Steve Whitmer
Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
Starting with Lindberg’s 1/35 scale T-55, Steve built his interpretation of the “Indien Panzer,” designed in the early 1950s by German armorers for India. Though the initial design was never produced, it is said to be a forerunner of the Swiss Pz 58 and Pz 60. It also has percolated into the online game realm of World of Tanks. Steve installed M48/M60-style road wheels; the travel lock also comes from an old M60 kit. He shaped stowage boxes, mufflers, the loader’s hatch, and front and rear decks with styrene stock. The fan tower on the back deck is from an old Tiger II kit, as are the commander’s hatch and the 8.8cm gun and mantlet. Retired from the U.S. Army, Steve served in the armored cavalry and loves tanks, “especially unusual subjects,” he says. “I like the challenges of kitbashing and scratchbuilding a subject no one has in a manufactured model kit. I enjoy doing the research on the subject and hand-fashioning my own parts. When I am through I know I have something unique and mine.”