Detailing Project - Panzer II Luch
10-28-2018, 01:57 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Detailing Project - Panzer II Luch
Hi All,
I wanted to share some pix of another 1/6 project of mine - Panzer ll Luch. Its from Metalbox in China, which apparently now is defunct. I got this in 2015 after a year wait. Its a beautiful model - almost a crime to paint it. But I started adding some details. I made a spare track rack for the font, added some handles and Armorpax excellent jerry cans. The model is pretty complete except for detail parts - like pioneer tools. I will be making those or modifying them (Armorpax german tool kit). Anyway, I thought fellow tank nuts might enjoy this.
As received -2015
Front track link rack
Front view - before paint...
Gas cans to turret from Armorpax
Hatch handles and my own lift hooks added:
A little panzer yellow added:
More to follow...
B
I wanted to share some pix of another 1/6 project of mine - Panzer ll Luch. Its from Metalbox in China, which apparently now is defunct. I got this in 2015 after a year wait. Its a beautiful model - almost a crime to paint it. But I started adding some details. I made a spare track rack for the font, added some handles and Armorpax excellent jerry cans. The model is pretty complete except for detail parts - like pioneer tools. I will be making those or modifying them (Armorpax german tool kit). Anyway, I thought fellow tank nuts might enjoy this.
As received -2015
Front track link rack
Front view - before paint...
Gas cans to turret from Armorpax
Hatch handles and my own lift hooks added:
A little panzer yellow added:
More to follow...
B
10-28-2018, 04:42 PM
#2
That’s stunning Bob ! I have seen them in photos and they look very well made ! The company wasn’t around long was it ? Why did they close ? And Congratulations!
Last edited by Markocaster; 10-28-2018 at 08:03 PM.
10-29-2018, 12:56 AM
#5
Very nice. I almost bought one before their release but held off & now cost locally, if you can find them, is pushing 3x higher what the initial offer was @ 13,000RMB. I came across the Stug & Tiger at a seller in Beijing and almost choked at their asking price.
Why they quit... too little demand, not at all good at marketing & certainly, didn't have deep enough pockets. They moved to doing movie props but seem to have disappeared after making one IJA light tank. Now am waiting to see if Warslug can make a go of it - they talk big but certainly appear to have both of the above latter points that brought down Metal Box. At least some of the new Warslug models are appearing here in some very expensive accessory shops in high end shopping malls. Time will tell.
Why they quit... too little demand, not at all good at marketing & certainly, didn't have deep enough pockets. They moved to doing movie props but seem to have disappeared after making one IJA light tank. Now am waiting to see if Warslug can make a go of it - they talk big but certainly appear to have both of the above latter points that brought down Metal Box. At least some of the new Warslug models are appearing here in some very expensive accessory shops in high end shopping malls. Time will tell.
Last edited by herrmill; 10-29-2018 at 01:02 AM.
10-29-2018, 04:31 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Thanks all - yes really beautiful model. That is why I decide to share it. I kind of hate to paint it - but a tank needs camo (dilemma for sure).
lposter yes the Stug is really nice. I have friend who has one. The sound card in these is quite disappointing, but that can be redone/replaced.
herrmill - I agree I wish the best for Warslug. Their models are very impressive quality wise. But they are supplying the same enthusiast market as MB - but at nearly double the cost. Metalbox quality was overall very good. But I agree their communication was difficult and the website hard to navigate, was never updated. I was beginning to think I would never get mine after ordering it - took a year. I don't mind waiting a bit, but I had begun to think I lost my money. I hope everyone who order one got theirs delivered.
Hard to imagine that WS models more expensive will sell better and faster - but time will tell. I really like the FT17- but even a small vehicle from WS is nearly triple in price what I pay for Pz II.
