry. Needless to say if you try this don't use heat to set the milliput faster!
Once it had been drying for 2-3 hours the oblong was gently teased off ( toothpick good tool for this as wont scratch the plastic) then it could be set properly with some extra heat.
Then a layer of milliput was added to the hull front to a nice smooth finish, dusted with talc and then impressed with the made tool. And there you have it a nice reproduction of zimmerit Left to dry for a couple of hours then a couple of patches made with toothpick while still not fully set.
Other Mods made were:
drilled out bore and muzzle brake on gun
Ariel drilled out and fitted
Gun sight aperture drilled out on gun mantel
zimmerit taken out at various points
front mudguards removed
schutzen battle damaged
Hull MG barrel drilled out
Exhausts drilled out
Turret MG mount removed and replaced with wire version
MG custom made fitted and yes I know a MG42 is unlikely but I haven't made a 34 yet!
Tow loops added to front and rear.
After that a matter of various bit and bobs of stowage added.
Paint job is:
Base coat of PSC Dunkelgelb
then sprayed with Life Colour paints.
Varnished in gloss ( both for transfer adhesion and I find that the 'modern' acrylics dry with a rough
texture making washes not flow properly)
Getting transfers to adhere properly on the nicely defined merit was tricky ended up using the Aleran ones-as the turret numbers were separate numerals which made life easier. The other decals were PSC ones.
Washes applied mainly the newish Humbrol ones and some oils.
Tracks painted in a mix of Humbrol enamels and oils.
Matt varnished then added a layer of dust.
And finally the finished model with some custom made crew figures ( POC version for proposed Adler 20mm range or possibly someone else)
More pics at link