I have just finished the interior of a Panther G(early version) and was wondering if actually building a full interior is worhtwhile?This is the second full one i have done,have also done two partials.I have used Jaguar and The Tank Worshop,and can't really decide which is better, or even what the pros and cons are between the two different companies.The only thing i can say is that both of them suffered from warpage as with most resin parts,and a lot of "dry" fitting was needed.

So what does everyone else think?Is it worth spending the money to get these aftermarket interiors or is it a fools game #:-)

Stay Frosty
Hawkeye

Personally, I think most aftermarket kits are a gimick. I can either scratch-build the interior or live with the kit the way it is. I can't justify spending all the extra money on PE and resin conversion sets when I can build it myself. This is especially true of an interior that you will only see 20% of when the vehicle is all closed up.

I personally dont see the point. Id rather have a nice figure in the turret that hides whats inside. If it cant be seen in reality why bother? I have seen tanks displayed with the turret and engine hatches lifted off to show all the work inside, but thats not a tank anymore.

Vehicles like the M20 for example where a lot of the interior can be seen normally would benifit from an aftermarket interior. Or if for some reason the interior was seen normally like a blown up tank where parts of the interior is visible.
Thats my opinion anyway!

From my point of view,adding interiors are a must.It extends the amount of building pleasure I enjoy.I love a good challenge!from apractical point of viwe,if you are closing everything up,why put it in.If you will leave hatches open,without figures,and plan to show it at a contest,there better be something in there for the penlight carrying rivet counters.You can have the best assembled and painted,most accurate kit in the lot but,as soon as the penlight hits the hatch,your out of the running.I personally love full interiors and engines.If there is a hatch that can be opened,I open it.The exterior of a tank is awesome but,I like to show the cramped conditions that an interior has to offer the crew.It gives the feeling that this is truely a shrunken AFV.Not only that but,I like to have a reason for the spilled oils and wear that the vehicle has on it.What better way than to see it in it's entirety.This is how I see things-through resin colored glasses!My $.02
(:-)

It all depends on how much of the interior would be visible. On open-top AFV like the M20 mentioned above just begs for detail. If you're doing a tank with open hatches.... maybe at least a partial interior could be included. If there will be figures stuffed into the openings, I just paint the interior a flat black and dull-coat it afterwards.

You would have to make the call as to just how far you want to go.

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe
Mortars in Miniature

I say do one if u want to
They are super fun though
Brandenus Pimpus

I have done one partial interior for a Panther and am working on a full interior and engine compartment for a Panzer III. I have just put the Panzer III aside because the Tankworkshop interior is giving me trouble and I want to start my Tristar panzer 1 A. I find that interiors are worth the effort and expense. If done well, an interior can really add to the overall realism of a vehicle. It also increases personal satisfaction which is the most important part of modelling, no? I hope to start an interior to the panzer 1 soon and will one day get back to the Pzkpfw. III. I do not see myself doing any kits without interiors for quite some time but I must remember that it takes me quite some time to finish even one model.
Happy Modelling,
Andrew

Personally, if you're building the interior or any other details for your model - because you want to do it and have fun - then's it's always worthwhile.

If you're only doing the extra effort to impress someone or get a bunch of kudos - then it isn't worth the modeling effort or time.

Gunnie

I think it's worth it, it makes modelling more fun, and if nothing else the weight it added is comfortable. I think my tiger with the partial interior plus the Aber set, and the Friul tracks are of the correct scale weight too.... #:-)

Hawkeye,
As a person like myself I am in the prosess of scratchbuilding a COMPLETE interior for a Panzer IV J in 1/72nd scale. So in my opinon to your question is this, if you want to scratchbuild an interior for your kit then do so. The real vehical has an interior then I would put one in or better yet scratchbuild the interior it will be more accurate that a store bought interior. From what I have learned from fellow modelers in here is just have fun. Modelling is for you to have fun, if it is not fun any more then it is not worth doing!

Must....finish.......interior......Ahhhhh!!!!! #:-)

Is it worth while is alot like asking "to be or not to be". If it satisfies your needs in the hobby the answer is yes . If You feel nothing for it then you.ve wasted your money. I've been working on a full interior of an ISraeli m109 Doher . to date I've shelled out over 330 bucks, but at each turn I'm fairly proud of what I've done so although i can't afford that Diamond 'T' transporter this year maybe I'll ge it next year. So for me yeah its worth while,it gos with what I always tell newbies. Build to please only yourself :-)

Josh Weingarten
aka shiryon
A bit poorer in pocket never bored

Said perfectly shiron
Brandenus Pimpus

To harken back to the old days...

"If it feels good do it!!"

I'm just getting back in to building after many years off, but I have always figured thaat when I build I do it first and foremost for me! If others like it- GREAT, if not so long as I enjoyed it that's all that matters.

And, well truth be known, I'm an interior junkie! A M557 wwith scrathbuilt interior is in the works...an M1a1 is around the bend too.

Happy to have found this site!

Jaster

Welcome back
Brandenus Pimpus

Amen Brother. I refuse to spend any more bucks on the interiors. I'll make it myself.

Glad I am not the only one against costly resin update and PE sets. It is more fun to try and build it yourself.

Do what feels good. If it comes with and interior I will build it.