Thanks for interest,
Bob
lposter yes the Stug is really nice. I have friend who has one. The sound card in these is quite disappointing, but that can be redone/replaced.
herrmill - I agree I wish the best for Warslug. Their models are very impressive quality wise. But they are supplying the same enthusiast market as MB - but at nearly double the cost. Metalbox quality was overall very good. But I agree their communication was difficult and the website hard to navigate, was never updated. I was beginning to think I would never get mine after ordering it - took a year. I don't mind waiting a bit, but I had begun to think I lost my money. I hope everyone who order one got theirs delivered.
Hard to imagine that WS models more expensive will sell better and faster - but time will tell. I really like the FT17- but even a small vehicle from WS is nearly triple in price what I pay for Pz II.
Thanks for interest,
Bob
Last edited by RC_BobM; 10-29-2018 at 04:35 PM.
12-22-2018, 06:46 AM
#7
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wow!!! Another Luchs!!
I am building up the Metalbox Luchs at the moment. As it is my first 1/6 scale metal tank, I'd say its overall quality is very good. However, the control board & sound card is very basic and a closed design.
The idling & accelerating sound is a simple repeat of a 3-sec sound clip. I am managing to change the sound card to Benedini's. well, it turns out that the 4-channel ESC has only 2 signal inputs!.
So now, I am waiting for the Open Panzer board and then get rid of the whole stock electronics.
As for Metalbox itself, they didn't quit. The whole company is making movie gadgets now, currently a Chinese Si-Fi movie about landing on the moon or something. But, I don't think their 1/6 products will meet the need of future 1/6 market. After all, I think they are designing the tanks as big toys, rather than MODELs.
I am building up the Metalbox Luchs at the moment. As it is my first 1/6 scale metal tank, I'd say its overall quality is very good. However, the control board & sound card is very basic and a closed design.
The idling & accelerating sound is a simple repeat of a 3-sec sound clip. I am managing to change the sound card to Benedini's. well, it turns out that the 4-channel ESC has only 2 signal inputs!.
So now, I am waiting for the Open Panzer board and then get rid of the whole stock electronics.
As for Metalbox itself, they didn't quit. The whole company is making movie gadgets now, currently a Chinese Si-Fi movie about landing on the moon or something. But, I don't think their 1/6 products will meet the need of future 1/6 market. After all, I think they are designing the tanks as big toys, rather than MODELs.
12-22-2018, 09:00 AM
#8
Very nice. I almost bought one before their release but held off & now cost locally, if you can find them, is pushing 3x higher what the initial offer was @ 13,000RMB. I came across the Stug & Tiger at a seller in Beijing and almost choked at their asking price.
Why they quit... too little demand, not at all good at marketing & certainly, didn't have deep enough pockets. They moved to doing movie props but seem to have disappeared after making one IJA light tank. Now am waiting to see if Warslug can make a go of it - they talk big but certainly appear to have both of the above latter points that brought down Metal Box. At least some of the new Warslug models are appearing here in some very expensive accessory shops in high end shopping malls. Time will tell.
Why they quit... too little demand, not at all good at marketing & certainly, didn't have deep enough pockets. They moved to doing movie props but seem to have disappeared after making one IJA light tank. Now am waiting to see if Warslug can make a go of it - they talk big but certainly appear to have both of the above latter points that brought down Metal Box. At least some of the new Warslug models are appearing here in some very expensive accessory shops in high end shopping malls. Time will tell.
but nearly 19k for a King Tiger is beyond what most folks will pay for a model and I suppose there might be one or two cars you could buy for that...
I'm happy for the 1/6 crowd to have this supplier but I'll stick to my 1/10 scale, easier to lift weight and money wise...
The Lucks is a pretty model though...
Jerry
12-22-2018, 09:36 AM
#9
Thread Starter
larryzhou I like to know how your install of Open Panzer board goes. I agree the electronics -especially original sound is very poor. With nice sound this would be a great model. What sound clip are you going to use? Is there one available for PzII?
Tanque I think it remains to be seen if WS contributed anything to the 1/6 market. As a fan of 1/6 and owner of several Armorteks I think WS models are WAY out of reach price wise. I just cannot justify nearly $20K for one model - no matter how nice it is.
