Italeri Sd.Kfz.179 Bergepanther

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 11:04 am

So here is my entry into this SIG

This is a re-box of an earlier kit with some PE added

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 11:54 am

And the sprue shots

So lets start with the A sprue:

The detail on the wheels are very nice and the sprockets don't look too bad either

This sprue also contains the tub and allot of small parts, tools, grab handles and then the front mounted gun

which I'm sorry to say has very soft detail and I will have to look at replacing it

Now for sprue B

This sprue contain the top of the hull that has signs of stress on the front glacias and no signs of cast texture.

Also all the parts that will be glued to the side has clear markings of there positions, witch I don't find very welcome

Also I'm very skeptic about these molded on cables on the wench drums

This sprue is full of the wench details cables and some smaller parts - with lots of flash on the spare track links

And now for sprue C

this sprue contains some of the larger hull pieces and then the rigging for the wench
There is also allot of pin marks on the parts that are double sided

and again almost no texture on the engine hatch

and then comes the big question

As of one glue point on vinyl tracks isn't enough.....Why would you have 14 on each side

Although the detail is not too bad

And yes there is pin marks on them

and then the PE and decals

PE is nice and thin and the decals are cut close and flat

As for the instructions

Its not in a booklet but they are clear and understandable

And the marking guide

All in all....the kit is not too bad as it is a re-box of a older kit and most of the changes that I might do to the kit will be because I want to
and not because I have to..

Soon to follow some information on the design and requierment of these Bergepanthers

Sorry for the pictures being in all directions but on my PHOTO BUCKET the are all correct( don't know where the mistake lies)

Post by **PaulAyrey** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:37 pm

Great subject. Can't wait to see your progress!

Post by **mannloon** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:42 pm

Those molded on cables being in two halves looks like it might be fiddly, and those tracks look....problematic. I hope you kill it, I look forward to seeing it.

Post by **chief5437** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 2:48 pm

When I first saw the boxart, I was

'what a great kit! All that interior!

Reading your comments has dampened that slightly. What a shame about all those pin marks! And I hate where they mark out on the hull, where to tools go! What were they thinking?!

Shame about the moulded on cables too. It'd look great with real cable!

However, these things are sent to try us! I'm sure it'll look awesome when your done with it. Best of luck with the build mate

Post by **HotziSlayer** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 3:04 pm

I got this kit in my stock too. I think its a cool kit, cause there is no Bergepanther of this kind at all, except for the ICM early Bergepanther.

I will follow your build, maybe i can learn something for my later build of this kit.

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 4:04 pm

So here is some more information on the actual tank

When the first Tiger I and Panther were issued to the troops it turned out that with the existing recovery equipment the new AFV could not be recovered easily. There were 2 Sd.Kfz. 9 (Famo 18 ton) necessary for one Panther and even 3 for a Tiger I.
Picture of a Sd.Kfz. 9

At the end of March 1943 a directive by the Generalinspekteur der deutschen Panzertruppe, Generaloberst Heinz Guderian was issued to convert some Panthers to Bergepanthers. Since the matter was urgent, M.A.N. was instructed on May 10th to convert 10 Panther to Bergepanther.
In the construction plans a 40ton winch, a ground spade and an automatic 2cm KwK 38 were already scheduled. The first 12 vehicles were produced in June 1943 and had neither a winch nor a ground spade and no KwK 38. The hull was identical to the Panther D with slight modifications. Instead of the turret the opening received a wooden cover, underneath there was stowage space for a variety of equipment.
Here is a page of the technical requirements

Afterwards the vehicle has been further improved on the chassis of the Panther A and equipped underneath. Square plates on the bow intended to push vehicles in conjunction with the recovery timber, a 2 ton jib beam, the winch with ground spade

and the 2 cm KwK with the relevant conversions were added. In addition, the driver’s and radio operator’s hatch were removed and a large opening, which could be covered with a tarpaulin was added. There was now space for four people in the bow of the vehicle.
Different types of armament for the tank

The heart of the Bergepanther was the 40 ton winch, it was a development of M.A.N. from 1940 and was originally built for an amphibious pioneer vehicle from which 4 off were built. The winch was only slightly changed and fitted into the Bergepanther. It was driven by a drive shaft from the main engine. The production of the winch took place at the company Raupach in Gorlitz, and later in Warnsdorf/Sudetenland.The compartment held the equipment, winch, cable drum, and the steel arm that ran above the winch area. The engine had to be turned off every time the winch was to be turned on. Rollers guided the cables over the rear of the Bergepanther.

