This model represents Panzer No. 432, 4th Company, 51st Panzer Battalion, 39th Panzer Regiment, Kursk, July 1943. This Panther was produced at the Henschel factory in May 1943.
Here’s a summary of additions and modifications:
- Scratch built commander’s cupola interior and using vision blocks from Panzer Art resin upgrade set
- Scratch built weld seams
- Panzer Art antenna
- Wire for forward hatch handles and engine access door hatch handles
- Eureka tow and track change cables
- Rochm Photoetch upgrade kit for retaining chains (with wire pins) on spare track and C hook brackets
- Tamiya “Detail Up” photoetch screens for engine deck grills
- Tamiya individual link track upgrade set
- Aber armament set for main gun barrel, muzzle brake, and coaxial machine gun
- Eduard vehicle clamps (3d printed)
- Various bolt heads on equipment and spare track brackets
- Aber side skirts
- Aber smoke grenade launcher upgrades
- Fine molds fender poles with brass tubing mounting bases
- Zavod detail kit (3d printed) for spare track brackets
AK Real Color lacquer was used for the RAL 8012 primer, applied for chipping effect. Tamiya acrylics were used for the main camo. Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics were used for detail painting. Abteilung oils and AK enamels were used for weathering. Kit decals were used for all markings.
Dirt and dust effects were applied using Abteilung 502 oil paints.
After the oil paint was dry, a flat coat using Mr. Color GX 114 was applied.
Engine oil and fuel stains were applied using enamel grease and grime effects.
Mud effects were then applied on the lower hull and wheels using enamel washes and pigments to build up the desired effect. I’m happy with the wheels as well as the lower front and rear hull sections.
Here was my process for painting and weathering the tracks. I didn’t want to use a lot of enamels since they’re relatively delicate.
- Gray Primer
- Tamiya XF-24 dark gray
- Vallejo model wash black
- Dusting layer of Tamiya XF-57 light and random sections
5.Vallejo model wash brown - Speckling using splash effect
- Thinned XF-85 rubber black lines where tires ride on tracks
- Drybrushed metal sections – guide horns, edges, ground contact surfaces
- Integrate with wheels and hull
My installation sequence for the running gear started with the wheels. The tracks were then fed through the sprocket wheels and the end links snapped together easily. Finally, the side skirts were mounted to their brackets, which were tightened firmly to hold the skirt sections in place. The lower sections of the skirts needed some additional dust weathering with oils after installation to be consistent with the rest of the tank.
Finally, the antenna and fender poles were installed, followed by some graphite pencil application on key metallic surfaces.
The two crew figures were painted with Vallejo acrylics.
My final thoughts are that it was a good fit and straightforward build. However, it took quite a bit of extra spend and work to get the details to where I was satisfied. I’m happy with how it finally turned out.
I will most likely turn to Dragon, Cyber Hobby, Miniart, Rye Field, and Takom for future armor builds.
Thanks for looking.
