Exhausts drilled out!--1/72 Matchbox Jagdpanther kitbash

Hi guys,

Got a pre-painting update here to share. Benn working away a bit at a time here on the Jagdpanther. Here's the shot about a week ago--I ahve finished the wheels and installed them; they have nt really been weathered yet. I'm going to put the Revell indy links on them as the paint is drying on the hull. You can see some PE that I have added, and some of the DML parts.

Working from a list of field modifications suggested by panzer crews from the excellent Schiffer book "History of the Schwere Panzerjaeger Abteilung 654" by Karlheinz Munch, I have moved al the tools and fittings from the main hull sides, except for the wood block. These were applied to both early and later models. I have decided to model a late model with additional mods, such as the flame-reducing tail pipes. The wheels themsleves have not been glued on at this poit, and neither have I added tow hooks. Here is a comparision shot next to an Easter kiss...

The putty outlines of the old tool frames are commonly seen remnants of where the old tool frames used to be. The other side, next to the....HEY! .....

I scratched the side skirt rail and hangers, added bolts, and moved the tools to the rear deck. The tools had to be cut from the frames and sanded to size.

Other small details were added to the hatches, and there were also some grab handles made. Also, the rear hatch bumpers on the rear deck were made from sprue. Also, lids were made for the rear stowage containers.

The additional tools were moved to the rear plate, and the towing shackles squeezed in. The engine crank should actually go vertically, but I just plain couldn't fit it. I theorized this is where I'd weld affix it on my JP.

And the sweeet Matchbox base that I so love!

And the weird thing is, the 1/72 JP fits snugly into the 1/76 Matchbox JP tracks?

And that's where I am so far! I'll be laying down some base paint, and starting on the tracks and base coating....Stay tuned!

Mansteins revenge wrote:

Cool project...I have never delved into these kits even though I'm guessing I am about your age...I do know that most of the DML 72nd scale kits are very detailed...but those metal hulls are a real buzz-kill...what is your motive in bashing three of these: to get the best parts from each?

Mansteins revenge wrote:

Cool project...I have never delved into these kits even though I'm guessing I am about your age...I do know that most of the DML 72nd scale kits are very detailed...but those metal hulls are a real buzz-kill...what is your motive in bashing three of these: to get the best parts from each?

These kits are not high on the accuracy or detail list--their main appeal, to me anyway, is their "ready-made" diorama bases. Really a brilliant idea, then and now. The diversity of setting was and is still really impressive. With a little love, they can be made into gorgeous little scenes.

Rob--done with my taxes; I just may squeeze a few bucks out of the Federal gov't--but not the State! New York taxes us to DEATH!

I used to do my parents taxes, but the last time I did them was around 2005 or 2006 when they retired and moved to Florida. I now do my stepdaughter's taxes as well as my own. I've yet to have to cut a check to the Department of Treasury. In my younger days in the Army in Germany, I used to be detailed as the VITA or Volunteer Income Tax Assistant during the beginning of the calendar years.

Those Matchbox kits used to be around $2 and change when I was a kid living in Vermont. I think I bought the entire line of 1/76 armor and 1/72 aircraft, one kit at a time. One of the last kits I bought as a kid that never got built was the old Matchbox B-17 Flying Fortress. Thirty something years later, I know I still have it sitting unbuilt in a box somewhere. It was one of their bigger and more expensive kits at the time, running about $5+.

the doog wrote:

Hi Patrick! Sure thing! I get mine from Reynauld's Euro-Imports. They're really good about their stock, and very helpful in acquiring what you want. I git about 10 boxes of these figures--they're addictive once you start ordering them, they're just so versatile and cool to build with seperate arms and poses!  Here's the link right to the Preisser page: http://www.reynaulds.com/preiser.aspx

Thanks very much Doog. Surfed their site and it's easy to see why you use them. Didn't see any US WWII tank crews in particular but with what's available I maybe able to bash some of the sets and come out alright. Do wish they had some Brit WWII tank crews which would work out great for the Achilles IIc TD.

