Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
03-19-2010, 10:57 PM
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Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Well, I finally got my second RC 1/16 tank finished!!! 
It's the TAMIYA 1/16 Panther but modified to a final production G vehicle produced by MAN with steel-rimmed road wheels in the rear-most position on each side (photos below show how I made these steel wheels). The model depicts an actual tank (based on a photo) of Heer Panzer Division Feldherrnhalle 2, spring 1945.
Thanks to all you guys that offered me advice so quickly and efficiently on the RC mods. This is the best forum around for RC tanks in my opinion! The major mods were an upgraded motor and reduced gear set from WILLY's CUSTOM RC MODELS. A very important add is the DARRYL TUNRER barrel sleeve to prevent barrel wobble. I also used the SHCUMO metal front sprocket mounts to ensure that the IMPACT tracks and metal sprockets could run smoothly.
The only problem I had with the kit (which is kinda annoying given the cost of the TAMIYA kit), was the turret traverse unit is very weak and will stop at the slightest resistence. I fixed it by cutting off the retaining lugs on the turret ring (ML1), while addeding fishing weights to the turret rear to offset the excess weight of the barrel and gun recoil mechanism, while ensuring the turret had weight to sit in place. I know some guys prefer to replace the gears of the traverse unit with "blue" gear replacements from TAMIYA, but I found this fix worked for me. I also had to add some styrene shims to the underside of the hull front lip to ensure a tight and snug fit, while eliminating the seam between the upper and lower hull at the front of the vehicle. Otherwise, a very very enjoyable build! Here are some pics. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed all your fantastic builds! Now onto my Tamiya KV!!!
- Harvey Low
It's the TAMIYA 1/16 Panther but modified to a final production G vehicle produced by MAN with steel-rimmed road wheels in the rear-most position on each side (photos below show how I made these steel wheels). The model depicts an actual tank (based on a photo) of Heer Panzer Division Feldherrnhalle 2, spring 1945. Thanks to all you guys that offered me advice so quickly and efficiently on the RC mods. This is the best forum around for RC tanks in my opinion! The major mods were an upgraded motor and reduced gear set from WILLY's CUSTOM RC MODELS. A very important add is the DARRYL TUNRER barrel sleeve to prevent barrel wobble. I also used the SHCUMO metal front sprocket mounts to ensure that the IMPACT tracks and metal sprockets could run smoothly.
The only problem I had with the kit (which is kinda annoying given the cost of the TAMIYA kit), was the turret traverse unit is very weak and will stop at the slightest resistence. I fixed it by cutting off the retaining lugs on the turret ring (ML1), while addeding fishing weights to the turret rear to offset the excess weight of the barrel and gun recoil mechanism, while ensuring the turret had weight to sit in place. I know some guys prefer to replace the gears of the traverse unit with "blue" gear replacements from TAMIYA, but I found this fix worked for me. I also had to add some styrene shims to the underside of the hull front lip to ensure a tight and snug fit, while eliminating the seam between the upper and lower hull at the front of the vehicle. Otherwise, a very very enjoyable build! Here are some pics. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed all your fantastic builds! Now onto my Tamiya KV!!!
- Harvey Low
03-19-2010, 11:04 PM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your should seriously think of sending your step-by-step build to TMMI, any model magazine or even Missing Lynx website
Your should seriously think of sending your step-by-step build to TMMI, any model magazine or even Missing Lynx website
03-19-2010, 11:09 PM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Uhhhhh....uhhhhhhh. Words?
Nope can't think of any... Anybody know how long your jaw is supposed to drop open when you see something like this?
Wow! That belongs in a museum. No no....not good enough. Lets' see......OMG! Yeah that's better!
What a Panther! That has set the bar.
Don
Nope can't think of any... Anybody know how long your jaw is supposed to drop open when you see something like this?
Wow! That belongs in a museum. No no....not good enough. Lets' see......OMG! Yeah that's better!
What a Panther! That has set the bar.
Don
03-19-2010, 11:37 PM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Now that is a serious Panther G. Great, I mean GREAT job there. Pat yourself on the back several hundred times.
Richard
Richard
03-20-2010, 01:24 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Very impressive work! I love all the detail and how you've captured the essence of heavy metal. Thank you for sharing!
