IanC Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Hello everyone. I shall be starting my first ever group build with this wee beastie. Sadly, I only have a modern Revell re-box but one advantage is the tracks appear softer and more useable than Matchbox's ancient shiny tracks. No Roy Huxley artwork either, so I hope you won't mind that I've reproduced the original here as well - all the inspiration I needed in 1970-something when I first built one of these. 😀 I shall be modifying it slightly to better reflect a late-model Jagdpanther, and will add some Milicast crew figures. I may also slightly enlarge the rear of the base to give him a bit more room. So, all set and raring to go... This photo may have been the inspiration for the diorama base: 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Hi Ian Delighted that you have chosen this GB to be your first one. They are very addictive so be careful, you will be scouring the interweb in no time looking to add to the stash for forcoming GBs or hopefully extra builds in this one ! The Matchbox armour series are all classics so it's great that you have got the ball rolling with our first, best of luck Cheers Pat 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 Just echoing Pat’s words, we are extremely humbled you have chosen this of all GB’s to be your very first. A few years back, I too was all enthused about getting on board and taking part and chose the previous Matchbox II GB to break my duck. At the time I was struggling to finish off models, however the encouragement I received was more than I needed to help me get over the line. It’s great that Revell have been kind enough to reissue a number of Matchbox kits, so it’s never a shame to see these still being built up. It might come in a Revell logo box, however the goodies inside are all Matchbox. Cheers, welcome aboard and best of luck.. Dave 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 21, 2022 Author Share Posted January 21, 2022 The Jagdpanther takes shape... I've scraped off the crude representations of the tool racks on the hull sides as these were often removed and the tools themselves mounted on the engine deck and rear hull, especially on late model JPs. I shall mount the tube for the gun cleaning rods on the rear deck as well. I've also drilled out the barrel, opened up the hole for the gunner's sight and modified the hull machine gun ball mount to better represent the real thing. It already looks a mean beast, I think! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Looks the business Ian Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 I built one of these as a kid and have a couple of these in the “stash” so will be pulling up a chair and following your build. Also have been following the rebuild of this real one and hope to get up to Cairns one day and see it in the flesh si to speak : 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 22, 2022 Author Share Posted January 22, 2022 19 hours ago, Rob S said: I built one of these as a kid and have a couple of these in the “stash” so will be pulling up a chair and following your build. Also have been following the rebuild of this real one and hope to get up to Cairns one day and see it in the flesh si to speak : Thanks for the link Rob. Interesting! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 25, 2022 Author Share Posted January 25, 2022 A small update - the tracks are on and hopefully I've achieved some proper sag once the super glue has cured and the timber removed! I'm having a go at scratching the side skirt mountings and front mudguards. The skirts themselves were often torn off or removed and so I won't be adding them. Well, as long as I can get the tracks to stay down I won't... 😀 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 Ian, I'm hoping your track sag gluing method works well for you. I'll need every tip I can find should I ever venture down the Matchbox AFV route. Cheers and looking good.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 28, 2022 Author Share Posted January 28, 2022 Construction of the Jagdpanther is almost complete. I've tried to recreate a late model 'G2' version so have chopped a few things about a bit. The mudguards aren't quite right - a vague representation really. I added a few things from the spares box - the resin and wire tow cable and the 'Flammvernichter' exhaust mufflers. A jack block still needs adding - maybe. As you can see I've also extended the base so its back end doesn't stick out so much! I've not settled on a paint scheme yet but I may go for one of those fancy stripey ones applied to the Hannover MNH-built JPs. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertA Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Hi Ianc, I really like what you are doing. The modifications to the machinegun ballmount change the face of the JP immediately and for the better. The mudguards are nothing to be complained about, looking good, just like the cleaningrod tube on the back of the enginedeck. Will you make tools and other stuff to go on the back of the vehicle and the crewcompartment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Ian, you are not helping me to avoid adding to the stash at all ! Keep looking at Revell reboxings and thinking 🤔 it's only one more kit where's the harm Looks the business mate Cheers Pat 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 28, 2022 Author Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, RobertA said: Hi Ianc, I really like what you are doing. The modifications to the machinegun ballmount change the face of the JP immediately and for the better. The mudguards are nothing to be complained about, looking good, just like the cleaningrod tube on the back of the enginedeck. Will you make tools and other stuff to go on the back of the vehicle and the crewcompartment? Thanks Robert, The jack is already moulded in place between the exhausts. And the sledgehammer on the rear deck. The shovel is missing - should be on the rear casemate? But I think I'm going to leave it as is. I'm aiming for an overall effect more than an accurate rendition. I'm glad you like the MG mount - that HAD to be changed! 😉 All the best, Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 30, 2022 Share Posted January 30, 2022 Have to agree, your work is extremely neat and very tidy Ian and this build is also attracting the interests of your fellow co-host who has neither time nor space to add models to his bulging stash. Lovely stuff mate. Cheers.. Dave 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 I've got some paint on. The tricky stripey camo is done. I just have the tracks and details to do and then a pin wash and a bit of weathering. Then the fun bit with the diorama base! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 That looks just superb and very effective. The pin wash and weathering will bring all that fine detail up nicely. It actually looks a lot bigger than 1/76 scale. Love it! Cheers.. Dave. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 The Jagdpanther is done with a pin wash, some dry-brushing and a bit of pigment weathering. Hardest part was painting the periscope lenses and the drivers vision slit. The Revell transfers were a bit oversized so I cut down the crosses and used some numbers from the spares box - thanks Airfix PzKpfw IV! I'm now working on a commander figure from Milicast and the diorama base. I'm hoping to cover up that big gap where the tracks join using a bit of groundwork. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 The Jagdpanther is finished. I extended the rear of the diorama base a little and added some groundwork. The figure is by Milicast. It was great fun doing this one and brought back many happy memories. As others have said, big thanks to Dave and Pat for organising the whole thing! 👍 Best wishes, Ian 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vppelt68 Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Well done! I built a Jp in the previous Matchbox GB, a stripy one too but not NEARLY as beautiful as yours . You'd win all your bets if you made people guess which kit you built, without the base of course! V-P 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek_B Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Wow, that looks stunning Ian, great job. I remember building a couple of these when I was young, just because of the shape of the thing! Thanks for bringing back the memories! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Lovely job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREG DESTEC Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Superb 👍 Well worth expanding the base,and adding the crew member. Cheers Greg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 7 hours ago, Derek_B said: Wow, that looks stunning Ian, great job. I remember building a couple of these when I was young, just because of the shape of the thing! Thanks for bringing back the memories! Thanks Derek. Yes, it's an AFV which looks pretty sleek and effective even now. I seem to remember them being popular on the school wargames club table too. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 This looks good Ian. Great work Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimJ Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Great build Ian. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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