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Building the Panzer 1

steps 8 to 11 (frame antennae version)

Stages 8 to 11 (Frame antennae version) Here is where you must make your choice of which version you wish to make. As mentioned earlier, there are 3 possible versions, and which construction stage on the instruction sheet you work from depends on which version you are building. I chose the ‘frame antennae’ version, since it I think it just ‘looks’ the part, and at least it means I’ll have some really nice Jerry cans for the spares box! If you choose to complete one of the other two versions please note that you will still have the locating holes for the frame antennae support legs to deal with. These are on the side fenders, and may be difficult to deal with since there is a pattern around them. It may be wise to deal with them early!

Once you have decided on the frame antennae version, there are still choices to be made, so if it’s the sort of thing that bothers you, you will have to check your references for the correct choices. You have a choice of early or late convoy lights. Styrene or photo etch? Do you leave the lights off and fit the smoke racks? There is even a choice of rear fender supports. I chose to leave off the convoy lights completely and fit the smoke racks with the beautiful photo etched chains. I tried both rear fender supports and could not get either type to fit properly. It could have been the way I built it, but I honestly cannot see how they can be made to fit as they are supplied. I had to resort to a minor bit of surgery! I left off the light transparencies at this stage for ease of painting later.

steps 12 to 15 (frame antennae version)

Assembly of all hull details, and tools etc. The jack and wire-cutters have to be seen to be believed in this kit! They are amazing and drop together so simply once cleaned up. Everything fit perfectly with one exception. Part D13 on the instructions is actually D15 on the sprues, and obviously therefore D15 is actually D13! The antennae support is a little fiddly to get straight, but take your time, look at which way around they are fitted and carefully attach the supports K7, 3 & 4 to K6 before fitting the completed assembly to the vehicle. The last part deals with fitting the frame antennae itself. Great care should be taken as to which way up the supports are.... it does matter! The bottoms of the supports are sloped to fit the hull, and there are very tiny semi-circular locating pins at the top. I attached all 3 arms to the antennae itself before fitting the whole assembly to the hull. Try as I might, it just would not sit straight. I eventually had to shave about a millimetre off the bottom of the left front support arm.

steps 8 to 14 (add-on armour version)

Assembly proceeds in much the same way as the previous version with the obvious differences being the add-on armour itself. There are a few things done differently, such as the removal of some bolt detail on the front transmission housing, and don’t forget to fill those holes for the antennae supports you are not using!

steps 8 to 14 (tropical version)

Again there is little difference compared to the frame antennae version. Different detail parts on the rear decking, and the omission of the antennae itself being the only differences. Oh, and you get to use them beautiful Jerry cans with Photo etch inserts. Although really, you could use these for any version as stowage.