I know that DML is not known for easy to read instructions, but I hate the ones in this kit. Other than that, I am enjoying this build mainly because I'm learning a lot about PE. By no means is this going to be as nice as the Panthers I see posted on this site every day, But I will try to post what I have gotten done in the morning.

I got that kit. Botched it up pretty bad. Tried to do my own zimmerit. Now it is a spares source. Good luck with yours. The instructions are difficult. I'd like to see how it turns out.

Ok, I have my first question for anybody who has built this kit. In step 16, when making the brackets for the sledge hammer the two flat pieces that attach the whole works to the tank are not labeled. Does anybody have insight into what parts these are?

Hi Josh, yep aren't those photo type instructions fun!?

If I understand your question correctly I believe the parts you are looking for are B37 for the piece the sledge is atached to, and B38 for the bigger one towards the front of the tank.

Mike

I would like to find the guy that decided that those instructions were a good idea, hang him by his toes and hit a tender part of his anatomy with a two by four that has a rusty nail thru it. Do all of the premium kits have those kinds of instructions, cause I'm not sure I wanna fight with anymore of them till I get more experienced. The kit itself though is turning into a very enjoyable build. Getting a lot of experience with photo etch, some of it is looking ok and some shows I'm just now learning as I go.

Have I mentioned how much I hate these instructions yet?

Hi Josh ...I'm working on the same kit right now too ,and I'm glad I know a bit about the panther or I'd be scratching my head too ...There are a few things to really watch out for ...
1) in step 13 be sure you place part B11 and B10 with the wing nuts facing up and not sticking out front like in the instructions ..also if I were you I wouldn't add the parts B41 and B42 until later as they seem to hinder the fitting of the upper and lower hull if they are added before the hull is together .
2)Some late A"s didn't have the pistol port on the rear of the turret so check your references to which rear part you should use... also some A"s didn't have the towing bar added like in step 5 so you should check your references there too.You can use part E 18 if you don't want the tow bar.
I'm still at step 6 so you're ahead of me and slowly plugging away at this one ,I kinda got the PE in place on the mufflers ...there were a few choice words spoken as I tried to get everything lined up right ..I still need to adjust the PE to fit the jack support into place ..aarrggh!

Rick

It's good to know, I'm not the only one suffering through this right now. My wife made me take a break at the point of the muffler PE, she said I was cussing to much I don't think that when working that all into place that there is such a thing as too much profanity. The Pe around the tools will really drive you up the wall, I couldn't see, and still can't see how the heck that's all supposed to fit like they say it should. I had to get creative and make do on those.

Oh and you are dead on about leaving fenders of till the upper and lower hull are joined. I went by the instructions and it was a royal pain to join the two halves. I had to squeeze in the lower hull and push the side down with tweezers . All in all it took the better part of an hour to do something that should have just taken a minute.

Lol ..sorry I was too late to help you on the hull parts.. You'd think they could have given us some new mufflers instead of having to fill those crevises left when not using the original plastic parts !!! Oh well got it done and have got the PE in place ..I still need some final touch ups .So yes it can be done Don't give up on them..patience a pair of pliars and a needle file is all you need .





Rick

Hi Rick, long time no talk, hope all is well with you. Nice work on the muffler assembly, they look good. I have this one in my stash as well (along with 4 other DML Panthers ) and plan on starting on it, or maybe the newer steel wheel G, when I finish what's on my desk now.

So, how are y'all (yep I'm southern ) planning on doing the zimmerit?

Josh, not all of the Premium kits have the photo type instructions, but I know the Panther D and the "Porsche" turret Tiger II kits still come with them .

Best guys,
Mike

Hi Mike ...Quite busy up here with the new stable and all ,but I still try and get in a bit of modelling time once and a while ..Haven't used my airbrush in over a year ..YIKES! Zimmerit is done ...I used the Atak set and it fits great ....




I recommend it if you haven't already thought about it .


Rick

don't know how im going to do the zim yet, considering the milliput method

I got this one also. I must agree on the instructions. But when was the last time we heard anything good about DML instructions?

So very true

where can i buy a set of zim rakes? I have tried to locate a set and have been unable to. what kind are the best versus what kind is the cheapest? I thought about using a screwdriver to do it and still might but thought it was worth asking about

I have Tamiya's rakes and they work fine ...I bought them at my LHS a long time ago ..I'm sure they are still available ...AFV Club has a roller out now that might be interesting to look at as well .

Rick

shows how bad i am at finding stuff on the net, i couldn't find anything on the afv club roller, i think im going to try the putty and screwdriver method now though. i have both so im not out any more money. anybody have any idea about how wide the screwdriver needs to be? i thought i read 5mm somewhere but holding it up to the kit 5mm seems awful big.

..Never had the courage to try that...But I just measured the Atak set and 5mm looks about right.

Rick

5 mm it is then. I figure that Im down to zim, paint, shurtzen(however you spell it) and weathering so i might as well give it a go on an old one and see what happens. If it turns out good ill get it on the panther

Well, it's not perfect but I did the putty and screwdriver method for zim. Not bad for a first attempt at this method. I strongly suggest that if you are worried about doing it this way that you should get just a cheap old tamiya cause you can usually get one for under twenty bucks and try it out. I was worried out of my mind but it's not real hard but it is time consuming. Putty has already dried and first coat of rattle can has been sprayed. Hopefully all will dry during the night without problems. If so tomorrow it will get a coat of gloss coat and if it gets sprayed early enough decals may even go on.

can't wait to see some pictures!!

Rick

Can't wait to have it looking good enough to post a few myself

Hi Josh,
I just discovered your thread about the DML Panther A Late. I have the kit waiting for me also, but oh my... when I read this all !
Luckily I have bought the ATAK zimmerit and it looks top quality (as seen in your thread).
I didn't study the box content yet, didn't check the instruction sheets, but there is one good advice I can give you :
Before I start a new project, I try to find lots of information and good detail photos for reference (internet), and when done, I make a sort of documentation map of it. It won't leave my work table until the project is done. It's very handy to have pics of the real thing, and to check how professional builders did the job.
I'll hook up on this thread and wish you all the luck you need to make this a stunning Panther A.

Cheers friend ! G.

Well, been nearly a week since I even touched this kit, I hurt my back Monday evening and it hurts to much to work on it. Im on an anti-inflammatory so hopefully I'll be able to start back in on the paint and decals this weekend