Dragon Panther G Early - Pz. Rgt. 26, Italy 1944 - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

ridleusmc

Member since
July 2003
From: Cincinnati, Ohio

Posted by ridleusmc on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 4:01 AM

Thank you all for the very kind words. I'm glad you like the camo. I may have over-thinned the brown paint at first, and I had to smooth it out or cover it with green. After the camo, I had my doubts about its look, and I considered a repaint. Glad it turned out looking right to you gentlemen. I know you guys know your German armor. Semper Fi, Chris

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stikpusher

Member since
July 2004
From: Sonora Desert

Posted by stikpusher on Monday, March 28, 2016 1:35 PM

Ditto yes, just one more to add to the chorus here. Very nice work Yes

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

- Plankton

LSM

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hogfanfs

Member since
May 2013
From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho

Posted by hogfanfs on Monday, March 28, 2016 12:26 PM

This Panther turned out very well! I really like the camo pattern. Great job!

Bruce

On the bench: 1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

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Gamera

Member since
November 2009
From: SW Virginia

Posted by Gamera on Monday, March 28, 2016 11:26 AM

Sharp work! I love the camo pattern, came out perfect!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

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waynec

Member since
April 2006
From: Denver, Colorado

Posted by waynec on Sunday, March 27, 2016 8:51 PM

very nice.

the DOOG has a tutorial on how he does indy track. i do modern wheels mostly but have done some indy track. i usually check the tightness of 2 links off the sprue. if they are tight good, if not i prome them and try again. if that seems tight i prime the links before building the track. i also cheat and tanks with side skirts. Big Smile

Никто не Забыт (No one is Forgotten)
Ничто не Забыто (Nothing is Forgotten)

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Bish

Member since
December 2002
From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England

Posted by Bish on Sunday, March 27, 2016 5:00 PM

Thats a nice looking Panther. I do like the new Dragon panther kits, i have done a couple and they were lovely to build and really well detailed. You have done a good job on this one.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

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ridleusmc

Member since
July 2003
From: Cincinnati, Ohio

Posted by ridleusmc on Sunday, March 27, 2016 4:41 PM

Thank you, The track sag is a nice effect of Dragon's Magic Tracks. They were a bit of a pain, because they kept detaching. I didn't want to apply glue until everything was in place. They turned out looking right, so I'm happy with them in the end. The placement of the turret numbers seemed odd to me too. However, I couldn't find a reference online to refute or affirm the placement, so I went with the kit instructions. Dragon's Smart Kits really have some nice touches. Semper Fi, Chris

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TigerII

Member since
June 2004
From: East Stroudsburg, PA

Posted by TigerII on Sunday, March 27, 2016 1:16 AM

Nice job. I like the camo and the sag on the tracks. I was surprised by the turret numbers on the back. I've never seen them there. A very nice build. Semper Fi.

Achtung Panzer! Colonel General Heinz Guderian

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ridleusmc

Member since
July 2003
From: Cincinnati, Ohio

Posted by ridleusmc on Saturday, March 26, 2016 10:58 PM

Thank each of you for your kind words.

Honestly, my research was simply looking at online pics. I relied on Dragon's research team for the most part, and I followed the painting guide supplied with the kit. Their guide doesn't specify particular vehicles. It simply gives an example of a scheme used by Panzer Regiment 26. This particular regiment applied stand-off armor to the turret roofs of its Panthers.

Next up is a Dragon M4A1 76mm(W).

Thank you,

Christopher

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:08 PM

First off, thank you for your service. Secondly, well done on your Panther. Your camo turned out nicely. I guess I wasn't aware that the Germans used three-toned camo in Italy, but suppose they did and I'm sure you researched it. I learned something new today.

Eric

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Marcus McBean

Member since
September 2013
From: San Antonio, Texas

Posted by Marcus McBean on Saturday, March 26, 2016 9:36 AM

Very nice work. Really like the camo.

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Tojo72

Member since
March 2003
From: Western North Carolina

Posted by Tojo72 on Saturday, March 26, 2016 7:40 AM

Nice work for sure,Dragon Panthers build up nicely.

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Modelrob

Member since
October 2015

Posted by Modelrob on Saturday, March 26, 2016 6:09 AM

Looks like a great start back into the hobby. The paint job looks nice and I can't wait to see some more work from you.

Robert

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ridleusmc

Member since
July 2003
From: Cincinnati, Ohio

Dragon Panther G Early - Pz. Rgt. 26, Italy 1944

Posted by ridleusmc on Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:57 AM

Hello everyone,

It's been many years since I posted here. I took a few years away from the hobby to finish school. I had started this kit sometime in 2008. I had assembled the upper and lower hulls before I packed it up. I dug it out in January, and finished it up. I had to relearn some techniques, and I felt the need to learn others. I think my painting and weathering turned out OK. I think there's room for improvement, but it's time to call this project done.

The Dragon kit was very nice. It was very well detailed. The only trouble I had were the "Magic Tracks." They link together nicely, but they don't stay together. I built it OOTB. I didn't really add anything. It's painted to the kit reference, and the decals aren't meant to depict any specific vehicle.

Constructive criticism is welcome.

-Chris