this is my tamiya panther a. it is the old kit.it is painted by hand and after some touch ups i might put it in a contest. please comment. acrylic wash too
Hi jadgpanther302,
Well, please bear in mind this is constructive criticism.
I see several things, that in my opinion, will help improve your next model or may be used to rework this one.
Brush painting is fine, but you have some areas that are well covered and others that lack paint altogether (note gun cleaning rod tube) in the first photo. Also, the roadwheels. Are they painted? If not, paint them. Unpainted plastic takes away from the finish of any model. I’m not sure if you thinned your paint or not, but the paint needs to have a nice smooth consistent texture. If need be, apply in thin coats and add additional coats as needed. Let the coats dry thouroghly between coats.
The tracks on the left side are crooked. If they are not painted, paint them.
The wash is generally done to the entire vehicle. If you choose not to do this, then do all of the areas around hatches, hinges, fans, bolts, etc…
It appears you have attempted zimmerit. You need some good reference photos to see where it was applied. There are many areas that need it. It also is too heavy and again you need reference photos to see how the real zimmerit was applied. There was a certain method in applying the zimmerit which gives a distinct look.
Take care with your detail painting. Your tires on the roadwheels need to be neater.
You can take some steps to improve this kit. Just take you time.
Again, this isn’t meant to trash your build. You have a solid looking build, just work on improving the other aspects of the hobby.
Joe [:D][:D]
thank you panther 44. i new what zimmerit looks like . i did not realize bondo set so fast. went out came back and it had set before i could do the verticle lines.[
] it does need touch ups. that i agree with. a road wheel went MIA so it was empty area right there.
Hey jadgpanther302,
Don’t give up on it. Try some Oven-Off oven cleaner and remove the paint. Be careful as this stuff is toxic. Wear gloves and use in a well ventilated area. It should only take about ten or fifteen minutes for the paint to soften up and be scrubbed off.
Sand off the Bondo and start new. Don’t give up on it. Use this as an oppurtunity to learn how to "undo’ some things you may not be pleased with.
I know it is extra work, but you may be surprised at what you can accomplish with some extra effort.
Give it a good working over and bring it back with new pictures. Remain patient and if you find yourself becoming frustrated or discouraged, walk away from it for minutes, hours or even days, if that’s what it takes to approach it with renewed enthusiasm.
Wishing you the best [tup][tup].
Joe [:D][:D]
Now thats the sort of Comments/critisisms i like to read on a forum. Nicely done Joe and good luck Jagd.
…Guy
J-302, I would not try to alter this kit as is; put it aside as an example of things to improve on the next model. There’s just too much work to be done to it to bring it up to contest specs.
That said, I’d suggest picking up Sheperd Paine’s “Modeling Tanks and Military Vehicles”, or the like. There are many good “how to” modeling books out there now. Lay off the zimmerit attempts for now until you get your painting and weathering skills in shape, or try an aftermarket pre-made zimmerit add-on part. (Or wait long enough and most of them might be released WITH zimmerit!)
Your efforts are commendable and ambitious, but go one step at a time: Building, Painting, Weathering, Extra Detailing and Zimmerit–you’ll see a gradual and satisfying progression of your skills instead of trying to do it all at once.
Take some time and read a little more about basic/advanced skills, then try another model and apply what you’ve learned. And keep us updated with some in-progress photos so we can steer you in the right direction! [:D]
BTW…RAP $U&*%@#s!!! [XX]!!!
mike ashey also has a good book MODELING REALISTIC TANKS AND ARTILLERY from fine scale modeler. i agree with the comments about starting a new model, maybe another version of a panther. just by reading a couple of books on techniques, patience and experience with your first model, your second model will be much better. also ask tons of questions here. everyone likes to help and share and we all have been where you are in modeling at some point.
i have an old (25 years) panther and tiger i will use to practice zimmerit, battle damage, and air brushing.
Amen.
Also, in addition to Shep’s book, Tony Greenlands “Panzer Modelling Masterclass” is an informative book for the German armor enthusiast with great ideas and camo schemes. Highly recommended. Good luck on the next. .
thank you all for the wonderfull information. i will probably pick up paines book because i have seen alot of good work from him. thank you all.
As the father of this young modeler, I’d like to say thank you for your help and instruction. He’s learned quite a bit from this forum and has improved so much - he’s got so many ideas and is not afraid to try anything. But, as with any young kid, patience and deferred enjoyment is as difficult to master as the techniques.
…now if I can only turn it into a high paying career!
jadgpather302’s pop
i think i can answer for all of us when i say
you are welcome.
Hey don’t mention it Dad! We’re all happy to help your boy! [:D]
You know, it’s really outstanding to see a post from J-302’s “Pop”; great to see you so involved that you would actually take the time to appreciate his love for this hobby! That’s so important , and so seemingly rare these days! You guys must have an enviable relationship! Congratulatons!
I can remember my Dad building Indy cars–I used to sit next to his desk and watch him build the car so slowly taking place…I learned so much about patience and results from care and attention to detail. Great life lessons, you know?
I think it’s great that you chimed in here–and I know your boy s gonna be turning out contest winners in no time at all! CHEERS! [#toast][yeah]
Practice practice practice, you are obviously not afraid to try something new and outside of your comfort zone. Good for you! Keep at it, buy more kits, though don’t get as bad as some of us who have MANY more than we could ever build,[:-^] and gather reference material.
Pop, keep up the good work, my dad got me involved in the hobby and I got my kids interested. It got to a point the local modeling club only wanted to see my 13 year old daughter’s latest build. I was tolerated as I was the chauffer!
I couldn’t have been prouder.
Wayner
Hey, isn’t that a modellers mission? To buy as many kits as possible!!!..[(-D]
Jadgpanther302, keep it up matey. I remeber my first kits. They didn’t even have paint on them, and glue…i had tube glue everywhwere!! You have been offered two suggestions on this thread. Spend some time and correct this one or put this one aside and use it as a ‘this is what i used to be like’ build. I wish i still had some of my first kits for this very reason. I am not saying that your Panther is no good (its 10 times better than i could do back then!), it might work as a reminder of how good you are getting with each future build. Which ever way you decide to proceed make sure you are doing what YOU are happy with, and have lots of enjoyment doing it. Research your projects too, even if it is not extensive research and you will be getting a great education also. Between some good ‘how to’ model books and the wonderful people on these forums you are off to a great head start.
Mr. Jadgpanther (Dad), i think you need to buy Young Jadgpanther a new Panther tank. Then of course you will need to buy him a Tiger and a Panzer III to compliment them. Then you need a Sherman, M3 and maybe a Churchill to show the tanks they fought against…and so the cycle starts…[:-^]…
Happy modelling Jadgpanther302…and Dad!!
Boomer…
thank you all for these comments. got home from school and had a laugh about all thesepost . especially what my dad did.[(-D]
i like the idea of holding on to your first models with flaws. i held onto a few of my first tanks, and sometimes i still look at them and i’m in shock as how far i have come, and how much i have learned. i out them right next to the others, and yoiu can truly see the difference. use it to motivate you to always do better and to learn from yoru mistakes. but you could do what ever you want, this model still can breath life. just a little elbow grease, love, and patience. i some times talk to my tanks when i’m working on them, they like it [(-D]
dad, keep up the good work in keeping your son into a hobby. i have been away from my family for about 9 years now, and upon my last visit down home, i went to a local store and made the comment that i always wanted to buy that kit (the M-26 Dragon Wagon), but couldn’t afford it at the time, so i got the sherman instead. while in line, i noticed my dad in the back of the line with the M-26 in his hands. it meant alot to me. kudos to you.