We know you took more step by step pictures than this.....post them up! lol
We know you took more step by step pictures than this.....post them up! lol
03-20-2010, 02:48 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Nice upgrades and custom mods. My favorite part of this hobby is taking a kit or common vehicle, and making it truly stand apart. I would like to see some of your turret mods. A few of the DAK members have Panthers and need advice to make the turret traverse nice and smooth.
03-20-2010, 07:01 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Thanks Modeltank! Oddly I was thinking of TMMI. Never published there. My photography needs a bit more finess but good idea! - thank you!
03-20-2010, 07:08 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Thank you Dedmonwakin! Here are a few more. The first photo is the mods to the crew heater unit. I got tiny numerals from a model RR store to use as production numbers on the unit and Mantlet. You can fidn enat stuff in other hobby areas like Model Railroad. The second photo is a simple mod. Just bend the fender support in hot water so they end up crooked. When the skirts are installed, they''ll also be off angled and more realistic! The exhausts had to be sratchbuilt using tube styrene to represent a final production version.
03-20-2010, 07:14 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Amazing detail, right down to the tiny bits of leaves in the mud on the road wheels. Excellent work. Regards, J Z
03-20-2010, 09:37 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Kagero, your craftsmanship is awe inspiring indeed. It's great to have people like you to set the standard and show new comers what can actually be done with these tanks. It's obvious that you a professional model builder/painter. I hope that you don't hesitate to post any of your work here in the future. In fact, if you have a gallery of previous work, don't be stingy!
03-20-2010, 01:24 PM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Excellent detailing and painshop that's the way i like it to, is this one of the ardennes panter wich battled in ardennes offensive
03-21-2010, 03:02 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Hi Kagreo43,
Very nice job. I commend your detailing. I battle my Panther and it gets banged up a lot. I don't go too far in detailing as things get broken on the RC battlefield in Danville. I finally took out the headlamp on a rock after three years of battling with it. The track on the front is there to prevent dropping the tank on the trip back and forth to the work bench.
Keep up the fine work. What will you build next? Bob
Very nice job. I commend your detailing. I battle my Panther and it gets banged up a lot. I don't go too far in detailing as things get broken on the RC battlefield in Danville. I finally took out the headlamp on a rock after three years of battling with it. The track on the front is there to prevent dropping the tank on the trip back and forth to the work bench.
Keep up the fine work. What will you build next? Bob
03-21-2010, 04:57 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
I would like to learn/read more about your painting and weathering techniques. This is a subject that fascinates me.
Can you do a blow by blow writeup?
Cheers
Alan
Can you do a blow by blow writeup?
Cheers
Alan
03-22-2010, 09:55 PM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Thank you guys for all your wonderful and positive comments! I really appreciate all your help and feedback too.
There's been a lot of questions about my painting and weathering techniques. I humbly have an article on my 1/16 Panzer III in the current issue on the magazine shelves of MILTARY MODELCRAFT INTERNATIONAL (http://mmi.guidelinepublications.co.uk/). Here's a pic of it:
Older magazine articles of my 1/72 armour include: http://www.finescale.com/en/How%20To...g%20Tiger.aspx , and another of Otto Carius' Tiger in 1/72: http://www.kalmbachstore.com/fsm080401.html
Hope this helps!
Harvey Low
There's been a lot of questions about my painting and weathering techniques. I humbly have an article on my 1/16 Panzer III in the current issue on the magazine shelves of MILTARY MODELCRAFT INTERNATIONAL (http://mmi.guidelinepublications.co.uk/). Here's a pic of it:
Older magazine articles of my 1/72 armour include: http://www.finescale.com/en/How%20To...g%20Tiger.aspx , and another of Otto Carius' Tiger in 1/72: http://www.kalmbachstore.com/fsm080401.html
Hope this helps!
Harvey Low
03-22-2010, 10:06 PM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
Can I call it or what? Professional model builder! 
I definitely look forward to seeing more of your work! Doing a 1/16 scale tank must have been much more fun than the smaller stuff.......maybe less challenging for you though?
I definitely look forward to seeing more of your work! Doing a 1/16 scale tank must have been much more fun than the smaller stuff.......maybe less challenging for you though?
03-23-2010, 01:23 AM
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RE: Tamiya PANTHER finally done and thanks!
kagero43, Congratulations, both tanks are outstanding master builds. Breath taking for sure. I will pickup the magazine, for your article, and here is another 1/16 Tamiya Panther that I have been following, that is also built to a similar master level, look under projects:
http://translate.google.com/translat...late.google.ca
http://translate.google.com/translat...late.google.ca