Screens on tanks

Historyfan, nice to have you aboard. Yes, many of the German tanks, especially Pz III's, StuGs and Panthers and Tigers had them.

Many of the latest Dragon and other companies have been releasing newer kits with screens, which suggests that you have some pretty old kits.

I've seen guys make them out of bug-screens and other materials, but I've always bought PE screens from say Eduard or someone else.

Welcome aboard, ye, Eric is right, they were very common on many of the later tanks. I am the same in that i always use PE screens. These either come with the kit or a larger PE set. But for many German vehciles you can just buy the screen if you don't want the full lot.

Which vehicle are you building.

Thanks guys, for the infor and warm welcome. I don't venture out into forums much. I am usually the lone guy in the basement, glueing plastic together.

I just built the Tamiya 1/48 hetzer. I will try to post a photo.

I am going to try the 1/48 Jagdpanther.

I really didn't think I was an armour fan until I started building. Now I browse the various shop 1/35 armour offerings. It's really starting to interest me, especially the camouflage and weather potential within a small diorama.

There are some pretty sophisticated kits (plastic and PE etc) but I think I will start slow. The idea of glueing myself to a tiny metal, folded bit is a bit daunting just yet. However some of that Dragon stuff looks very nice.

Looking forward to more building.

I just did a quick serch and couldn't find anything for the jagdpanther in 48th, there are a few bits for the Hetzer. Most PE sets seem to be in 1/35th, which is the most popular scale for armour

Welcome to the Dark Side

Hey Historyfan,

If your interested there are several alternatives to PE that I have used. One is wedding veil, it's available in different sizes to accommodate different scales  and applications. Another is the upholstery  material secured to the bottom of upholstered furniture. It can be found in different sheerness  and tends to have perpipenducular weave. Not all are the same so you might have to shop / search for the right one for your application.  Your local fabric store should have a good selection. The best I saved for last and I have yet to discover if anyone else has caught on to this hidden treasure, automotive automatic transmission filters.  When I worked as an auto tech. I cracked open the discarded tranny filters for the micro filter mesh screens inside. Depending on the manufacture they could be brass, steel  and nylon. On some occasions felt was used,  which would be conveniently discarded . I realize the trans. option may not be feasible , but if you have the opportunity it's a nice option.

Good luck..

Thanks. I really like the idea of recycling something I may have around the house. It appeals to my inner cheap.

I must say though, some of the PE sets are absolutely amazing for the detail they add.

I'm for spotting appropriate materials too.  But if it costs me $4 for  a correctly sized piece of PE, it's money well spent.  My modeling time is valuable.  Cheap often isn't cheap if you think about it.

Bish

I just did a quick serch and couldn't find anything for the jagdpanther in 48th, there are a few bits for the Hetzer. Most PE sets seem to be in 1/35th, which is the most popular scale for armour

Welcome to the Dark Side

Here's a set of 1/48 Panther/Jagdpanther grills for $7 CDN

Historyfan

Thanks. I really like the idea of recycling something I may have around the house. It appeals to my inner cheap.

I must say though, some of the PE sets are absolutely amazing for the detail they add.

And remember, you can apply a lot of PE with clear paint, so you won't glue a bit of metal to your person, just stick it to a paintbrush. 

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas