First a refresher on the kit: Tamiya A, scratcbuilt turret, Aber PE, Fruil tracks, pastel weathering (some), and (thanks to Kenneth) Dragon wheels & drive sprockets. The right fender and stowage box were painstakingly fashioned with aluminum foil and then whacked with a hobby knife handle.
It will end up in a dio depicting a vehicle of the 116th SS Pz. Div. After being rushe to Normandy and then falling back all the way to Aechen, with a stop in the Falise pocket, this vehicle made it back to Dusseldorf, Germany where the 116 is refitting. The vehicle is battered (three hits from AT weapons) but the crew is proud and their Panther serviceable. They have scrounged spare links from a knocked out vehicle and a new road wheel from ??? (You know how creative soldiers can be!)
Final weathering will be done when the base is ready.
The side, top and front plate are from sheet styrene. The mantlet and mount are kit parts narrowed 6mm the rear plate is the kit part modified to fit the altered height, width and angles of the turret. The cupola and details are kit parts although I should have replaced the squared lift rings with correct rounded ones.
Looks like all your effort paid off. I Like the fender-whack. Looks realistic.
All you need is a number of jerry cans of fuel and off to Normandie. Good job!