Anyway, thanks again for letting me butt into your thread. It will be interesting to follow along and pickup on some of your Braille Scale techniques.

All the best,

Patrick   

mmc wrote:

The old Matchbox kits are fantastic, I built most of them during my teens, the first being the Churchill AVRE. Does anyone know why Revell only released a select few of the old Matchbox kits? Mark

Hi Mark,

Actually there's about 20 or so of the ex-Matchbox armour kits listed on the Revell (Europe) website. I know there's been a mere handful avaliable for a few years, but I think we're starting to see a few more.

Wouldn't mind picking up one or two of these myself - I've been spying the JgdPz IV around the place locally...

Thanks, terry, and Jim! Nice to see that there are many guys who remember these kits as fondly as I do! 

And thanks, too, Rob, for posting a comment. I had to laugh at anyone "enjoying" doing taxes--I've actually made good progress this year, in that it's not April 13th when I'm starting them, LOL!  

I hate doing them so much that I usually put them off as long as I can. To many itemizations! And it doesn't look like any refund is coming my way....booo! 

Fair play there Karl. Looking forward to seeing this develop, that Matchbox is something I have not seen in a long time.

Good Luck with the build,

Terry.

DD-557 wrote:

the doog wrote: I cut the hatches opened to put in some great Preisser 1/72 figures, and shaved down the fenders from underneath. Hi Doog, I've been trying to locate some of those Preisser 1/72 dudes mail order stateside and have not found any as yet. Would you mind telling me where you get yours. Have a couple of Extratech's 1:72 AFV, their Achilles IIc TD and M-36 GMC, and would like to capture some of those little people for crews. I believe I will plan on big time use of the Optivisor. Look forward to following along on your build. Thanks for your time. Patrick

Sure thing! I get mine from Reynauld's Euro-Imports. They're really good about their stock, and very helpful in acquiring what you want. I git about 10 boxes of these figures--they're addictive once you start ordering them, they're just so versatile and cool to build with seperate arms and poses! 

Here's the link right to the Preisser page:

http://www.reynaulds.com/preiser.aspx

Mark--I think that the reason is demand, coupled with the licensing fees.

Huxy--yes, I will be using the Revell hull as the basis for the build, with parts fro the Dragon kit--like the PE< the cables, and various other better-molded parts.

the doog wrote:

I cut the hatches opened to put in some great Preisser 1/72 figures, and shaved down the fenders from underneath.

Hi Doog,

I've been trying to locate some of those Preisser 1/72 dudes mail order stateside and have not found any as yet. Would you mind telling me where you get yours. Have a couple of Extratech's 1:72 AFV, their Achilles IIc TD and M-36 GMC, and would like to capture some of those little people for crews. I believe I will plan on big time use of the Optivisor.

Look forward to following along on your build.

Thanks for your time.

Patrick

Looks good, Karl!

And is that the Revell hull you're using??

-Lasse

Looking forward to seeing this one.

The old Matchbox kits are fantastic, I built most of them during my teens, the first being the Churchill AVRE. Does anyone know why Revell only released a select few of the old Matchbox kits?

Mark

Thanks, Bill, Paul, Sam, and Mike!

Mike, that Jagd looks about as good as I've seen a Matchbox kit look! You've pretty much captured thelook of what I want to do with my base--dressit up withsome dirt and grass powders and all. Well done, sir!

The taxes are half-finished.... It's not looking good for a refund!...

Looking great doog!

The Matchbox kit may be basic by modern standards but it is a great kit to build and have a heap of fun not fussing over details!

Here is my Matchbox Jagdpanther, built a few years back as a filler build between aircraft.

It IS the bases ya know....

Mike

I've never thought about tackling brail scale, but considering how expensive kits are getting, I might look into them.

And you think you've got it bad with taxes? My mom does 'em for a living LOL!  You got nothing to complain about!

Using 3 x kits for 1 x model ?  Well, you sure couldnt afford to do it in 1/16......

Seriously Doog, looking forward to this one like always.