Stokesy's Meng 1/35 Jagdpanther winter kitty

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 12:23 pm

This was supposed to be entered in the Tank Hunter Spring Offensive SIG but a combination of issues forced me to put it back on the shelf.

All sorted now so here we go. The Jagdpanther, or JP, is a turretless Panther up-gunned to carry a high velocity 88. Acknowledged as the best tank hunter the Germans produced, it was yet another vehicle that, while extremely capable, was never produced in enough numbers to have any real impact on the course of the war.

Ifs my first Meng kit and I'm well impressed. Plastic looks good, some nice PE and metal for the fenders. You get a choice of 2 different single piece barrels and the gun comes with a full breach so I could have the rear hatch open maybe.

Added some Fruils because the kit tracks look like the devil's work to me.

Off we go and as usual with Jerry armour its a bonkers amount of wheels. The interlocking suspension that started with the Tiger 1 was used for the Panther and Tiger 2. Apparently a real pisser to service in the winter as the wheels tended to freeze together.

Nice detail and will look good weathered and painted. Mind you I intend to plaster the running gear with snow and slush so much will be lost.

Separate pieces with braces for the hull. Not the usual bath tub type as favoured by Tamiya. Solid enough though,

The wheels aren't fully on at this point. They're VERY tight on the connectors so something will need to be done.

Rear plate on and wheels sorted. I used a small drill bit and widened the holes a fraction. They go on nicely now as a tension fit

Its a good start. Next up is the upper hull with the rear deck, casement for that massive 88 then the gun itself. All good stuff and very happy so far.

Post by **digger303** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 1:55 pm

Very good start. I was always a bit skeptical with the slab sided construction of hulls, yet they have been good to me so far and go together well.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 6:31 pm

Nice start and looking good

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 7:34 pm

You never go wrong with Meng. Quality kits and this gonna look superb.

DW

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:42 am

Oh yes, yes, yes

you'r off to a great start

Pulling up my chair mate looking forward to seeing this come together

Post by **ElCapitan** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:39 am

I was hoping we would see this again - can't wait to see what you do with it!

Post by **KalebB** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 5:59 pm

Looks like it's going to be a great little kit. Can't wait to see it all weathered and wintered up!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 6:54 pm

Thanks Guys. Looking forward to getting stuck in myself.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 11:19 am

It's a great kit mate - you'll love it!

Looking forward to seeing it in all its wintry glory

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:58 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Tue Oct 22, 2019 11:19 am It's a great kit mate - you'll love it!

Looking forward to seeing it in all its wintry glory

Me too! Lovely kit. As for my efforts, Could end up a master piece, could be a dogs breakfast!

Post by **digger303** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:08 am

Stokesy44 wrote: Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:58 pm
Tomcat64 wrote: Tue Oct 22, 2019 11:19 am It's a great kit mate - you'll love it!

Looking forward to seeing it in all its wintry glory
Me too! Lovely kit. As for my efforts, Could end up a master piece, could be a dogs breakfast!

Now we know thats not going to happen

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:25 am

digger303 wrote: Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:08 am Now we know thats not going to happen

We sure do

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:42 pm

Kevthemodeller wrote: Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:25 am
digger303 wrote: Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:08 am Now we know thats not going to happen
We sure do

Lol - got to remember how to do a winter wash first. Last time was on my Tamiya Elefant but I'll be bu****ed if I can remember how I did it.

Post by **CygnusX1** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 4:29 pm

I love Panthers and all variations of.
Have built quite a few Jadgpanthers in my time, and I've also used that set of Friuls a good few times too (they're really nice), so will be watching with interest.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 12:36 pm

Got a bit more done. Its starting to look like a JP now.

Had some fun where the upper and lower front armour plates met. Had to use some filler in the end as even brute force wouldn't hold them tight together.

The classic Panther rear end

Got carried away when I was drilling the holes for the exhausts, need to fill the extras made in error.

Next up will be a few hours of hull and rear deck greeblies. Then its on to the roof and finally that big nasty 88.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 3:41 pm

Good save on the glacis plate join

I wouldn't expect serious fit issues with Meng

The leopard 2 of theirs I built was as good as any Tamiya kit I've built for fit.

Post by **KalebB** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 3:58 pm

Such a dangerous looking kitty.

