dazman,
Wow! Thank you for the kind compliment. I didn't use any photo-etch on the Panther, except for the rear deck screens. Besides the screens the only other aftermarket items were resin periscopes and front hatches. I bought the tank used and the guy I bought from had already purchased those items but had not installed them, so I did when I decided to refurb it.

I guess I am thrifty, and that it comes from years of being responsible for a family and thus a tight budget. Funny thing is now a little later in life, and a little further along in my career I don't need to be as thrifty but I guess old habits die hard. I also really enjoy coming up with ways of using inexpensive or unorthadox materials and methods. I now try to treat each new project as a big experiment.

I did a complete build thread on that Panther if you're even remotely interested in seeing more. Here's a link to that thread

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_72...tm.htm#7232225

I'm also in the middle of building an accurized M4A3 (75) W Sherman in winter white wash. In fact I'll be posting some more pictures of that build tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks for the compliments and interest.

Streetsquid

You can also see complete builds in the projects section of our club website; www.desertarmor.com