Andy Moore Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther Ausf.A Late Meng 1/35 Meng's initial Panther release, which I finished a few weeks ago after a somewhat protracted build, mainly due to the working tracks which were a bit of a nightmare to put together. The rest of the kit goes together fine however, and the detail and build engineering is up to Meng's usual high standards. Those tracks though . Seven sprue gates per link that all need careful removal and reshaping as they're on curved sections of the link. That's 1218 connections to clean up and reshape for two full runs. On top of that, there are two separate guide horns to attach to each link. With the kit tracks, you'd then need to glue the links together and drape them around the wheels. I was using the separate working track/suspension set, which has identical links apart from them being pre-drilled to accept metal pins. Pinning them together was actually pretty easy, although still massively tedious. The working suspension works well enough, but is actually a bit pointless on the finished model, and the swing arms have a tendency to jam up when you get some paint on making it harder, rather than easier, to get the wheels to sit level. If you're thinking of picking the kit up, I personally wouldn't bother with the working track/suspension set. Stick with the kit supplied suspension and get a set of Friuls. The rest of the kit is very nice. Plenty of optional parts, and some nice extras like the PE schurzen plates. The initial release comes with a metal barrel, although the standard one-piece styrene one is perfectly usable. Thanks for looking Andy 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard E Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Looks very smart Andy and a very well rendered trademark bucket ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Those tracks...well...they were worth the effort! Build and paintjob are really amazing. Bravo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soeren Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Beautiful kit and great idea and execution of this unique paintscheme. The tracks are fully workable? When you still can, you might want to take out at least 2-3 links, unless the Americans liked some slack on their Panthers, it should have much higher track tension. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etienne Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Excellent, as usual should I say 😎 E 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeR Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Great stuff! Mike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 great work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackMax12 Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Pretty awesome Andy. Tell me that isn't Meng's Mickey Mouse zimmerit decals. You have lots more patience than I with those tracks, I scrapped them and used Friuls. Take care, Lloyd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Outstanding! 👍 regards, Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted June 10, 2018 Author Share Posted June 10, 2018 Thanks guys, 5 hours ago, Soeren said: The tracks are fully workable? When you still can, you might want to take out at least 2-3 links, unless the Americans liked some slack on their Panthers, it should have much higher track tension. Yes, they could do with a couple of links removing. I'd actually already removed one from each run from the number shown in the instructions. The working suspension doesn't help either, as the wheels tend to move out of alignment and mess up the track tension. 44 minutes ago, BlackMax12 said: Tell me that isn't Meng's Mickey Mouse zimmerit decals. Thanks Lloyd. No, the zim on this is putty. I tried out the decals but I wasn't very impressed with them. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Very nice & an unusual scheme. Re the tracks - some manufacturers certainly have a warped sense of humour. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 You have been busy. Nice job with the Panther, and it makes a change to see it in those markings. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancisGL Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Fantastic !, the Zimm, although of not so pretty design (for my taste, the real of course), is, magnificently achieved, since it really looks like the paste applied on a surface, with a real consistency and texture. Of course, everything else is seen at a top notch level. Cheers Andy . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Superb job Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beefy66 Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 Another one of your great builds there Andy. 👍🏻 Beefy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris B Posted June 15, 2018 Share Posted June 15, 2018 Interesting finish. I like the weathering on the bottom part of the model, especially muddy splashes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 Typically lovely work Andy. You sure have patience and more importantly nimble fingers when it comes to those tracks! Rearguards, Badder 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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