Max-U52

The rope shows up better in the stills. The last photo is the stock plastic piece



This is how I did it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj9L9_9xIhs

ausf

To me, the beauty of the rope is it's level of detail and color. The last thing I'd want to do is alter it in any way with overspray. Just a bit of wet down PVA is all I use, and for the most part, I'd go with how they would: With the tie downs, I tied them. I only used the PVA to make sure the ends stayed put so the don't defy gravity.

For a rope coil, why not coil it in place. Again, the beauty of this stuff is it's scale detail and function. CA or tie it to the holder, then wrap it around so it drapes naturally. These are tankers, not sailors, I doubt ropes would hang in perfect circles. As far as the end, I'd tuck it under a previous coil and let the excess hang down like you would with a hose reel.

If you're really after realism, I'd start by getting rid of the ridiculous 4 number markings. I can understand why HL would use it as their stock number for a toy, but no idea why this continues with the higher end stuff. No German armor used a four digit system. Company, platoon, individual. Usually you'll find those numbers are three or below for heavies, using a letter to denote command.

Your tank would be number nine in the seventh platoon of eight company in what the third panzer army? Hitler himself couldn't dream of that many Panthers.

Max-U52

Jeff, you've really got to stop being right all the time, Buddy, it's starting to get just a little bit annoying. Just teasin' ya, Bro. The fact is, you've never steered me wrong before so I tried your method of just wrapping it instead of trying to make a coil first, and it worked great. Now, obviously this isn't permanent (yet) and it hasn't been trimmed to length but I can see right now that if I stick the end of the rope to the fixer with a tiny drop of CA and then re-wrap, tucking the last bit under and letting it hang (maybe a 1/4 inch or so, as though it was done in a hurry) it's gonna be much better than the way I was doing it before. On the bright side, the coils I made yesterday evened themselves out a bit overnight and they're still gonna look great just layin' around, maybe a coil on top of stack of crates or an oil drum.



As for the incorrect numbers, I stuck those on because it looked so naked, but once I get around to obtaining and applying a proper set of decals those will be outta there. I also have some paint work to do before that. This tank straight out of the box is what we musclecar guys call a 20 footer. Looks just terrific from 20 feet away, but once you get up close you start seeing the defects. So, once I decide on a final tank to crudely replicate I'll take care of the paint and apply decent decals, and then your mud technique from the other thread will be added to the repertoire of weathering for this beauty. Same goes for the Jagdpanther, which still has a mostly stock HL upper with a fictitious paint scheme.

Where on earth do you get an 80 pound bag of pigment? Price Club for Modelers? Can I join?

ausf

Much more natural Gary, nice.

I have 8 bags and connections.

When Mig was the only game in town and he was going through problems with the original company, I decided I was going to test the market with my own. The main cost is in the vessel, especially the nice little container he used. Truth is, the vessel and label was about the same cost as my wholesale on MIG pigments. I opted for a small metal tin with bullet labels (have a bunch of those too), but my lawyer talked me out of it because of product liability issues with art supplies. I'd be stupid not to carry insurance on them, and between that and the blending and dispensing nightmare of dry pigments, the project was shelved. So I have enough dry pigment to weather evry 1/16 tank that has ever been or will be ever made.

ausf

Much more natural Gary, nice.

I have 8 bags and connections.

When Mig was the only game in town and he was going through problems with the original company, I decided I was going to test the market with my own. The main cost is in the vessel, especially the nice little container he used. Truth is, the vessel and label was about the same cost as my wholesale on MIG pigments. I opted for a small metal tin with bullet labels (have a bunch of those too), but my lawyer talked me out of it because of product liability issues with art supplies. I'd be stupid not to carry insurance on them, and between that and the blending and dispensing nightmare of dry pigments, the project was shelved. So I have enough dry pigment to weather evry 1/16 tank that has ever been or will be ever made.

Max-U52

First, I'm glad I'm not the only one that the site is giving a hard time to this morning. I just had double posts on two threads in a row.

If you ever want to part with a small bit of pigment let me know. I imagine a pound or so would last a guy like me most of a lifetime. I imagine you could make up some multi packs with a bit of each and sell it to just us guys on the forum, and not only would it be less hassle, it would really help the community. I'd be very interested in buying something like that. Or is that 8 bags of all the same pigment? (I'm hoping 8 different pigments).

Max-U52

And the final results. I'm just tickled, and I'm now gonna do the Jagdpanther.

Thank again for the help, Jeff.

Max-U52

Did the Jagdpanther, too. Jeff's suggestion to wind the rope in place worked really well. Just a touch of CA to secure one end at the top, then wind a few turns, add some very small and strategically placed drops of white glue, a few more turns, etc, etc. I think if I learn much more from that guy he's gonna bill me for tuition.

MAUS45

Looks good!!! One thing though, the spot where you have the rope, in general, was used for the track cable. So you may want to add a track cable draped across the engine deck or just leave it off. Not being a rivet counter just saying for educational purposes. Panther and Jagdpanter are my favorite tanks and yours look great!!!!

Max-U52

Thanks Rudy, I really like the Panthers, too. So HL got it wrong when they put the rope there? Would you happen to know of any photos of the track cable set-up? I'm a very long way from being a rivet counter, but such a glaring mistake is something I'd want to correct, so if you have a photo of how it should look when done right I'd sure appreciate it.

MAUS45

Let me see what I can find when I get home. It is similar to the one that the Tiger I and Tiger II carry. I will look at my Tamiya Panther and maybe snag some photos from a Panther book I have.

ausf

They might have got it right, it doesn't look like a rope or cable.

The track cable was a pretty important part of the set up, probably more so than the tow cables. If you broke a link, you needed to be able to pull the tracks back in place or you're dead. For a tow cable to work, you need something capable of towing you.

Max-U52

I wish I could tell google that I only want to see actual vehicles, not models of vehicles.

First, couldn't resist this one. What's wrong with this picture?



In this one it definitely looks like a cable. Scheisse! And unless that's a modern replacement it looks like I have some work to do to the fire extinguisher, as well



And I've got a bunch of tiger one tow cables that are too long for a Panther, has anyone figured out a good procedure for making them shorter? And this is the kind of pedestal I recommended for that one guy's display base, now I just have to remember who so I can show him this photo. Stupid hippie brain! Doh!

scottlarson925

My Feedback: (2)

Ummmm, I see a reversed photo and what you talkin' 'bout "hippie brain"? 59 and mine still works kinda OK...Now if I could just remember where I put my, my, oh never mind!

MAUS45

Did you notice the 1/1 scale Heng Long behind the Panther? It was upgraded to the 96mm gun as well. Ok, before you get me I know it is really a Flamm Panzer III, but it sure looks like the Heng Long L50 gun barrel.

Max-U52

Now that you mention it, that is pretty cool. I just grabbed this photo off the web, but now I think I need to find this museum and see if it's close enough to visit.

MAUS45

It's in Germany.

Max-U52

Do they have a website? Do you know the name of the museum?

MAUS45

BWB Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung, Koblenz, Germany

This is a good place to start find Tanks in Museums, but this is a facebook page for the Koblenz Panther G.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...5168813&type=3

I have not found one for Koblenz itself. Here is a walkaround for the Jagdpanther at Koblenz as well.

http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/tho...t/jagdpanther/