I would like to know how to make a crows foot antenna for the panther D early model in 1/72nd scale. Are there how to videos or tutorials on how to make them?
Thank you.

I think Part makes a set which contains a Sternantenne, although I don’t recall for which vehicle it is designed. Probably much easier than fabricating one from scratch.

Hi Jody

Not an easy job in 1/72nd scale as these would be very fine.

Based on the Voyager 1/35th set, each of the 6 arms in the antennae are 8.5mm long. They are fitted to an aerial 2m long, which would be 27.77mm long in 1/72.

I suggest you make a jig from plastic card. Using a pair of dividers or a circle cutter make a circle in the card the size you need to form the arms into the peak shape you want. My best guess is about 6 - 6.5 mm radius. Once the circle is deep enough, notch one place on the edge of the circle as a start point. Place the point of the divider in the notched circle and then notch along the circle the same distance as the radius. Repeat this and you will end up with 6 even spaced notches. This is where the outer end of the 'fanned' aerial will fit while you make it. The other ends will touch over the centre of the circle forming a peak.

Make the 6 fan parts all the same length. One end will need to be pointed so all 6 will fit together at the peak - flat ends won't work unless you form a hex shaped piece for them to glue up to (good luck in this scale!)

You will need to use a nail or something through the centre of the circle to hold these in position while they set up.

Alternately, if you use wire, make one long piece that is the full length of two arms and then form the other 4 arms up to it.

Best I can suggest

Pete,
Thank you for the information,I think it will be a challenge just to practice making it before I feel comfortable making the end result.
Oh Boy!!

Just spoke to a friend who made a different suggestion. The way he did it:

Lay out some tape tacky side up, or strips overlapping each other. If you need to, press the tape onto your bench and then pull it off a few times to reduce the adhesion as you will need to be able to get the frame off later without breaking it.

Using a compass, draw a circle larger than you need on the tape. Mark out the six sections on the circumference like I suggested earlier and then draw lines from one mark through the centre to the other side. The lines will be your guide to laying the blades

Punch out a small disc from .10 styrene that will be the centre hub. If you do not have a punch set, try a pencil eraser (the soft white type)as a base, lay the styrene on it, and use an old drill bit turned upside down to knock out a small disc. You may need a few attempts this way.

Use an exacto blade or small drill bit to indent the centre of the disc where it will sit on the aerial. Put this disc on the centre of the circle you drew with the indent down.

Using .10 thou x .20 thou styrene strips cut out the 6 lengths for the fan and point the end a bit. Place the point over the disc on the tape and line the 'fan blades' along the line that radiates out from the centre. Add glue. Repeat for all 6 fan blades. Let that set.

When dry, gently ease the fan blade ends upwards off the tape. Press down on the centre disc with what you used to punch the disc, and then ease each blade upwards from the edge of the punch to form the antennae. slip a blade under the centre disc to pop off the assembly from the tape.

Using wire for the aerial, glue that into the depression in the disc.

Good luck if you decide to try it.