I agree with you on the 1/10 as nearly the perfect scale. I have followed the 1/10 scale market for many years. But its seems like whenever I was ready to buy a 1/10 scale the vendor would go out of business. There have been several 1/10 makers come and go over the years as well (German Tiger 1 maker - can't remember name? ,Panzermodelbau Hermann, Maeir). I may not have spelled their names correctly -my apologies, but they were all excellent craftsman and offered nice models. So it seems no matter the scale it a very niche limited market. That said there is still a popular following for 1/10 models and 1/10 trucks - esp in Germany.
B
Tanque I think it remains to be seen if WS contributed anything to the 1/6 market. As a fan of 1/6 and owner of several Armorteks I think WS models are WAY out of reach price wise. I just cannot justify nearly $20K for one model - no matter how nice it is.
I agree with you on the 1/10 as nearly the perfect scale. I have followed the 1/10 scale market for many years. But its seems like whenever I was ready to buy a 1/10 scale the vendor would go out of business. There have been several 1/10 makers come and go over the years as well (German Tiger 1 maker - can't remember name? ,Panzermodelbau Hermann, Maeir). I may not have spelled their names correctly -my apologies, but they were all excellent craftsman and offered nice models. So it seems no matter the scale it a very niche limited market. That said there is still a popular following for 1/10 models and 1/10 trucks - esp in Germany.
B
12-22-2018, 10:26 AM
#10
larryzhou I like to know how your install of Open Panzer board goes. I agree the electronics -especially original sound is very poor. With nice sound this would be a great model. What sound clip are you going to use? Is there one available for PzII?
Tanque I think it remains to be seen if WS contributed anything to the 1/6 market. As a fan of 1/6 and owner of several Armorteks I think WS models are WAY out of reach price wise. I just cannot justify nearly $20K for one model - no matter how nice it is.
I agree with you on the 1/10 as nearly the perfect scale. I have followed the 1/10 scale market for many years. But its seems like whenever I was ready to buy a 1/10 scale the vendor would go out of business. There have been several 1/10 makers come and go over the years as well (German Tiger 1 maker - can't remember name? ,Panzermodelbau Hermann, Maeir). I may not have spelled their names correctly -my apologies, but they were all excellent craftsman and offered nice models. So it seems no matter the scale it a very niche limited market. That said there is still a popular following for 1/10 models and 1/10 trucks - esp in Germany.
B
Tanque I think it remains to be seen if WS contributed anything to the 1/6 market. As a fan of 1/6 and owner of several Armorteks I think WS models are WAY out of reach price wise. I just cannot justify nearly $20K for one model - no matter how nice it is.
I agree with you on the 1/10 as nearly the perfect scale. I have followed the 1/10 scale market for many years. But its seems like whenever I was ready to buy a 1/10 scale the vendor would go out of business. There have been several 1/10 makers come and go over the years as well (German Tiger 1 maker - can't remember name? ,Panzermodelbau Hermann, Maeir). I may not have spelled their names correctly -my apologies, but they were all excellent craftsman and offered nice models. So it seems no matter the scale it a very niche limited market. That said there is still a popular following for 1/10 models and 1/10 trucks - esp in Germany.
B
model offerings. Even though by today's standards they are of poor detail the execution remains the best. The other makers in Germany have come and gone, mostly one or two man operations as were most in the East and using mostly manual machining techniques. 1/10 just doesn't have the following and I doubt ever will; I had that spark of hope when Hooben released their 1/10 Sherman ( which I still want) and Tiger I. It remains to be seen what they can do with it.
I hoped that the entry of so many suppliers to 1/6 scale would spark more builders to explore making their own, scratch builds which further would hopefully prompt suppliers like Kenny Kong, Geisswerk and others to focus on supplying the really hard to make_it_yourself items for any tank: the tracks/ sprockets.
