Airfix (Lee's favourite!) 1/76 Panther

[chief5437]

Right then, as I still can't find a decent kit for this GB, I'm gonna start with this little gem!



Airfix dont even know what type of Panther this is, so it's whichever was around at D-Day!!

I'm not expecting a great deal from this kit, here is the picture Airfix use on their website!!



Even the boxart shows it in an 'African' setting, as far as I know, Panthers never made it to Africa?!

Anyway, here's the sprue shot



No flash but what detail there is, is very soft at best. And those tracks!! I've seen more detail on rubber bands!

Simple destructions in 7 steps



Not a lot to it, so should be a quick build, although I'll try and add some details to make it a bit more interesting. A decision I'll probably regret, as I could spend an age detailing this and it'll still look pants once those tracks go on! Lol!

Anyway, it's something to do while I try and find a better kit!

Wish me luck

[Lee]

ha ha ha - I love that shot that they use on their website....PMSL

[Paul]

That pics not honestly from the airfix website is it lol

[chief5437]

That pics not honestly from the airfix website is it lol

Yep, gen up! I couldn't believe it myself

[Paul]

That pics not honestly from the airfix website is it lol

Yep, gen up! I couldn't believe it myself

I didn't realise lee had sent pictures of his to them to use, fair play

Yes I know lee made a tiger but that doesn't fit into the joke lol

[chief5437]

Pahahahaha! It can't be Lee's, it's finished! Lol!

[Paul]

Pahahahaha! It can't be Lee's, it's finished! Lol!

Awww that's a bit of a low blow

[Lee]

Bastards.....lol

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

erhmmm..... Good luck?
Couldn't belief my eyes seeing that finished model pic... jeez...
Anyway, I'll bet you will make it a lot better though!
And I hope you will succeed on your quest of a better model

[chief5437]

Cheers Frans!

I was looking for a BARV or a Churchill with the 'bobbin' roller in 1/72 or 1/76. The only ones I could find were resin kits, but the detail looked a bit soft and 'toy like'! Can't find any in 1/48 or 1/35 either. I could probably make one by using a sherman or Churchill as a base, but then it's getting hold of decent references. Even then, I can't justify spending a load of cash on references just for one kit.

Ah well, the search continues!

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

I know what you mean...
I was looking for a conversion for the Churchill myself, but way to expensive.

But you could do some scratch building.
Why not a Churchill AVRE with fascine on tilt-forward cradle.


Lots of info to find and seems easy enough to scratch...

[chief5437]

Yeah, I did toy with the idea of the fascine. Might be my only option. Either way, I'll have to get something soon! Lol! Cheers dude!

[mannloon]

Yeah man, Hobart's Funnies should be well represented in a D-Day group build.

Also, does the fact the Panther is in an environment with palm trees bother anyone else? I mean...Does Sicily have palm trees? Either way it suggests tropical which everyone associates with DAK..I've never built airfix but I'm starting to think it's about as horrid as Revell America.

[Coen]

It's also a Panther G which is a bit late for D-Day, but hey... who's countin eh?
I love that promo shot though. That's a hell of a build.

AFV Club makes some really awesome Churchills, I've built two of them now and I loved every minute of the builds... including the billions of road wheels.
The suspension is completely articulated. The tracks are a bit botchey though.

[chief5437]

Cheers Coen, to be honest I don't even think Airfix know what type of Panther this is, hence 'panther tank' on the box art?! From what I've read, it's not really a panther anyway, lol! Apparently it's all wrong, height, length, angles. You name it, they got wrong or just omitted it. Oh well, I'll just call it a field modified panther mark 2.0, lol!

Those AFV churchills do look nice, but can't find the version I was after. I may have to scrap my original idea and go with something else.

Cheers dude!

[chief5437]

hey guys, first update on this 'thing'

Added a few details to try and spruce it up a bit. Towing eyes, lifting rings, grab handles, hatches and rain guards to name a few, lol!

Took longer than building the main parts. Fit is terrible by the way, and I don't even think the tracks will fit between the drive wheels and the sponsons. So this still might be getting the business end of the persuading stick!

Anyway, here it is primed, ready for pre shading...





That's all for now, thanks for looking!

[DC87]

Ah the Airfix kits where they just didn't care about accuracy and dimensions, looks like a Panther but every angle is wrong. Well done so far Chief, good luck with the wheels and tracks - I take it they are the old melted vinyl variety .

[Lee]

That's a mighty fine sherman you've got there

[chief5437]

Ha Ha! It's certainly a contender for a tub of doom! I'd ask you for one Lee, but I know all yours are being used! Lol

@DC cheers dude, yes they're the horrible strips of scrap rubber Airfix found on the side of the road!

[Daishi12]

That's a mighty fine sherman you've got there

Thought it was the Male tank Mk1 ... gotta love Airfix, you either do that or sit dribbling in the corner.

[Coen]

That's a mighty fine sherman you've got there

[MarkVerploeg]

That's a mighty fine sherman you've got there

I knew it the Germans dressed up a Panther to look like a M-10
But the Americans dressed up a Sherman to look like a Panther
and Airfix actually has a kit for it
Ooh modelling is so confusing at times

[chief5437]

That's a mighty fine sherman you've got there

I knew it the Germans dressed up a Panther to look like a M-10
But the Americans dressed up a Sherman to look like a Panther
and Airfix actually has a kit for it
Ooh modelling is so confusing at times

Lol!!!

[chief5437]

Hey guys! Well, for some Reason my last update isn't showing on here? So here we go for the final one.

Painted, cleared and decaled. Tried stretching the tracks after a soak in hot water. Worked but it was getting close to snapping, so I'll have to make do. It was a really tight fit between the drive sprockets and sponsons, I ended up bending the axles to get them on!



Then it was time for a (heavy) wash of dark dirt...



Followed by some pigments and highlights. Aaaaaand, we're done!

Not the best, but I think it's an improvement on Airfix's effort, lol!




That's all, I'll stick some pics in the reveal section. Thanks for looking

[Coen]

Silk purse, pig's ear!
You certainly out did Airfix's try.
That came out really really well. Too bad about those tracks,they're the only really obvious down fall of the kit.
Well done Chief.

[gaz45]

very nice work mate

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Brilliant
Better then the one Airfix made!
Maybe you can sent them a pic of your Panter?
Let them show how it's done?

[UKguyInUSA]

Great job as always....makes Airfix's effort look like a kiddies toy! They should swop their marketing photo with yours and pay you a commission for any that are sold from thereon!

[chief5437]

Cheers guys!

[DBMiller]

I'm still amazed you finished so fast!