OK, this is my first dragon kit I have the AM aber PE set to go along (and man, PE is small! I really hope I'll get it alright). for the paint scheme I'm going to go with something very nice i have seen in osprey's book: it's the 3 colors camo, but in straight line. It really has caught my eye.
I have started with the lower hull, when i came across this part P7, which I didn't understand to where it goes to from the instructions. moreover, it seems that the part is only attached to 1 side of the hull, and not both. could anyone shed some light on this?



the instructions for part P7:

part P7 sitting on the hull. note the indentation. this is (i figure) the part should go to

Hi Matan,

great to see you started a build. Nice model you have there.




you're sure it was a panther D or rather a G maybe? It depends if you want to just have fun or be somewhat accurate. The choice is up to you.

here you have a link with a very interesting and detailed build of an ausf D with zimm (the same as yours).


panther d + zimmerit

have fun

spit

yeah, I re-read the book, to find where P7 goes, and the straight camo pattern belongs to a panther G

ok then,
i checked with this build log https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/120344&page=1 and P7 indeed goes there. the thing i don't understand it, why doesn't it exists on the other side by the way, i have just finished reading that build log. after that, i hope i can do this kit justice

after installing the road wheels' arms, i laid the hull on a straight platform, and gently pressed downward, and holding a roller on the arms themselves, to make sure everything is even. the idler arms will be installed later, in order to achieve the right sag effect

what i like about this kit is, that it comes with all sorts of 'bonus' parts. such as metal tow shackles:

these are very easily attached to the model, using a plastic pin


now its time for some filling. there is a small gap between the lower hull, and the "zimmerite" part that goes on it. so, using mr. thinned putty (great for small creeks and such) i fill it:



the exhaust parts has a small gap that needs filling. for this, i use tamyia putty:

before:

after:


I have decided to model the 'early' version of this vehicle, including the smoke launchers, and stowage bins without zimm on the back.
any pictures of an 'early' panther D are very welcomed

ok then,
first time ever working with PE. I must say, PE is not easy (probably a matter of experience), sometimes it's frustrating - but it is fun, and the result is great.
in this part, i've built the exhausts holders. came out a bit bendy i'm afraid :
i started working with the dragon PE but quickly moved to the Aber PE: the dragpon set was just too "soft" or bendy, while the Aber was more firm and easy (to my opinion) to work with.
any way, here are the pictures. all comments are welcomed.

today on the table: the Jack.
i had to re-build most of it, adding Aber PE parts. the hard thing was, building the clamp that holds the handle. took my at least 1 hour just for the tiny clamps. there has got to be an easier way to build them, and i'd appreciate any tips

right then, these are dragon's jack instructions:

added with these from Aber:

let the rebuilding begin!



the jack holders:





the clamps - any tips on these are extremely welcomed! what i did after a long time of trying ot get it right was to glue on pin of one part to the handle, then one pin of the other part, bend the band, glue the pins and install it wherever it needs to be



the jack - finally in place!

You've obviously put a lot of hard, tedious effort into that. It will look great under paint, and the time spent will be well worth it. Keep it coming.

I think the jack is badly placed. It's fittings should go under the exhaust covers.

hmm, could be. i have placed it based on this, from here
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/120344&page=2



that is why i have place them on top instead of on the bottom

I like the work that you show in this Panther !.

I have one maybe if I finish my Tiger B first!

some further work done this day. I must say, this kit is a huge leap from the italeri / revell kit i'm used to build. Add to that the PE from Aber and you get a not so simple build. But, i guess one has to learn sometime the only thing that annoys me regarding this kit, are Dragon's instructions. The building steps are pretty busy, and sometimes the instructions are just not clear as i'd like them to be. I've been trying to build another type of Aber PE clamps, but they were just too hard for me (due to extremely small size) so, I just decided to not use them on the stowage bins.

Matan your Tiger is purrrrrring. Looking good my friend. Looking very good.

hm... It's a Panther

it's the thought that counts
thank you very much!

further progress made: this time, the travel lock and left side tools' emplacement.
lots of PE work on the tools' emplacement, not easy, a bit cumbersome but the end result is very nice. i did a little mix of Aber and Dragon PE, cause some parts on the Dragon PE sheet were just easier to use.
anyway, here are the pictures (and yes, the travel lock moves )

I certainly have to compliment you on all that small PE work,all you folks who can handle that stuff are great,it's beyond me.When i did my D I left most of it off except the screens,but it is certainly worth the effort.Looking foward to the outcome !!

thanks a lot Anthony! PE is nothing to be sneezed at for a beginner, but take it from me - the results are great. you just have to try and "dip your toes in the water"

some more progress done today! Funnily enough. most of the build is PE. Hardly touched the model itself Anyway, to my regret, my PE tool isn't proving to work as it should; so it just lies somewhere in my room. Today i have built the right hand tools' emplacemnet, and have started working on the tool emplacement for the hammer and the metal bar (?) hammer needed some filling, so i've used the same pre thinned putty i did before.
enjoy!
all comments are welcomed with thanks

wow, I can't believe that I'm almost finished with the build.
got only the road wheels and such to add, but these are waiting to be painted first.
as I'm nearing the end of the build this is what i have to say on the kit:
the details are great and over-all quality is also great. some very minor flash and sink marks, and a gap that had to be filled between lower and upper hall, but as the kit as a whole is so good, i can look over that one thing i didn't like are the instruction. i prefer the normal sketches and drawing, not this "picture" type instructions, which, as far as i can see from reading reviews here, are pretty rare. well, there is a reason: sometimes they are unclear, sometimes they are just vague and you have no idea what to do next. oh, and there is one thing that puzzles me: Dragon went to such length and added metal cannon, metal shackles and lots of great 'bonus' parts, but the decals are only for 2 unidentified units? come on.
any way, after the build i went to check if what people say is true, and panther can swim, and they can: the model took the soap bath very well i hope to get on to priming tomorrow.
I hope that you have enjoyed the build log as i have. all comments are welcomed with thanks

I recently built another version of the D by Dragon and it had the same part ,and yes it was only on one side.PE can be very frustrating if you`re not used to working with tiny pieces.Some are almost microscopic.It just takes practice.

Well done, I agree with Robbin, my KingTiger tinny parts are

Looking good Matan, nice build so far. Will be good to get some primer on it and camo colors. Keep at it!

Cheers -
Tim

well then, finally got some batteries
primer done, so are the camo colors and decals. sprayed some the local substitute for 'future'. tried to do some preshading using tamiya's brown and red brown colors. overall paint was done with mr. hobby german armor wwII set.
next will mig german filter will be added and then some weathering
also, this is my first time using airbrush, so i'll appreciate any comments and criticism about my method of painting.
anyway, here are the pictures. all comments are welcomed with thanks

PE is nothing to be sneezed at by anyone!!

As for your painting, I would advise using a lower PSI or holding the AB further away from the model. You have some unsightly runs.

SCOTT