I apologize for essentially sidetracking your thread. Please continue and show us more of your wonderful Luchs, happens to be one of my favorite light German Recce tanks.
I agree it is difficult to make the decision to paint such a model.
Jerry
12-22-2018, 01:52 PM
#11
Thread Starter
Tanque/Jerry
Don't worry about side-tracking (tank pun intended) my thread. Good discussion anyway.
There was a german maker of only Tiger 1 tanks in 1/10. I cannot remember the website now. I want to say Thomas Witegribe? They were beautifully detailed and painted if you wanted them painted. They didn't make a late version, which I really wanted. But I almost bought one anyway - but then they seemed to stop updating the website and answering email etc. I was reluctant to spend $4500USD on one and not get it.
Geisswerk does supply excellent tracks for the scratch builder in a number of scales. He offers a lot of 1/10 Panther parts. I have a set of 1/6 Panzer II Luch tracks from him. I started a scratch build Pz II - got the lower hull, wheels, suspension nearly done when Metalbox came out with their beautiful PZII. So that scatch project got put on hold. The Geisswerk tracks are gorgeous, but expensive. Way too much for most builders. The Geisswerk PzII tracks were $2300 USD, nearly as much as the metal box tank complete (~$3200 delivered). I need to finish the scratch PZII to justify buying the tracks I suppose. Geisswerk is about the only provider of RC worthy tracks in large scale 1/10, 1/8, 1/6 that I know of however. I have a set of 1/6 Maultier tracks from Geisswerk that I'm working to make into a model now. Perhaps another thread on that once I have something significant to show.
I was interested in the Hoobin Sherman as well. I like the E8 version. Even in 1/6 scale no one makes an E8 version. Hopefully Hoobin gets their act together. I think there is a market. I think its possible to create your own market with a quality product and reasonable price. Hoobin has an opportunity - if they will just capitalize and deliver the goods.
Best regards,
Bob
Don't worry about side-tracking (tank pun intended) my thread. Good discussion anyway.
There was a german maker of only Tiger 1 tanks in 1/10. I cannot remember the website now. I want to say Thomas Witegribe? They were beautifully detailed and painted if you wanted them painted. They didn't make a late version, which I really wanted. But I almost bought one anyway - but then they seemed to stop updating the website and answering email etc. I was reluctant to spend $4500USD on one and not get it.
Geisswerk does supply excellent tracks for the scratch builder in a number of scales. He offers a lot of 1/10 Panther parts. I have a set of 1/6 Panzer II Luch tracks from him. I started a scratch build Pz II - got the lower hull, wheels, suspension nearly done when Metalbox came out with their beautiful PZII. So that scatch project got put on hold. The Geisswerk tracks are gorgeous, but expensive. Way too much for most builders. The Geisswerk PzII tracks were $2300 USD, nearly as much as the metal box tank complete (~$3200 delivered). I need to finish the scratch PZII to justify buying the tracks I suppose. Geisswerk is about the only provider of RC worthy tracks in large scale 1/10, 1/8, 1/6 that I know of however. I have a set of 1/6 Maultier tracks from Geisswerk that I'm working to make into a model now. Perhaps another thread on that once I have something significant to show.
I was interested in the Hoobin Sherman as well. I like the E8 version. Even in 1/6 scale no one makes an E8 version. Hopefully Hoobin gets their act together. I think there is a market. I think its possible to create your own market with a quality product and reasonable price. Hoobin has an opportunity - if they will just capitalize and deliver the goods.
Best regards,
Bob
12-22-2018, 08:24 PM
#12
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Hi, Bob
the open panzer Board is out of stock , so I guess I will have to go without it first. Thamos from Benedini suggests using 38T’s recording for the Luchs.
I will start a thread about my build.
Larry
the open panzer Board is out of stock , so I guess I will have to go without it first. Thamos from Benedini suggests using 38T’s recording for the Luchs.
I will start a thread about my build.
