Building the V2 Prototype
Let’s start with a short overview of the work done so far – I did not yet modify everything. I just stuck everything together here, DS Tracks are fine for holding the roadwheels on, they get replaced with 3D Printed ones.
Mantlet is not yet modified, the rainguard has to go. The cover plate with the hatches were not present on the photographes, I'll use a January Production vehicle for reference. Note the vent cover and travel lock are not installed since Dragon does not provide the early type - only the later production version. No Periscopes were mounted on V2. Dirver visor cover was operational, on V1 it was welded shut.
V2 has a unique test turret with a very different shape. The central bump stop for the gun elevation is a later modification that needs to be removed on v2. Copula opens at a different angle that later prod. vehicles, on the right I did correct the rear turret wall with a printed part, on v2 I did not find it necessary.
The engine deck on v2 (left) is left blank by dragon, this was one of the inaccuracies in Panzer Tracts, they didn't have the pictures back then. Dragon should have fixed it by providing guide marks for placing the air intake covers. They were lazy and didn't. Coolant infill covers are on both sides included into the radiator covers on v2, the fuel filler cap is in the same location as the Coolant filler of a production type vehicle. No Schnorchel (deep wading) is installed on v2.
Next big feature of V2 is it had no interlocking armour and the sides were not extended behind the rear wall. It was made from mild steel, just fiy when it comes to choosing decals and "camo"
Dragon makes us the heavily modify the rear wall and lower chassis. This goes to an extend I'd only expect on a Conversion Kit but not on a full kit. Nevertheless the chassis they used is their generic Ausf. D & A one with reenforced belly plate - that's wrong. It has had a 16mm non-reenforced floor plate as many Panther D had.
finished the front section by cutting off the rainguard on the mantlet and making the travel lock symetrical. Panzer Tracts notes something about a different style of fan cover, I don't see a difference in the included drawings in 1/35th...
First iteration of 3D printed Fender extensions. It goes in the right direction, but will need further adjustment.
Finished most of the engine deck, there are still 2 small things missing: A Y-shaped tube sticking in the fuel filler cap and a round shape between fuel filler and engine hatch. I print both as soon as I have figured out they are. Dragon does include the right type of grills, the radiator covers had no mesh on them.
Panther-31.jpg
Panther-31.jpg
Compared to a mid-year panther d rear there are no access hatches. Dragon instructs us to remove all of them. I did leave the track tensioning system on there, according to the research squad panther A book, it would be hard to access the mechanism from the inside, but I could be wrong about it.
Aside from different style stowage bins, v2 had a very different exhaust system. Still need to dig deeper in the style and position of the tail light.
Still with DS Tracks at the end of the day. Printing tracks will take most of the next week spare time. The aluminum barrel is not inculded I took it from Dragons 6940 Panther D & Pantherturm.
Designed new Tracks to replace the DS ones. That was the first batch, first iteration of early Panther tracks.
Printed tracks are mounted and look not even bad. The Guidehorn need a upgrad though.
2nd Iteration of my tracks, Guidehorns are better, ptich & slack are already perfect.
Final version of my fender extensions. Wingnuts were added overall better fit.
Finished the engine deck. Addition of lifting hooks, and a small access hatch are not mentioned in the manual.
a small addition there is a ladder on the left side of the vehicle that is not included in the kit.
Full range color modulation. First attempt ever goin for darkest to brightest
designed some new tracks, pushing the limit.
these are as close to the original as it gets.
Was not happy with the last one, this one is much closer to the picture and does still print well.
Since I was porting my files I updates the front fender extensions as well.
Many early Ausf. D do have some leftover from the casting process in form of disks on the front of the Mantlet. Could have modified one by Meng to fit the Dragon kit. Well printing is a Option as well.
Komentarzy
15 6 February 2021, 14:48
Achim RibbeOhoh... never seen the rubber tracks on a tank.....do yourself a favour. Place these tracks where they should belong to... into the trash bin.
Diese Vinylketten sehen nicht gut aus...ansonsten man ist gespannt auf den Fortschritt
6 February 2021, 16:45
tankbrusherAs written in the Image captions: DS Tracks are fine for holding the roadwheels on, they get replaced with 3D Printed ones.
Entschuldige, verstehst ja Deutsch ; ) Ich drucke mir meine Ketten selbst, hab bisher ca 15 verschiedene Einzelgliedketten konstruiert und gedruckt, geht prima...
6 February 2021, 17:32
Achim RibbeAh .. ich drucke auch...Ich habe einen Resin Drucker. Elegoo Mars Pro
14 February 2021, 10:38
Achim RibbeGuck auf diese Idee bin ich noch gar nicht gekommen....DANKE. Für die Inspiration.
14 February 2021, 10:40
tankbrusher@Achim Ribbe Ich nutze den Photon S und Sonic Mini 4k. Dein Dioramabau mittles Resindruck ist auch etwas neues für mich. Solltest mal Ketten brauchen, scheibst mich einfach an, die vom Panther sind mittlerweile durchentwickelt und schauen nochmal nen ticken besser aus. Fühe (Splint und Ring am Bolzen, mittlere (Ronde und Splint am Bolzen) und Späte (Mischung aus Mittleren Ausf. D und frühen Ausf. A Ketten) habe ich jetzt schon erfolgreich verbaut.
16 February 2021, 08:49
Album info
i’d like to introduce my V2 Panther Test Chassis build, Dragon Models 6830 is the 2nd and most up to date Kit for this Project. However, for a 2016 release it feels half baked and hasted. The initial release back in 2015, Dragon No.6822, was designed on Panzer Tracts Drawings, new Photos emerged making the drawings as well as 6822 obsolete…
For my build I’l cross reference Panzer Tracts 5-1; Germanys Panther Tanks as well Abt. 502 External Design Changes...