Can't wait to see it all painted up!

Post by **Quax** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 5:30 pm

More goodness Stokesy, great to see you back in the thick of it!

Cheers Paul

Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:50 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2019 3:41 pm Good save on the glacis plate join

I wouldn't expect serious fit issues with Meng The leopard 2 of theirs I built was as good as any Tamiya kit I've built for fit.

Yep, a combination of sausage fingers and lack of practice on my point. Its most probably down to some sprue gate I missed fling down. On such things battles are lost. Thank the lord for filler

Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:53 am

KalebB wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2019 3:58 pm Such a dangerous looking kitty.

Can't wait to see it all painted up!

Could be a while my friend but it will get there

And you're right, she's one of those vehicles that just looks right. Like it would rip your head off soon as look at you. The only other vehicles I put in that class from WW2 are the Tiger II and of course the original Panther. They're a bit like the Spitfire in that regard. If it looks right, it flies right.

For beast of armour change that to - If it looks right, it kills right.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:54 am

Quax wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2019 5:30 pm More goodness Stokesy, great to see you back in the thick of it!
Cheers Paul

Thanks Paul. Its a slow process but at least its moving in the right direction now

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Nov 15, 2019 11:59 am

I've not been paying attention - that's coming together nicely mate.

There were one or two unexpected fitment quirks on mine too!

Post by **KalebB** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 4:07 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:53 am
KalebB wrote: Sat Oct 26, 2019 3:58 pm Such a dangerous looking kitty.

Can't wait to see it all painted up!
Could be a while my friend but it will get there

And you're right, she's one of those vehicles that just looks right. Like it would rip your head off soon as look at you. The only other vehicles I put in that class from WW2 are the Tiger II and of course the original Panther. They're a bit like the Spitfire in that regard. If it looks right, it flies right.

For beast of armour change that to - If it looks right, it kills right.

That's kind of how I feel about the KV-2 and the Sturmtiger. They both have these massive, screw you guns basically just put on a tracked platform.

I absolutely love it

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:11 pm

After too much time away from the bench I got in a good session yesterday. I was in full greebly mode on the rear deck.

PE grills on, no drama. Found a new way to apply the CA glue to avoid splodging the glue and it showing through the mesh. I applied the gel CA using a cocktail stick so the gel went exactly where I wanted it to go.

Note the position of the 'magic' giant plyers - I say magic because they disappear later

Ammo hatch done. I find it almost impossible to remove sprue marks from tank grab handles - as you can see. The only way I find works is to use a sanding stick after the handle is in place and the glue is properly cured.

The kit doesn't tell you to but I built the hatch in such a way that once attached it can be opened. The gun has a fully detailed interior section and I think it will be visible with the rear hatch open. Its also good to get paint effects around the hatch seal as the field applied camo and winter wash would stop at the exterior edges of the hatch. There's some nice detail on the interior of the hatch too.

AND you can see in the above pic the magic plyers have disappeared! The kit has multiple versions and they all have subtle differences as to where the greeblies go. I kind of got lost when I was drilling all the various location holes so I've ended up botching where stuff goes. It doesn't bother me at all as, except for the faffing involved when stuff needs moving or holes need filling, I'm not that fussed as to individual accuracy to a specific unit vehicle. Some may call it lazy but hey, my kit, my rules

All greebled up now on the back end. Just a couple of PE handles on the barrel rod container and a couple of bits for the cable locators and it will be done. Bits on the side are next then its on to that honking big 88 tank killer popgun.

Should get back to it today so hopefully more postings to come soon

Post by **ElCapitan** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 2:43 pm

That looks great Stokesy! It's interesting to see how the positions of the tools are so different to my Tamiya kit. I guess individual crews would work out what positioning worked best for them and go with that - that rod container looks like it would make a good back-rest for example!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 3:43 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 2:43 pm That looks great Stokesy! It's interesting to see how the positions of the tools are so different to my Tamiya kit. I guess individual crews would work out what positioning worked best for them and go with that - that rod container looks like it would make a good back-rest for example!

Thanks Rob. I get a bit suspicious when kits have all these different versions and different tool placement points. To be honest, how many bits would have got knocked off anyway after a few weeks in the field?

I'm just trying to get the building phase finished so I can get painting. Trying to get my head around the winterising and what to do in what order.