Larry
12-23-2018, 08:08 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Hi Larryzhou
That sounds interesting on the Benedini Pz38t sounds - should be pretty close. Are you going to add 20mm gun noise? That would be very cool too.
I'd be interested to see how you integrate the Benedini in with the current electronics, or using different ESC.
I'm considering a IBU2U for another project. Have you looked at that or Clark board?
Keep in touch on your Luch,
Bob
That sounds interesting on the Benedini Pz38t sounds - should be pretty close. Are you going to add 20mm gun noise? That would be very cool too.
I'd be interested to see how you integrate the Benedini in with the current electronics, or using different ESC.
I'm considering a IBU2U for another project. Have you looked at that or Clark board?
Keep in touch on your Luch,
Bob
12-24-2018, 05:29 AM
#14
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I guess the 20mm canon ‘s sound effect should be included already.
The other boards, including Clark & Ibu ,can not supply un-amplified motor signal, the Open Panzer TCB might be the only one can do the job.
of course, we can hook up the Clark TK or IBU board to the stock system parallelly, after all, the turret rotation & gun motor are both supplied by the 24V battery.
hopefully, the TCB can be in stock soon at Hobbyking’s.
The other boards, including Clark & Ibu ,can not supply un-amplified motor signal, the Open Panzer TCB might be the only one can do the job.
of course, we can hook up the Clark TK or IBU board to the stock system parallelly, after all, the turret rotation & gun motor are both supplied by the 24V battery.
hopefully, the TCB can be in stock soon at Hobbyking’s.
Hi Larryzhou
That sounds interesting on the Benedini Pz38t sounds - should be pretty close. Are you going to add 20mm gun noise? That would be very cool too.
I'd be interested to see how you integrate the Benedini in with the current electronics, or using different ESC.
I'm considering a IBU2U for another project. Have you looked at that or Clark board?
Keep in touch on your Luch,
Bob
That sounds interesting on the Benedini Pz38t sounds - should be pretty close. Are you going to add 20mm gun noise? That would be very cool too.
I'd be interested to see how you integrate the Benedini in with the current electronics, or using different ESC.
I'm considering a IBU2U for another project. Have you looked at that or Clark board?
Keep in touch on your Luch,
Bob
09-03-2019, 08:52 PM
#16
Thread Starter
Hello RCU
Its been a while since I posted any progress on this project. Made a little headway with painting and detailing this summer. Still more to go. I'm actually glad I decided to paint this model, It looks much better now.
Hull tear down;
Hull paint and primer;
Wheels painted;
Had a major problem getting the tracks off. Due to bent track pins and defective cast material I had several links break. I have some metal master links coming from Shapeways, so hope to cast some new replacement links soon.
Bent track pins (as removed)
Busted links
Starting reassembly;
Tracks look good painted:
Made some new tow hooks from aluminum and added brass latches
Side bracket
New antenna;
Then got some nice outside shots in the sun
Its been a while since I posted any progress on this project. Made a little headway with painting and detailing this summer. Still more to go. I'm actually glad I decided to paint this model, It looks much better now.
Hull tear down;
Hull paint and primer;
Wheels painted;
Had a major problem getting the tracks off. Due to bent track pins and defective cast material I had several links break. I have some metal master links coming from Shapeways, so hope to cast some new replacement links soon.
Bent track pins (as removed)
Busted links
Starting reassembly;
Tracks look good painted:
Made some new tow hooks from aluminum and added brass latches
Side bracket
New antenna;
Then got some nice outside shots in the sun
Last edited by RC_BobM; 09-03-2019 at 09:04 PM. Reason: add more
09-09-2019, 05:57 PM
#21
tha Jagdpanther is good I am still working on the sound and Ibu2pro but it runs great ! I had neck/ spine surgery 4 months ago and had some time off so I have been converting my 1/6 FOA Panzer iv to rc 😮 so far it’s going well. I will make a new post as I get closer the the finish 
