GERMAN MEDIUM TANK PANTHER D DRAGON 1/35

It is an early type Panther tank. It is built in October 2014.

I make the Dragon Model’s premium kit Panther D. It is the luxurious kit with photo-etched parts and a metal gun barrel. I wonder now it’s still available? I want Dragon Model to resell these masterpiece products regularly. It is a disappointing point that many high quality kits are limited release.
The panther is the required subject of the German tank fan, but Panther’s slant armor is unlike as German typical tank which is a big characteristic of love it or hate it . I made the type G before, I like it very much except that the side of the chassis is seen open too much.
(04-October-2014)

I painted the road wheels in advance. This process was not effective for whole painting process, after all assembled.

Because I used the photo-etched parts for various points, it is sharp impression. Etching parts were some places too thin, and there were many hard processes. The stop tab of the spare caterpillar treads were particularly difficult.

I suppose one of the main appeal points of the Panther is a caterpillar slanting beautiful curve. So I chose the side armor plates only limited attaching.

Side of the rear compartments were guarded by heat shield plates from muffler heating. I felt the German tanks craftsman spirit.

I made small arms bullet holes and a little bent for right side armor.

The gun barrel’s clamp chain was one of the most favorite point of this kit though it’s very tiny parts.

There are so many parts option and no notice on the instruction manual, I suppose it’s impossible to make accurate Panther without a technical guide book. I chose them based on the looking without deep concern.
This time, almost all etched parts are used, many detailed works and hard, and feel of accomplishment.

Pistol ports are available to be outside of the turret. I made 2 side ports are outside and rear pistol port was closed.

I’m not sure the merit of metal parts of smoke discharger. Before the painting, multi-material finish up is nice looking. It’s perfect if I chose the metal caterpillar.

The engine room cover mesh is a great appeal point. It’s very valuable to include these photo-etched parts in this kit.

 

I attached two tank crews. The right side person is modeled from Michael Wittmann but I think he did not ride Panther. So thinking he is only one of the tank commander.

This camouflage painting was the campaign in Krusk in 1943 Summer. The green line is characteristic for mid summer operation. I think it good random pattern blowing airbrush. Still now it’s like the toy taste with no weathering, the tank’s best part is muddy, dusty, and rusty and battle damage.
(04-October-2014)

The Panther had the variation of type A, G, F and this type D, and the type D was the first actual fighting debut vehicle. I have heard that the random alphabetical order for confusing the Soviet Army, actually this meaning is the development start order. But the truth has not been found.

This time, I painted heavy weathering mud and rust, especially on the chassis, caterpillar and road wheels.

The marking is Panzer-Grenadier-Division Großdeutschland at the time of the participation for Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943. On this instruction manual, the coloring is in the Karachev area, it’s northwest of Kursk. I suppose this dark yellow and dark green camouflage pattern is best matched for the Kursk summer campaign.

Mud weathering gradation is difficult to express. Too much done is just muddy block.

I did washing on the top and turret, and side of the body to make a little dark. It’s matched with the dark muddy chassis.

Cupola hatch and left front hatch is movable for fitting figures.

Did the weathering of the engine panels become monotonous? Though the military unit mark of the leopard is simple, it’s considerably cool.

I shined the OVM tools for the accent against muddy color.

I drew rust on the side Armor moderately, too. I painted the caterpillar tread using washing technique with the plural pastel colors, but it’s hard to control the pastel because a color changes completely after having dried when I first get wet. Maybe the best way is the first process to use enamel paint, and finish up with pastel. There will be room for the further examination in the future.

I did the clear coating which expressed mud with a pastel. Is it not helped where the place of a hard pastel working still remain dusty even I splayed mat clear coating? After I finish up, I didn’t touch the dusty points as possible as I can.

Be careful, too much thick coating changed the original pastel color.

As I commented on the making process, many photo-etched parts has sharp mold.

The bottom of the slant armor kept the much mud, the upper armor weathering was modest. The presence of the caterpillar treads of panter is more overwhelming than Mark III and Mark IV tank.

Climatic point of this model is weathering of road wheels and caterpillar. Some part too much effect, but totally balanced, I suppose.

These crew heads are injection kit, but I could paint well, good looking guys this time.

He is a tank commander. Please don’t ask about the glove in summer. I suppose the driver might be having glove in the driving compartment. I always have my glove on when I ride my motorcycle and road bike.

The other side shot.

Tank commander and driver. I painted them nicely this time.

Back shot of commander.

Assured expressive face. The panther was the best balanced tank of armor and fire power, he didn’t feel to lose.

It’s impressive the long gun barrel comparing with the tank crews. I had a hard time in assembling to handle photo-etched parts and weathering. Finally not so bad ending generally. I was able to make it happily.
(11-October-2014)