Here's an update on progress that I've made with with the DML late Panther A Premium kit. Panther 211 from the 26.Pz.Div in Italy is depicted in the instructions in dunkelgelb and it looks like some faint brown camo stripes. I decied to go just with dunkelgelb, using Tamiya Dark Yellow (XF-60) over a base coat of Tamiya Flat Earth (XF-52). Highlights were added on the larger panels by a spray of XF-60 lightened with a little flat white, then again after lightening a bit more with another dab of white. Decaling was done by the Doog method, applying the decals on the flat painted surface rather than prepping with future. A healthy dose of solvaset settled them nicely into the zim pattern.
Here's lookin' at you..
An umber oil wash was used to highlight detail and weathering was done with oils, pigments and a light overspray of diluted Tamiya Buff, although maybe not in that order; I just do what seems to be needed at the time.
An interesting field modification that was made to some Italian Panthers was the addition of tool boxes over the rear engine vents. I found a resin set from Mig productions that seemed to fit well.
The kits has gone together pretty well; the only issues are the lack of tow cables and the warped top hull plate that made mating top and bottom hulls a bit of a challenge. The metal barrel also adds weight which can unbalance the turret slightly (have a look back at the first photo to see how it's leaning forward). A fishing sinker glued in the rear of the turret should fix that.
The road wheels and lower hull were dirtied by a mixture of Tamiya flat base, Elmers wood glue and finely ground real dirt. This dries a light tan/brown in color which looks like dried mud. A similar mixture with a little raw umber acrylic added to add some darker dirt chunks. Then raw umber was dry brushed to blend the two.
A few additional shots..
Comments, criticisms and suggestions are welcomed. Next up; painting the early Panther G.
Don