Post by **KalebB** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 6:43 pm

She's looking good bud!
Coming together nicely

I feel the losing pliers thing, I somehow managed to misplace the pickaxe for my H-35 so now I'm sitfting through my parts bin to find a spare

Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:07 am

Another solid session yesterday. Am I the only modeller who experiences sessions that sometimes go like clockwork? Time seemed to slow down and I got so much done!

Right hand side all greebled up. I will have to use the Fruils for the spare tracks mounted on the hull. I threw away the set that came with the kit - not realising I would need to spares for the hull

Left side with holes filled in for parts that went elsewhere. I'm not sure if the mounts for the barrel cleaning tube should still be applied here as they also mount a tool that doesn't go anywhere else. I'll decide before priming. One of the versions definitely has a blank space with no mounts at all so I'm not too sure

Then it was onto the gun breach and mount. Lots of parts and it builds up to a nice piece. The original would have been white (I think) so I'm really starting to think I will paint it properly and have the ammo hatch open so it can be glimpsed. I did a similar thing when I built Tamiya's Jagdtiger and that looked pretty cool with the big 2 piece hatch open on the rear wall.

Maybe I'm just being a big kid - as a child I loved bits that moved on kits so having a hatch I can open myself is COOL!

I remember reading a history book where the mounted 88 was described as a 'telephone pole' of a gun. Seems about right to me! Slide moulded single peace barrel too - God bless you Ming

Front end showing some filler repairs. There's some tiny PE clasp type things that are supposed to be all over the hull but my fingers (and eyes) were just not up to it.

Another nice touch from Meng - the bow mounted MG can be attached from the outside. Put it in before the end and it might as well be wearing a red shirt 'Star Trek style' cos there's no way that gun barrel survives!

Roof and optics next then a few more bits and bobs before priming at the weekend. Going to prime in Ultimate's grey. Black is too dark as the base coat is going to be sand yellow.

Post by **Quax** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 3:47 pm

See, not being distracted by frivolous away days

means that now it's really coming together Stokesy! Glad your enjoying it

Paul

Post by **KalebB** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 6:20 pm

Ugh she's looking so good.

I'm dang near about to order one even tho I already have two WIP's on the bench right now haha

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:02 pm

Oh yes you're on a roll there mate

just keep it going

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:09 am

KalebB wrote: Fri Nov 22, 2019 6:20 pm Ugh she's looking so good.

I'm dang near about to order one even tho I already have two WIP's on the bench right now haha

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:10 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:02 pm Oh yes you're on a roll there mate just keep it going

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 10:45 am

Thanks Guys,

I'm trying to keep the momentum up. I got her 99.9% to the finish line for priming.

Roof panel for the fighting compartment is nice fit. Looking like a proper JP now.

All greebled up now with hatches, filters and optics. All perfect fits. This kit reminds me of new tool Tamiya offerings, I have hardly had to test fit anything or use any elbow grease to keep things moving forward. Some guys thrive on the challenge a kit gives them in the building phase. I'm not one of them! No Sir. If I've paid for it, I expect it to go together properly - after that its down to me.

Filled the holes next to the driver's port and put the spot light on. For once, the sprue gate on the light meant I didn't destroy the thing when I cut it off the sprue. Normally I find the gate on Jerry spots always means I mash up the light in some way

Final bits are the PE side rails and 2 tiny grabs on the ends of the barrel cleaning rod tube. The side rails were a bit if a challenge. For some reason they don't have the normal line cut groove in them where they need to bend. I put them in my bug but as there was no groove they resisted. I used my Tamiya PE grabbers (not sure on the terminology) instead and rolled the edge over with the handle of my hobby knife. Bit of a faff but I think I got there in the end.

I got one side done before time was up and dinner came a calling. Just the other side left and the grab handles on the rod tube then its painting time!

Post by **digger303** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 12:52 pm

From what I can see the side rails look great as does the rest of it.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 1:16 pm

That's trundling along really nicely mate. Those side rail/fender things were a bugger on mine too - really struggled to get them bent uniformly.

I wouldn't worry about the placement of the tools & stuff (not that you were worried anyway!) as I get the distinct feeling these things were remounted whenever the crew decided they'd be more useful somewhere else!

