Takom Panther

Ok yeah thanks

Friul tracks are always a nice replacement and much easier to deal with.

Never be tempted to rush these kind of kits as they are expensive and have loads of parts in them.

You will spend more time in the paint booth. putting it together is the least worry and you should spend lots of time with the kit and instructions getting yourself familiar with the parts and the build. Always have a good idea on how you want the finished kit to look before you start.

I'll be adding the Takom Panthers to my stash over the next few months.

I don't know which one you have so at the moment it is not easy to tell you what I wold use, but here's Meng's Panther A - It doesn't have an interior, but you can follow my Meng Tiger II build which will give you a very good idea about the interior of German Panzers

I use Vallejo model air as they are one of the few companies that don't subscribe to the scale correct colour thinking so their colours are absolutly original Chip correct.

As an instance, here is an original colour made for me by an actual OEM Wehmacht supplier who is still supplying the German forces and was remade from their archive for my real full size tanks and is the shade for a late Panther A base coat. On the right is the supposed AK "Real Colour"

There is a huge descrepancy between 3 of the 4 shades of RAL 7028 which were used and the Dunkelgelb Nach Muster is close. That colour was only used from February 1943 until the end of OPeration Citadel in August that year and then it changed.

Interior colours also changed... but that's a different story.

First things first. look at how the kit is designed and then work out how you want to dispplay the finished thing. Work backwards from that brfore you start. Have a build plan in mind all the time.

Also google Panzer V Panther in interiors and exteriors. Don't go by colours or try and match colours to black and white photographs. Just look at the detail on the vehicle and where the colours change. These things were constantly being upgraded and so things would be different from tank to tank

James

Thanks a lot for the help I will definitely look at getting Vallejo air for it. Your panther looks awesome btw. I am getting the Panther A late production 

Panther A late interior Colours:

RAL 8012

RAL1001 End of production run 9001

RAL7016

RAL7009 (71.020 - check that it says RAL 7009 on the label).

The germans didn't use brass cases for their ammunition, but steel ones. These were parkerised and painted.

James

Thanks a lot for your help.What about red oxide? .I am going to get the bronco workable tracks 

I would actually go with the Friul metal panther late tracks. They are very easy to put together and take less time than plastic ones and because they have weight when done sag and form realistically.

I usually give my Friul panzer tracks an all over coat of AK Xtreme Metal smoke directly on to the metal with no primer. They look good.

I will be using them on my Tiger II so watch out for a masterclass 

I'll put up the model air numbers for the colours when I am on my PC.

I have just received Rye Field Models' limited edition Panther G and it is a cracker of a kit. In some way my brain is already working on how the finished thing will look.

There's also going to be Panther D kits too and I hope, but no announcement, Jagdpanther.

2018 - The year of the Panther!

Yes year of the Panther all right! I think Vallejo has all the interior colours. Here in Australia fruil tracks are expensive to get though.

There are always Spade Ace. Maybe they are more accessable

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spade-Ace-1-35-SAT-35006-Metal-Track-Panther-Late-Type-/170785463269?hash=item27c39b5be5

I haven't any experience with them, but they have some good reviews.

Here's the paint codes

RAL 8012  71.271

RAL 1001  71.075

RAL 9001  71.270

RAL 7016  71.115

RAL 7009  71.020

RAL 7009 was used on MG ammunition boxes,first aid boxes and gurtsacks. RAL 7028 was also used on ammo boxes, but not gurtsacks. the top of gurtsacks was a metal black colour (71.073)

You would also find some front drives and gearboxes in this colour too.

RAL 7016 - junction boxes for electrics etc, turret motors and Maybach engines. Front drive and gearbox also in this colour.

Front drive and gearbox was also found in RAL 8012 as well. If you are recreating a specific vehicle then you need to check your sources.

Panther A late interior upper colour started with RAL 1001 but changed to RAL 9001 with 9002 (71.119) being used as a substitute when supply was interrupted.

This should get you going

James

Thx for the codes. It would be good to get metal tracks maybe it is worth it.

Cheers

I'll do some close ups of the Panther tracks for you. They are the Friul Panther late tracks.

You only use the early tracks on the Panther D which I think Takom will be putting out.

For me metal tracks are much easier to deal with than the plastic kit tracks for most vehicles and because they have a natural weight to them they sit right on the road wheels and return rollers with natural sag and when painted and finished look just like the real thing.

I will be using Friuls Tiger II tracks (ATL-16) on my current build and I will post a detailed bit on putting them together and how I paint them.

Spade ace might be more accessable to you at your side of the world and although add extra money to the build the look is worth it

James

Hello!

What are the major distributors for Friul Metal Tracks?

Thanks!

Bill Morrison

Thanks! I;ll check them out.

Bill