So I bought stevies panther 2 that's shown in the display cabinet. After looking at options for making its running gear more accurate and looking through panzer tracts I decided it was impractical and would necessitate damaging all the good work already done. So I've decided to rebuild it as a panther F with a whole load of goodies from asiatam and rctank.de mentioned in my jagdpanther build which is intended to run concurrently to this. I will be using a set of Tamiya panther tus left over from when I upgraded my Tamiya panther.

So here's my starting point, all the aforementioned goodies from asiatam and rctank.de

First step if to install the Tamiya tus using the tried and tested nail polish method to get the right alignment (ahem) well it seemed to work!

I used the impact standoffs which don't actually fit Tamiya tanks but seem fine here!

Success! Next up are the metal suspension arms and road wheels (first time I've used metal wheels in a build). These fitted perfectly and roll beautifully.

Alignment looks good!

Now the only problem I've had so far is that the asiatam sprockets don't fit the asiatam tracks (strange eh) but the HL metal sprockets work great (sollie gave me the idea after his tiger issues). I'm awaiting dominiques reply about this.

Now it's time to party like its 1999, more updates next year!!

Realised I'd lost a standoff so made on out of the brass rod off the HL tus.

Next up removed the tools off the hull and filled the hull in.

Filled in the holes for the smoker on the back panel

Next I added a repositioned ariel with proper base from schumo.

Repaired the rear exhausts and added the supports

I removed the HL crew heater and added the part from the Tamiya panther.

Then added the Aber PE kit

And added PE grills and bolts, also the Tamiya covers for the left side

Next I added PE track hangers which are tbh rather flimsy so I might need to rethink this

I started off making the holder for the jack block

First attempt which I realised was wrong....let's try that again:

Brass strips on the right side now. Next I started adding to the area holder which is being relocated to the rear. Not sure if I'm going to scratch some new legs as with the two halves of the hull makes securing them tricky.

I scratched some handles and the v shaped bit on top (which was a pain to bend).

First order of business has been to add the main weld lines to the casemate. Then I needed to add some tools to the rear deck and back panel. I also added some PE clamps to the ariel tube and scratched some holders for the bolt cutters. I also added some brass straps and some extra detail to the fire extinguisher and alter the clamp position on the shovel so it fits properly.

Some pictures:

Preparing c clips

In situ with restraining pins added:

Holder for bolt cutters:

Spare outer road wheel (thanks blue Danube!) added to spare track holder with restraining pin.

Fire extinguisher, not clear is the triangular section of the holder under the extinguisher, it's not 100% scale but it's better than nothing!

Clamp and other brass work on the ariel tube:

Finally some overal shots showing the rear deck and some weld lines.

Next up is butchering a HL recoil to work with a servo! Still deciding how best to produce a traverse mechanism, if your reading this Nigel I'm looking at you

Hoping I can improve the hands once the putty has dried. I'm just waiting on some side skirts from battle front models and then I can get rolling with the paint.

Have tried to refine the "sculpting" on the commanders hands, sculpted a head light cover and added the cable conduit.

Just need to work out a way of getting the hubcaps to fit!

Also got another figure painted up for the panther F:





Enjoy!

I've added an ariel made from a guitar string (not sure if it's thick enough), added side skirts courtesy of battlefront models, very very solid! Finally I've added brass mounts for the ariel tube.

Finally from rob I got some wheel bearings, had to sand down the shafts slightly, they've really helped sprocket stability!

I'm picking up some primer tomorrow then I can crack on with the paint!

Made a big push with my jagdpanther today. Finally got my hands on some extortionately priced plasticard to build the stowage bin on the rear of the casemate. Then I got down to the nitty gritty of painting the beast. I did try some per shading but it didn't really do much. My airbrush was being a massive paint which did hamper things. 

As to the colour scheme initially I had no idea, I did a lot of reading and nothing really stood out. I've already got two tanks in ambush camo so that was a no no. Some of the two color schemes seemed intresting so I started with a yellow base then added green. This looked ok but in the end I added brown for a tri color scheme but not banded like my king tiger. 

I added chips and scratches and then sprayed a sin industries filter for panzer yellow or it. Next I used some ak interactive streaking grime and rain marks. I've not quite decided on weather to add any rust marks. I shall be adding mud and general grime when I can find my Tamiya tank makeup! 

Enjoy