Bergepanther were built in the versions A and G, but about the used hulls no conclusions can be drawn. Furthermore the hulls was not a simple conversions from the hulls of the battle tank production. They had an independent design and also different ancillary industry. Among other things, the differences were in the allocation of the internal space. (The main change was the implementation of the revised G ground spade with extended support arms. It made a change in the exhaust system necessary; extended tubes were installed. However, there were also some Bergepanther A with an identical ground spade, so that an assignment is quite difficult)(The short ground spade seems to be a single piece just for testing in a pre-production testing). On almost all Ausf.G the mount for the 2cm KwK 38 was missing, but not on all. There were many differences on the two models such as the size of the fuel tanks, the mountings for the tool holders, with or without a jib beam, the length of the exhaust pipes adapted to the various versions of the ground spade. Partial improvements were retrofitted to older Bergepanthers. Both, Ausf A and G series, had vehicles without winch.

A total amount of 347 Bergepanther were produced at MAN, Henschel and Demag. 46 of them without the winch. There was also a “Gerät 549” scheduled; a Bergepanther based on the hull of the Panther Ausf. F.
All things considered the Bergepanther was a successful and reliable design and an integral part of the maintenance companies.

By the end of 1944 the more reliable Ausf. Gs were used for these conversions. The crew consisted of at least three soldiers, the towing apparatus was operated by two soldiers in the vehicle. They sat in the central tower, a square wooden and metal structure, with longitudinal tensile reinforcements for 40 tons embedded in the chassis. A large earth spade at the rear served to support traction or as a counterbalance. In addition, the simple crane boom had a 1.5 tons loading capacity. The Bergepanther was quite reliable and could be used in enemy territory, receiving a single Mg. 34 or 42 for self-defense at the front or a Buglafette for a 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon. Its towing capacity allowed to salvage Tigers and even heavier vehicles. From 1943 to 1945, approximately 339 Bergepanthers of all versions were delivered by MAN, Henschel, Daimler-Benz (Berlin plant-Marie Felde) and Demag.

For specification => http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/tan ... anther.asp

Thank you
and now to start the build

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 6:04 pm

Today's update:

This is to where I came so far

There was however problems that needed to be sorted such as

there was a big seam between where the rear part of the tub and the tub met up. Both at the bottom sides and rear there was a gap

I used Tippex (Pen correction fluid) to fill the gaps(white line on hull), as this dries a bit faster and smells better than Tamiya grey putty.

And then came the final drives... also large gaps witch I need to decide on how to fill

Then when I did a dry fit of the lower and upper hull....nothing fits
When you align the front glacis plates then the rear does not fit at all and when you align the rear and top there is a gap that indicates that the top hull is really wrapped

But once I install the center mount/bulks I can only then confirm what needs to be done

So wish me luck

Post by **martin57** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 7:24 pm

its a shame its such a bad fitting kit so far, because its such a good subject , best of luck with it

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:51 pm

So here is the next update of many...but not all today

Progress made up to now
remember this picture

well these are the steps it took to solve the problem
First off..I cut 2 small triangle shapes from styrene slid then into the gaps until all edges were touching
Cut the excess off and glue from the inside to the hull

Then to seal the gaps more accurately, I followed at tip Coen had on youtube (making weld seams)ThAnKs COEN
As I did not have that size styrene card lying around I used stretched sprue

And a tool I made tonight (looks crap but it works, made from an soldering iron tip)

Afterwards I did some trimming of the overhang...

Also I installed all the torsion arms dry fitted the interior floors and did all the wheels....

Now here is a question that I need some advice on.....
Since there will not be side skirts on this tank....do I cut the mounting locators off or leave them on????????

Silly me forgot about this section in the instructions, which might make it easier to do the tracks

ONLY 4 GLUE POINTS, but the tracks are very very rigid

Thanks for now

HAPPY BUILDING

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:36 am

I will be following this build
I have that kit but i couldn't enter it as i started it a while back
But i want to see how it builds up
It looks like a nice kit though but i think the tracks could be replaced
As they are really stiff

at the ready ,sit back and watch
Cheers Mark

Post by **Coen** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:33 am

Wow... Now that's a lot of work. War has broken out on your bench and you look to be happily winning it.

