Italeri Group Build Sept. 1, 2006-Jan. 15 2007

Disaster!!!!!     Back in October, I was in the field with my unit, when I tried to get a jammed Jerry Can opened. I felt a sharp pain in my right hand.  3 Weeks ago, I found out that I dislocated the knuckle joint in my little finger and that I now suffer from Capsolitus (not sure of spelling)  My joint is moving to far ahead when my hand close, causing pain.   It's fixable, but now for the physiotherapy, my last 2 fingers are taped together and can't move. It's been 3 days already, 7 to go. But it drives me nuts!!!!!!      I' ve been on leave since friday, and can't build!!!!!!    I'm at a point where I need all the abitility of all my fingers........      I was wondering Eric.........   how strict are the timings for the GB?     I might get the build done at the last minute, hopefully.  

 Goosh, even typing is difficult  

Just about ready to paint the Panther.  I spent some time on the upper hull and have the plastic zimmerit attached to the face and sides, as well as the tool boxes in the back.  I'll tell you, this kit really shows it's age.  The fit isn't the best, especially with the thick plastic zim pieces.  It's impossible to get them all lined up correctly, but they're close enough for government work. 

I'm really enjoying the research part of this build and learning as much as I can about the Panther.  I really want to get my hands on the Dragon Panther Ausf. G Smartkit.  I know it will be far superior to this Italeri kit. 

I'll post some update pics later this week after I finish up a few more things.

Gun Tech wrote:

I was wondering Eric.........   how strict are the timings for the GB?     I might get the build done at the last minute, hopefully.

Sorry about that GT. I'll tell you, don't sweat it out. Out of 30 plus members, only a dozen or so seem to be active. I'm dragging something fierce and may not get done by the original deadline either. As long as this thread keeps going, those whom are active are more than able to receive their badge.

Scott, research is one of my favorite parts about building. I learn something new all the time. It kind of gives the build a little extra spice and reading about it gears me up to work on it more.

Hey guys why did i have to go to the bottom of Page 2 to find this?  We need to be more talkitive.

Well I've made more headway in two nights then when i started this project.  I dont want to take progress pics just yet. Anyone know what color the inside of this contraption was?

ygmodeler4 wrote:

Hey guys why did i have to go to the bottom of Page 2 to find this?  We need to be more talkitive. Well I've made more headway in two nights then when i started this project.  I dont want to take progress pics just yet. Anyone know what color the inside of this contraption was?

Yeah, I agree, this puppy has gone to the wayside for now. However, I hope that some or most are still busy. I don't see any interior to your build or I'm naive I guess. You are still doing the  the halftrack with nebelwerfer?

tigerman wrote:

ygmodeler4 wrote: Hey guys why did i have to go to the bottom of Page 2 to find this?  We need to be more talkitive. Well I've made more headway in two nights then when i started this project.  I dont want to take progress pics just yet. Anyone know what color the inside of this contraption was? Yeah, I agree, this puppy has gone to the wayside for now. However, I hope that some or most are still busy. I don't see any interior to your build or I'm naive I guess. You are still doing the  the halftrack with nebelwerfer?

Yes I am. I'm going to open the hatch directly above the drivers compartment.  You can also open the hatch above the rocket storing compartment. I'll take some pics soon to help explain.

Merry CHRISTmas guys and Remember the reason for the season.

tigerman wrote:

ygmodeler4 wrote: Hey guys why did i have to go to the bottom of Page 2 to find this?  We need to be more talkitive. Well I've made more headway in two nights then when i started this project.  I dont want to take progress pics just yet. Anyone know what color the inside of this contraption was? Yeah, I agree, this puppy has gone to the wayside for now. However, I hope that some or most are still busy. I don't see any interior to your build or I'm naive I guess. You are still doing the  the halftrack with nebelwerfer?

Of couse some of us are still busy     I put too much work in that project to not finish.   Things are just a bit slow because of the Holydays and visits and supper, and........   and.......              As of yesterday, my fingers are not taped anymore!!!!!!!!!!         I'll be making some progress tonight!!!!!

tigerman wrote:

It amazes me that 4 months have flown so fast since this first started. I don't know what happened.  I should be finished now.

So anybody know what their getting yet? I know one thing but that's b/c I only asked for one specific thing and its from micro mark and thats what the box said on it.

Well, I didn't get the pictures of my Marder IIIH up like I said I would, but I didnt get the figures done adn mounted and now it's totally done...

