An older build that finally made it out to the airport. This is the 1/48 Panther, painted with MM gloss dark blue. I would’ve liked to take more pics but I was afraid the gusty wind might take her airborne any minute. This kit has a lot of nice detail, especially the cockpit, but my pic of that is pretty blurry. The framing on the windscreen was way too big so I sanded it all off and masked it with tape to get the more correct size frame. Here she is:
Thanks for taking a look at her!
Gary
Looks real good Gary! It’s too bad your camera focused more on the background in a couple shots than on your build. Especilly in the cockpit! That is a very sweet little kit to build!
Nice Panther, Gary. I’ll have to make the same change to the canopy frame if I build one of these, looks just right.
Very nice build, and a great job on that windscreen. My dad serviced USMC Panther jets , so that bird has always had special meaning to me. Thanks for posting it! [Y]
Stik: Thanks a lot! Yeah, those blurred pics suck. And to make it worse, the cockpit turned out real good in that bird, one of my best ones I think. Usually, I shoot a whole bunch of pictures and cull out those kind, lol. That was an abbreviated session though, and I couldn’t see well enough through the viewing window to catch those few. I suspect she’ll make another trip out there for a few better pics someday.
John: Thank you too sir! I believe I read about the canopy frame issue in FSM years ago. I was really hesitant to sand them off but I jumped in and gave it a try. Believe me, I was worried that it would never look right again. But my ol’ dad used to say, “Even a blind hog finds an acorn now and then.” Whew, a lot of polishing saved the day!
Mike: Thanks, I appreciate your kind words! That’s very neat about your dad. I bet he had a few stories about his time with the Panther. That’s always a cool connection to our model building.
Gary
Very nice build! I have one in my stash and hope it comes out as well as yours did.[Y]
Nice job, and nice move shooting her at the local airpatch… I’m gonna start doing that… I got a buddy that owns a T-6, PT-17, and one of the Red Baron Pizza Super Stearmans (Lemme know if any of you need detail pics), so I can justify being out there… I go out a couple times a week, mostly just to do same “Hangar Flying”, but occasionally, there’s an empty seat in the Stearman…
Great job there Gary but to be honest I just love the Grumman Panther period!
Congrads on doing her justice. BTW that corkscrew decal on the nose looks like murder to get right- I’m assuming you didn’t paint it on or I’m even more awestruck.
Ooooooo…now THAT is a nice build! Congrats on such a beautiful Panther!
Eric
As usual you’ve presented another beautiful build that is just as beautifully photographed.
Wow, what nice replies! I really appreciate them a lot.
Buckeye: Thanks a million! I bet your version will look great!
Hans: Thanks dude! I’m lucky to live about 4 minutes from our little local airport. It seems I can come and go as I please out there. So far Homeland Security hasn’t bothered me[;)], I even met the city manager out there last year and showed him a few pics. I do think the models look better in a natural surrounding and there’s no doubt that I get better pics with natural light. I want to get out there early some Saturday and get some pics with a glorious sunrise in the background. The only hassle is loading everything up and hoping that it isn’t too windy to put the planes out.
Gamera: I really appreciate your comments; thanks a lot! The corkscrew is a decal and even then it isn’t straight…oh well, lol. Painting that? Haha, that would sure challenge my masking skills, not to mention my patience!
Eric: Thanks man! Your Scorpion is an awesome model plane. I have it in the stash and I hope mine will look half as good as yours. Your compliments mean a lot to me too!
Jimmy: Man, coming from you that means a lot! I’m glad you like her. Thanks professor!
Gary
Very nice—that kit is pretty ancient isn’t it?
Thanks Manny! The kit instructions are dated 1990. I dunno if it predates that or not. The 1990 kit might’ve been a reissue. Maybe someone will clue us in…
Gary
Gary,
Very nice build of my favorite jet of all time (ever watch (The Bridges of Toko Ri)! Gottta build one some day. Thanks for posting.
Thanks so much Bick! Oh yeah, I’ve seen that flick several times, William Holden’s stars in it right? I’m glad you liked this one.
Gary
This is a beatuy! I’m more of propelled planes, not much of jet ones… but the Panther is one of those few jet planes that I really love! I was planing to get one Monogram Panther. You did a great great job here! How it is the fit in this kit? Did you have any more issues besides the one you metion in the cockpit?
Thank you Von Alfalfa! Much obliged for your kind comments. It’s been a long time since the kit was built, but I don’t recall any particular fit issues. I approached the canopy frame issue with great trepidation, but it turned out okay. As I said earlier, the cockpit has some nice detail and features, but one does find that in many Monogram kits of this vintage. I have added a few better pics of the cockpit. I am going to replace the cannon barrels with hypodermic tubing as one of the kit barrels has fallen back into the fuselage.[:O] The metal parts will look better anyway. I hope you go ahead with your plans to build one of these Panthers. You are a great model builder and I’ll look forward to seeing yours! Thanks again, Gary.
Nice panther! Great job on the paint…it looks pretty much flawless!
Thanks so much! The paint looks pretty good for a “four footer” I guess. She’s a particular favorite of mine. I appreciate the compliments a lot!
Gary
Nice job on the Panther, I’m going to have to get my hands on one these.