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Building a 1:8 Scale Panther: Part 1

Editors Note: Here is part 1 of a 3 part series by Peter Mealing on his amazing 1:8 scale Panther build-up/conversion. Peter's work has been recognized with a silver medal at the 2002 Model Engineers Exhibition in England. This was quite an honor with 760 competitors in the running. Peter's other large scale tank, a Russian T-34 won the bronze medal.  - Jim

Why a 1/8 Scale Panther?

A combination of reasons really. Whilst talking on the phone to a dear friend, an ex Spitfire pilot and a very clever engineer in his own right, he told me his latest project was a working scratch built tank out of brass! We have both built boats and submarines in the past, Nick my friend, even built a steam turbine powered submarine all from scratch! I believe some of his marvellous models are now on Armorama.

The conversation drifted on to a web site that he had seen that imported Russian built large-scale tanks. Additionally having served for 25 years as an officer in the Regular Army and having driven all sorts of armoured vehicles from the Chieftain tank to the Russian T34, I have always had a fascination for armour. The die was cast!

I contacted the importer and visited him in March 2001. I was given a demonstration of a 1:8 scale Panther running. The first impression is the size! For most of us brought up on 1:35 and even 1:25 it was huge. We agreed a price for a T34 that he said was due to be available in two to three months. Three months later and no T34 on the horizon (available now I am led to believe from January 2002); very disappointed, I spoke to the importer again and settled on a Panther that was available ex stock from Russia.