Hi doods!
While I'm laboring away on the Stuka over in Aircraft, I've learned that I have some time while I wait for drying of paint, so I've decided to tackle a little "nostalgic" project with a twist here--the 1/76 Matchbox Jagdpanther kit, but substituting a better-built Jagdpanther model for the pretty basic Matchbox kit.
Who hasn't built at least one of these kits? Well, maybe not the younger members among us, but I remember that these were among the first kits that I started building. The LHS at the time had a huge inventory of them, at like $5.99 a pop, and I would go in a literally walk out with 4-5 of them. I loved the little dio bases, and my favorite one was the Jagdpanther dio base.
I have been trying to score one of these off eBay for a while; finally I have one, and I'm going to use the Revell kit, with upgraded parts stolen from the Dragon late Jagdp. model, which is unusable because of the damned metal body, which I've heard are prone to spontaneous disintegration when subjectd to paint (?!). No need to even take the chance!
Here's what I have:
Remember the kit now?
Here's the Revell--"HURRAH!" for indy-link tracks! You can build this as early or late, but it's not an accurate engine deck for early--the rearmost engine screens on early models were larger than the ones closer to the hull, so this hull is definitely a later model. You'll also notice the ExtraTech PE kit for the command version of the JP--boy, was this a disappointment--no PE screens, and a real paucity of parts. Welll, at least it was only about $6.00 or so. I guess I just expected more from it. There's a star antenna, and some periscope guards.
...and the Dragon kit with that stupid metal hull..
Starting out, I filled in all the attachment holes on the side of the hull, as I intend to show a late model JP with the recommended modifications which included moving all the hull tools off of the sides and on to the rear, as well as the cleaning rods tube. I also cut off the periscope guards, cut out and used the scissors scope and hatch from Dragon parts, and used the better-detailed DR. gun.I cut the hatches opened to put in some great Preisser 1/72 figures, and shaved down the fe ndersfrom underneath.
So it's a bit slow going, but that's where I am now. I want to get back to my bench, but gotta work on taxes tonight--BOOOOO!
Comments welcomed, of course!