Fpr Xmas, I'm getting a VP Elefant Interior to go with the Premium DML Elefant I got, and some other misc. VP figure parts and the photo-etch set fot he Tamiya 1/48 Tiger IE.  I just got a Premium DML Panther D as well, and I'm trying to figure out if I can make the VP Panther A interior work.... 

Prometheum5 wrote:

Well, I didn't get the pictures of my Marder IIIH up like I said I would, but I didnt get the figures done adn mounted and now it's totally done...   Fpr Xmas, I'm getting a VP Elefant Interior to go with the Premium DML Elefant I got, and some other misc. VP figure parts and the photo-etch set fot he Tamiya 1/48 Tiger IE.  I just got a Premium DML Panther D as well, and I'm trying to figure out if I can make the VP Panther A interior work....

A couple of nice kits indeed. They should be fun to work on.

Prometheum5 wrote:

Well, I didn't get the pictures of my Marder IIIH up like I said I would, but I didnt get the figures done adn mounted and now it's totally done...   Fpr Xmas, I'm getting a VP Elefant Interior to go with the Premium DML Elefant I got, and some other misc. VP figure parts and the photo-etch set fot he Tamiya 1/48 Tiger IE.  I just got a Premium DML Panther D as well, and I'm trying to figure out if I can make the VP Panther A interior work....

A couple of nice kits indeed. They should be fun to work on.

Well a GB (Group Build) is a build of a [articular subject and you build some to your liking that fits that subject. There are various rules such as start dates and end dates and others which are usually found on the first page. To join one you say you want to join one, have a kit (or get one later) and build it before the end date. ONce your done you post pics of the completed build and usually you post the badge in your sig. Most builds aren't judged but some are.

ON a different not for Christmas I got an 1:48 AM B-25 C/D Red Wrath; a 1:35 Revell M3 Scout Car and an etchmate.  Oh and I got The Atlas of World War II or something along that line i cant remember the exact name but it's looks really cool from a brief scimming of the pages.

Well I hope everyone is having a merry Christmas.

rudedog wrote:

Tigerman,Since you put this GB together,would you be kind enough to explain," What the heck is a group build ? "I've seen them put together on this site,but never seen the results.I assume there's no prize,just pride.Is there someone judging the finishers ?And what are the start & stop dates.What do you do when your done ? I''ve always wanted to join one,,But I don't know these que.'s      Thank you  Tigerman & any who may toss in their 2 cents.   ~~~rudedog~~~

Rudedog, GB's are fun, but are always very different. I found that this one inspired many first-time forum members to use this as their first GB and to build Italeri kits. I feel lucky in that regard.

GB's differ based on whatever the creator decides the so-called rules are. I like to think of them as guidelines only. You pick a subject such as Italeri which is broader than say a Tiger I GB, which limits your subject. The start dates and end dates are your guidelines and usually it must be an unstarted kit. There are no prizes (though that might be fun for the future) and it's really all about the comradery and the motivation that the GB gives you in hopes of finishing a build. Most tend to get members pumped up, bu in the end, a handful actually finish their builds, though some GB's are more effective then others in that regard. Give it a shot!

espins1 wrote:

Progress is moving forward again.  I'm building the Italeri Panther Ausf A (old kit, I've had it for about 10 years).  A question for our Panther experts out there.  Pretty much every picture I've seen of a Panther is with the driver's vision thingy on the front hull open i.e. raised.  Would they have only closed it under fire and if they weren't moving?

Yes, I have seen pics of it closed on stationnary vehicle.......  As for combat situation, I'll have to check a bit deeper in my references.

espins1 wrote:

Progress is moving forward again.  I'm building the Italeri Panther Ausf A (old kit, I've had it for about 10 years).  A question for our Panther experts out there.  Pretty much every picture I've seen of a Panther is with the driver's vision thingy on the front hull open i.e. raised.  Would they have only closed it under fire and if they weren't moving?

I'd think it would be open only during movement, which would be movements during combat as well.

Ok, here's the build so far. The gun and the shield are not glued yet.

I plan to make a tarp to go over those ugly old Tamiya Jerry Cans, to hide them a bit, just showing the green newer one. A second one will be folded on the rear deck. I replaced all the tool handles, as they looked really horrible. Still missing a little bunch of details....... Notek light wire, radio antenna, exhaust bracket, chain on the rear pintle, tow cable, gun craddle lock nut, gas mask containers and tarp anchor points on the shield. The suspension bar on the road wheels is left out for painting purpose.  I'm trying to go for a busy look with a max of gear. The gun sight came from the Marder IIIM that I busted up a last year

Tell me what you think guys before I reach the painting stage