Adding the track links and finishing the model 
The track cleats are glued on to the hinge section of the track links.
This presents a problem in that the hinge will collapse when you press the cleat
on the hinge to set the glue. To keep the hinge from collapsing
a brass rod was inserted through the hinge and then the cleats pressed in place.
The spare track links were to be glued on to a strip of 1mm card stock on the
rear of the hull. This is not true to the prototype and a replacement
rack for mounting the track links was drawn in illustrator and printed.
In this photo you can see the new rack and painted over section where the
original strip was to be glued.
The final parts to be assembled to the model are the anti-bazooka side skirts.
The skirts were cut apart at the appropriate places and glued on to the fenders
with a backup strip of 1 x 1.5 mm card stock. The backup strip was
added to help flatten out the side fenders on the hull and also to give a solid
glue point to the fenders. One section of the side skirt was left
off to show off the track links the missing skirt also adds a "used" look to
the model. In all of the photos I have seen of the Panther Ausf.
G very few have a complete set of skirts and the skirts that you do see have
a rather banged up look about them.
This finishes the model, well almost finishes the model. My
goal with this model was to build it to pass a 1-foot test, that's a paper model
that looks like a plastic model when viewed at a distance of one foot.
The results speak for themselves.
As for the almost finished statement, I have chosen not to add the infra-red
machine gun to the commander's copula for a couple of reasons.
Two different types of infrared equipment were developed for use on the Panther,
Solution A and Solution B. The solution A system is composed of a single night
scope and searchlight that was only available to the tank commander.
Solution B was composed of three scopes and search lights, one for the gunner,
one for the driver and a third one for the commander. This model
represents Solution B, the issue with the Solution B equipment is that there
is no known surviving set and there are no photos of this equipment.
The kits infrared assembly for the commander did not look like any of the drawings
that I have seen so I am not using it on the model. My other objection
was that it did not mach up to quality of the rest of the model.
What I often will do is call a model "complete" and set it aside for a couple
of months. This allows me to come back to the model with a fresh
approach and fix or add details to the model.
My plans are to scratch build a correct solution B infrared machine gun mount
to the commander's copula. This new mount will also have a MG 42
rather then the MG 32 that is in the kit. I may also put together
a small diorama to display the model. So sometime in the near future
there will be final article showing the added details.
Post Review:
I thought that it would be of interest to the reader to review the model after
completing the build. Over all my opinion of the model has not changed.
This is one of the best Armor models that is available to the card modeler.
The fit is excellent and the coloring and weathering is outstanding, the best
I have seen, though the newest GPM armor models also appear to be outstanding.
What would I like to see improved, well I would like the backside of the parts
printed where necessary. I would also like to see more assembly drawings
of the complex parts, the Halinski Panther has better then average assembly drawings
but the commanders infrared assembly was a real head scratcher and needs to be
more clearly Illustrated.
Summing up my opinion you would be hard pressed to find a better paper model
of a Panther and though the model has a high number of parts I would not call
it a difficult build but it is certainly a complex build. I would
recommend the model to any one who has moderate paper modeling skills and a
good measure of patience.
Now after almost a year I now will get to start my next model and I can tell
you it will not have any track links, a canon maybe, wheels perhaps but absolutely
no track links!
As promised I have made the added detail parts available to our readers you
will find them on the download page of the magazine. Three sheets
are available all in unlocked adobe PDF files. The Radio sheet has the radios,
first aid box and the fire extinguishers these parts should be usable on any
1/25 scale model. The exhaust sheet has there reworked exhaust system
and the rack for the spare track links. The bogie sheet has the
cover strips for the boggie wheels and the suspension arms.
Summary:
| Model: | PzKpfw V Panther 1-2/2002 |
| Kit: | Halinski |
| Designers: | Marian Sobel | Scale: | 1/25 |
| Difficulty: | Very complex, very difficult |
| Number of Parts: | Over 3000 |
| Instructions: | Polish, German and English |
| Diagrams: | 4 pages generally good |
| Fit: | Excellent |
| Coloring and Artwork: | Outstanding |
| Printing: | Excellent |
| Resources: | http://www.achtungpanzer.com/pz4.htm#panther http://www.kithobbyist.com/AFVInteriors/pan/pan.html http://www.militarygameronline.com/Panzer/panther.html "Germany's Panther Tank" by Thomas L. Jentz Published by Schiffer Military History |
