Kursk build #1 Italeri 1/35 Panther D ***FINISHED***

[Chris]

where did you scrounge the screens from Chris?

Leftovers in the spares box Dirk.

Years ago I used to build armor for store displays for a shop I knew, the pay was the model supplies that were left over, things like teh mesh were part of that.

[Chris]

Off to a good start. That nylon mesh looks great for the air vents!

I found The Mesh Company to be an excellent source of all different grades and materials. They sell them in A4 sheets too. I used a fine grade for a 1/76 King Tiger, but have wider mesh sheets waiting for a 1/16 King Tiger that has been in my stash for years...

That's a great resource Neil, thanks.

[spitfire1677]

Great start Chris, I will be watching this one I am going to start the same one some time soon.

Regards

Chris

[Chris]

I look forward to seeing it Chris!

[Chris]

Time for the screen work on the rear, first an imporession is made on paper to get the size




Next the screens are cut with sciccors and glued on with white glue



The square holes have have covers that the instructions say to paint green, this is done and the effect is quite good



Next the front hatches and the engine and hatch are comstructed, the engine hatch can be hinged to open and close and I decided to leave that as an option


At this point the heat and my arthirtis kicked in to make a stop for the day.

[ShaunW]

The mesh looks nice and fine for this job Chris. However, shouldn't the mesh be on top of the vents, rather than underneath?

[Chris]

No idea.

[Chris]

Looks like you are right Shaun, luckily I have more material and will add them on top.

[Chris]

Did filters on the top, pics tomorrow.

[ntrocket88]

Looking good Chris. Don't know if this is helpful, or if you found a good reference photo already, but I did these mesh covers on a 1/76 King Tiger. The Panther was the same, except for the forward two, which were raised up higher on the KT, presumably to fill the gap under the turret rear overhang.

[Chris]

Thanks Neil, I already made them on top, I found a black and white photo of a Panther D that clearly showed the screens above the vents and worked from that.

[Chris]

The vent work is completed with screens on the upper works


The upper works is completed but not glued to the hull to ease painting of the wheels and treads



The turret is constructed, it took some work to get the seam out of the barrel


Primary construction is complted, painting is next. I left off the tools, its easier to prepaint them and attach them later

[Chris]

The tank is painted dunkel gelb, which means german dark yellow


The tedious job of painting the rubber on the road wheels is next


The upper works are sprayed with dark green following a pattern I found on the net for Kursk Panthers




Upper and lower hull are test fitted, some touchups on the paint job are needed

[spitfire1677]

Very nice job on the camouflage Chris

Regards
Chris

[Chris]

Thanks Chris.

Not a lot done today, painted the tracks and attached them and glued the hull together



Since I used the skirts I didn't have to bother with making the treads sag onto the running gear, saving me considerable hassle.