Very tidy work all around and looking forward to seeing it painted up and wintered.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:51 pm

Great PE work mate

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:39 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:51 pm Great PE work mate

Thanks Kev, not my favourite thing when building but I can appreciate the effect. Its not quite up there with the miracle work you did on that B17 but its the best I can do.

My circle templates arrived during the week, they will be used to mask off the rims when I spray the wheels.

Things didn't quite go to plan time wise so its taken me another week before the beast is properly ready for painting.

Finished the PE side runners and attached the teenie tiny grabs on the cleaning rod tube.

Added the spare tracks using a few of the extras from my Fruils (checked they WERE actual extras first). They look the business with their hollow guide horns. Well pleased.

I just love the way this thing looks.

Here's one side of the tracks. 87 links that need checking - a quick run through with a 0.5mm drill and for nicking off any burrs that survived the casting process. Early signs are good, very little resistance to the drill and the casting looks clean.

I just need to take the wheels off and mount them for spraying then it will be time to fire up the booth and compressor

And as its the season I thought I'd lay on a meme or two over the next few weeks!

Post by **alextheblue** » Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:46 pm

That's coming on a real treat, very nice work!

Those Fruil's are a great touch for the spare track links.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Dec 01, 2019 1:05 pm

alextheblue wrote: Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:46 pm That's coming on a real treat, very nice work!

Those Fruil's are a great touch for the spare track links.

Thanks Alex,

I'm pleased with the tracks too. I threw out the plastic ones when the metal ones arrived so I had to use them anyway. A happy result.

Fired up the airbrush, I went with black primer in the end, as the kit will be in winter wash I wanted real depth to the paintwork where it shows through. Its also useful for the rubber wheel rims. I used Ultimate Black Primer and barring one bit of tip dry, it sprayed beautifully. Not bad given its been sat unused for nearly 18 months. Sprayed at about 30psi and it laid down really smooth.

I forgot to prime the inside of the hatch

, I had it open when I sprayed the rear wall of the fighting compartment then forgot to spray it before I closed it.

She's all ready for the base coat now. Tamiya Desert Yellow. Looking forward to seeing how the wheel masking goes

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Dec 01, 2019 1:12 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: Sat Nov 23, 2019 1:16 pm Very tidy work all around and looking forward to seeing it painted up and wintered.

Thanks mate. As Red Leader said - 'Almost there'

Post by **KalebB** » Sun Dec 01, 2019 3:42 pm

She's coming together real nice

It's gonna be a bad little kitty with attitude when you're done

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 4:21 pm

Time to transform her from stealth kitty to winter kitty

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:38 pm

Friuls are superb tracks

just pricey

Lovely looking primer coat mate, the PE really starts to pop once the paint goes on

Post by **Donkeywalloper** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:21 am

Really, really nice build chap, coming together beautifully
DW

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:01 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:38 pm Friuls are superb tracks just pricey

Lovely looking primer coat mate, the PE really starts to pop once the paint goes on

Thanks Kev. With the Fruils, the kit cost me almost as much as the same vehicle by Dragon!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:04 am

Donkeywalloper wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:21 am Really, really nice build chap, coming together beautifully
DW

Tomcat64 wrote: Mon Dec 02, 2019 4:21 pm Time to transform her from stealth kitty to winter kitty

KalebB wrote: Sun Dec 01, 2019 3:42 pm She's coming together real nice

It's gonna be a bad little kitty with attitude when you're done

Thanks Guys. Aiming to put the yellow down today. Worked on the Fruils yesterday for a bit. Went together nicely. About a third done.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:54 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:01 am With the Fruils, the kit cost me almost as much as the same vehicle by Dragon!

Worth it

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:08 am

Kevthemodeller wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2019 8:54 pm
Stokesy44 wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:01 am With the Fruils, the kit cost me almost as much as the same vehicle by Dragon!
Worth it

Yep, and it shows what good value Meng kits are.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:19 am

Only a short update today. I have been otherwise engaged over the last couple of days.

One side of the Fruils done. No drama, not a single dodgy link. Fingers are numb so I'll give them a day before I sort out the other side. Gives me time to set up my entry in the hover Sig.

Now think of Bryan Adams....

Got my first set of Fruil tracks, bought them at the 5 and dime. Built them till my fingers bled, was the summer of 69...