Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72 - finished
Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72 - finished
Dumbo comes to mind with this build. The song says ‘But I've been, done, seen about everything , when I see a elephant fly’, I thought I had seen pretty much everything in model kits i.e. flash that totally covered the parts, warping on an intergalactic scale, occasional missing or broken pieces, foggy canopies, you name it, I’ve been there, bought it and built it. But this kit was something new!
I was kindly given the Matchbox Grumman Panther by a fellow modeller as part of his attic clearance. It was in its original box All the parts were still on the sprues, the instructions were there and so were the decals. It looked as if it would be a fairly straightforward build between more difficult builds.
Following normal convention, I tackled the tub first. Being Matchbox, it was pretty crude, but a few extra bits and some paint improved it considerably. Then I came to fitting it into the fuselage. It was only then that I noticed the gap – talk about ‘Mind the gap’. There was a yawning curving chasm that stretched from the rear of the cockpit to near the tail on the port side of the fuselage. Look at the first photo to see what I mean. (with apologies for not having the camera on the correct setting). The area shown in white is where the gap was. I have backed it off with plastic card. The underside as shown in the top part of the photo also shows the gap, though by that stage, not backed off.
Had someone cut it out for purposes unknown? There were no signs of knife marks so that was not the answer. It looked as if the mould had run out of plastic last thing on a Friday afternoon. So much for it being a straightforward build. Could this be my 'bridge too far 'at Toko Rio?
In the second photo, you can see where I have filed in the gaps. It took a mix of plastic card and filler, all sanded down to blend it in.
I’m on the case. It's just gong to take a bit longer than I thought.
I was kindly given the Matchbox Grumman Panther by a fellow modeller as part of his attic clearance. It was in its original box All the parts were still on the sprues, the instructions were there and so were the decals. It looked as if it would be a fairly straightforward build between more difficult builds.
Following normal convention, I tackled the tub first. Being Matchbox, it was pretty crude, but a few extra bits and some paint improved it considerably. Then I came to fitting it into the fuselage. It was only then that I noticed the gap – talk about ‘Mind the gap’. There was a yawning curving chasm that stretched from the rear of the cockpit to near the tail on the port side of the fuselage. Look at the first photo to see what I mean. (with apologies for not having the camera on the correct setting). The area shown in white is where the gap was. I have backed it off with plastic card. The underside as shown in the top part of the photo also shows the gap, though by that stage, not backed off.
Had someone cut it out for purposes unknown? There were no signs of knife marks so that was not the answer. It looked as if the mould had run out of plastic last thing on a Friday afternoon. So much for it being a straightforward build. Could this be my 'bridge too far 'at Toko Rio?
In the second photo, you can see where I have filed in the gaps. It took a mix of plastic card and filler, all sanded down to blend it in.
I’m on the case. It's just gong to take a bit longer than I thought.
- iggie
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
That looks like a short-shot on a stupendous scale! It looks like you've made a good recovery though
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
It appears nothing will stand in your way to getting a finished model. You do like a challenge don't you ?
I'll follow along with interest!
I'll follow along with interest!
- JamesPerrin
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
That's the largest short shot I've ever seen. Must have been the last of the day.
Classic British Kits SIG Leader Better to fettle than to fill
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
I've never seen a short shot that bad either. Still, it's nothing a bit of placcy card, half a ton of filler and some careful sanding won't sort out
Doing - Tamiya 1/35th Universal Carrier.
Work is the curse of the modelling classes!
IPMS#12300
Work is the curse of the modelling classes!
IPMS#12300
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
Thank goodness for filler - by the lorry load! This has moved from construction category to conversion-on-a-large-scale category. No wonder your friend did not attempt to build it. Bet it will be a great model when finished though.
Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
That is a bridging job of river kwai proportions. Very nice work. Looking forward to seeing the end result.
All the best.
Greg
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
Definitely a Friday afternoon job, probably after a liquid lunch.
COLD WAR S.I.G. LEADER
Wherever there's danger, wherever there's trouble, wherever there's important work to be done....I'll be somewhere else building a model!
Wherever there's danger, wherever there's trouble, wherever there's important work to be done....I'll be somewhere else building a model!
Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
What brand of filler are you using for this, because I'm off to buy some shares in it!
Great save though.
Great save though.
On The Bench
Takom 1/35 M247 Sgt. York.
Takom 1/35 M247 Sgt. York.
Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72 - finished
The yawning gap has been filled. I have gone for a colour scheme that does everything possible to disguise the patchup. I'm no fool!
Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72
An amazing comeback. We'll done.
The scheme you chose is very attractive; and the modelling is superb.
The scheme you chose is very attractive; and the modelling is superb.
Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72 - finished
That is the best build of a Matchbox Panther I have ever seen. Superb work and rescue.
All the best.
Greg
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72 - finished
Yikes,that is really one classy save.
Does that scheme make it a "Drone-ther"?
Does that scheme make it a "Drone-ther"?
You could see him thinking "Bleedin'pilots,don't know nuffin.All glammer" He's probably right.
A/C.2 Webber,Manston,1941,First Light by Geoff Wellum.
A/C.2 Webber,Manston,1941,First Light by Geoff Wellum.
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72 - finished
I wrote that it would be an excellent model when finished….I have been proved right.
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Re: Grumman Panther; Matchbox 1/72 - finished
Superb skill to overcome that amount of missing plastic, and the colour scheme is a delight!
I am convinced that if you bought a box of fresh air under a table at a show for 10p, you'd still manage to make something from it!
I am convinced that if you bought a box of fresh air under a table at a show for 10p, you'd still manage to make something from it!
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"