fwiw, I painted the road wheels & periscopes for the Panther.  I hope to get the periscopes installed, the hull buttoned up, road wheels installed (less the main sprocket and last road wheel to ease in the installation of the tracks) and touch-up painting done this weekend.

Progress has definitely slowed down. I'm no better. I did absolutely nothing last week. 

Excellent Wolfwraith. I'd love to see this beast being built.

Tigerman, I have a 1/16 Trumpeter Tiger II that I was given early last year that I would like to enter into your Group Build if you will take group build virgin. The kit is slightly started but since I didn't like to results I got from a spray can its sat doing nothing (I've done some ribs/bracing on the floor with a coat of paint), so I guess with part count on this kit  I guess it easily rates under your 10% limit.

rgr.

Do get your hands on some PE grills, that alone will make a big difference.

Sorry I am an OTB kind of guy.  It will more then likely be in a single vehicle and one AT gun dio, still trying to see how it will be,  working title will be Here Kitty Kitty!

Shawker, are you going to do anything to bring that kit up to modern times? Say, some PE grills or AM tracks?

Hello Shawker and welcome!

Yes please, As my first GB I think it only fitting to be on my favorite subject.  I love the big Cats.  Just don't tell my Shepard Sarge :)

Shawker, that would work fine. Would you like to join with that  kit?

Ah ha had to really dig into my stash to find this one.  Talk about dust.  I have a Tiger II Porsche Turret 1/35 minicraft  kit 1305

No problem I just don't build my cats unless I have a set out plan for a dio etc...  

Shawker, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but this GB is open only to Tigers and Panthers. Sorry my friend.

So can a newb get into the build?  I have a Flakpanzer IV that i have wanted to build but have not thought about the Dio it would go in as it is was used more for anti infantry and tank killers then aircraft

It would be the D9109 Smart kit..

Thank you Greg-and I am getting ready to break out the clear blue for the periscopes so I'll take care of the convoy light at the same time.

bobbaily

Question for the group-there is what appears to be a 'formation' light on the back of the Panther G Late-what color should it be?  For some reason, I seem to remember seeing somewhere that it is blue. 

Bob: your memory is not failing you...the tubular convoy light was a dark clear blue.

tigerman

bobbaily

Eric-I'd almost like to agree with you but I still have road wheels, tools & periscopes to paint, assembly of some minor items, paint touch-up...then come the Magic Tracks....I'm glad you extended the deadline!

Me too!. I still want to make a run on my Tiger tank, but i'm probably dreaming. I'm hoping to have the Jagdpanther finished by the end of the month.

Yeah...I had given thought of maybe working on my KT after the Panther is finished, but even with the extension, I still wouldn't have time, given my current rate of progress...did get some green on the periscopes-blue to follow then finish them tomorrow...and maybe road wheels too...

Question for the group-there is what appears to be a 'formation' light on the back of the Panther G Late-what color should it be?  For some reason, I seem to remember seeing somewhere that it is blue.  Any help will be appreciate .

Thanks

bobbaily

Eric-I'd almost like to agree with you but I still have road wheels, tools & periscopes to paint, assembly of some minor items, paint touch-up...then come the Magic Tracks....I'm glad you extended the deadline!

Thanks Jack-choosing a camo scheme was difficult-there are so many variations that would be nice to have on the shelf....bottom line is that I need to add some more Panther's to my stash....

Eric-I'd almost like to agree with you but I still have road wheels, tools & periscopes to paint, assembly of some minor items, paint touch-up...then come the Magic Tracks....I'm glad you extended the deadline!

Malone - with your latest update, just dawned in me that it's the artificial light creating the strong yellow tones.  After viewing one of your photos adjusted in a paint program, I can see your Panther is looking mighty fine. 

Dave - admiring  the work you are putting into the Panther, that last photo is particularly great, even the composition by way of cropping looks right on.

Dan - another fantastic set of progress pics on the PE.   You were smart to put the cables in place before painting - (I've already broke 3 of the 4 main clamps from doing the opposite).  I've got the same Bison set of decals, though my kit is 1/48.  It's a great base of reference, and I think the only scheme they haven't addressed were the Tigers of 2nd company/501 when they were sent to Vichy during the Torch landings.  Apparently they were some sort of green and might of retained that scheme (intially) when they finally arrived in Tunisia.

Marc - don't know how you do it, but as stated, another super awesome job.  Looking forward to the figures you have planned.

Bob - another Panther coming up the alley, looking good.  Also nice to see a variation in the colour scheme.

About the periscopes, from what little research I did (I'll have to scratch build mine if I want to fill the empty holes in hull hatch covers) the glass is clear, and am assuming the same for copula.  It's the thickness of the glass that gives it a slight green tint - unlike today's modern armour which may be purposely tinted?   I find missinglynx always has some answers on specific questions such as this.  Here's one of the threads to supplement the advice Dave has shared with us.

-------------------------------------------

Myself, finally got my decals printed.  The laser printer at work didn't have the answer as the paper was designed only for inkjet use.  Luckily back at home I found, stuffed in between some books, an un-opened package of Micro-Mark decal paper.  The cheap inks did their job this time.  So I don't know if the original Papilio brand of decal paper is just too touchy when it comes to printer inks, or it has reached it's shelf life after 7 years.

regards,

Jack

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You're moving along now Bob. Once that camo gets laid down, then the weathering is a breeze. Not in my case, but I imagine in others. LOL

Dave: Those periscopes look great! I'm going to have to swipe your technique to use myself.

Bob: Lol, used to love Legos myself, may have to try to find mine.

Gamera-thanks...and since our son went off to college, I have full access to his tub of Legos 

Dave-and thank you also.  I decided on 121...I found one B&W photo and it appears that the camo was not hard edged.  And many thanks for the periscope painting tips-will hopefully be working on mine this weekend.

Armor86 - Looks sweet! We want paint! We want paint! Enough teasin' already... 

Marc - As Bolt's hamster companion would often say... "(s)he's f-u-l-l-y awwwsooome!" Will comment some more after I've given it a proper look. But from where I'm sittin', crack open the MM. Oh, you already have... 

Bob - I like it.  Did you decide to go with 121 or similar? As for the periscope painting, I just paint a layer of Tamiya clear blue (let dry) then a layer of Tamiya clear green. I just make sure the base color is light. Gray seems to work fine. I then mask them off with a little strip of tape cut to shape with ye 'ole Exacto. I peel that off with tweezers pretty much last thing after I'm all finished. Here's how the peri's wound up on my last Panther. (I'm sure one method of many) 

Nice camo Bob- and I love the Lego paint rack!

Marc-can't really add any more to what's been said-that is one outstanding KT-I love the weathering.  Very nice job.

I was able to start on the camo scheme over the weekend-I need to go over a few areas with some Olivegruen, but overall, I'm hoping that it comes together after some washes & dot filtering....if not, I can always start over....wouldn't be the first time.....

Dan: I do like the look of all those shiny brass goodies!

Marc: Love her!!! Looking forward to seeing her 'done' done!

Marc, it's stunning as I've become to expect. From the work on the tools to the weathering, you've hit another home-run. Thanks for being a part of the GB, it's been great having your participation.