That was a pretty clever fix for those gaps bud, nicely done.
I'd leave those shirt mountings until you can find a reference shot of the real thing. When the skirt are off the mountings would still be there and visible.
It's for what the mounts looked like that you'll need the photos for. Then you can decide how to mimic it.

Post by **chief5437** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:06 pm

Great job on those welds, mate!

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:47 pm

Great replication of arc welding around those joints, Nam!

Cheers,

Martin

Post by **mannloon** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:51 pm

I'd leave them.
very nice work man.

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:35 am

So...Here is another short update

I have not done much as I am busy trying to see if I can rebuild the wench drums and pulleys as I am not very happy with the kit ones

I have installed the bulk walls and the fenders

Started on the upper hull

and did the covers for the engine deck vents

Placed them ready for paint.. and painted them

I used a rattle can for this because too little parts for the airbrush..
And then this is what it looks like once installed

I'll have to scratch build ones for the fans as funny enough there is none....

Currently building random parts all over the instructions but will have that update soon

Cheers

Post by **Coen** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 12:36 pm

I have a question Bjorn?
How are going to paint the outside of those grills for the engine deck?
I was thinking that if you tried to spray it you'd get some overspray on the internals.
Will you brush paint that spot?

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 12:52 pm

Coen wrote:I have a question Bjorn?
How are going to paint the outside of those grills for the engine deck?
I was thinking that if you tried to spray it you'd get some overspray on the internals.
Will you brush paint that spot?

Hi Coen
the picture shown is just a test fit. I have not glued them inplace yet as I still have to make the fan units

Post by **Coen** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 1:26 pm

Ah... Good man.
I figered that you had a plan, I hate criticizing people's work or pointing out potential mistakes.
I never know what to do when I see something that a modeller is doing that could cause them some grief.
I alway hope that I don't understand what I'm seeing. I'm glad that this is the case.

Post by **martin57** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 8:37 pm

coming along nicely

Post by **PaulAyrey** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:11 pm

Looking good so far!

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:18 am

Coen wrote:Ah... Good man.
I figered that you had a plan, I hate criticizing people's work or pointing out potential mistakes.
I never know what to do when I see something that a modeller is doing that could cause them some grief.
I alway hope that I don't understand what I'm seeing. I'm glad that this is the case.

I don't mind criticism, sometimes it helps out where you might have missed something and since I'm still new in the hobby
it can only help me

Thank you

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:45 pm

So.....here is another update

Since this is the same hull used on the panther tanks the is a locating mark for where the travel lock will be, so it had to be removed

Next step was to build the defense gun. Since the kit came with PE, I did not use the plastic gun shield and remove the scope on the gun and replace it with the cross hair type.

Since the cross hair is so fine I put the gun in a separate container till the painting stage

Next up I constructed the ground spade and did a dry fit ( with pins) to test it. On the tank it looks quite impressive

Next was the construction of the front compartment, not much detail but its enough as allot will barely be seen once fitted

I also added all the racks on the sides of the hull but not the tools yet as they might get knocked off

Ass the track holders are too long for this kit, I had to cut them shorter and it this process damaged the plastic on the hull.

I can't get it fixed up to the point where if you add paint it won't be noticed, so I improvised and since this is a utility vehicle it will have allot crew mods to make life easier.
So I added a jerrycan rack, scratched from PE and a Jerry can from a Tamiya set.

Also as can be seen I added all the vent grills

Started on the wench construction but still not to sure if I am gonna scratch build new pulleys

And then there is all the lose parts that I cleaned up so far

So this is my progress report up to

Hope you enjoyed it

Post by **mannloon** » Thu Jun 19, 2014 12:48 am

very cool.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Jun 19, 2014 1:04 am

That's just a plain beautiful build Bjorn!
It's work.. but it's going to be be a wonderful piece.

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Thu Jun 19, 2014 7:21 am

Thanks allot guys

Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Thu Jun 19, 2014 8:50 am

Very interesting subject and super description: histroy , technical data

Execution at this time is very good. Good idea with "welds" - from first stage .

. Well done mate !

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:34 pm

So, I finally decided to make the pulleys after all and here is the results

Unfortunately, my string seems to be a bit short

and these are the parts hat was replaced

The pulleys I made at work on a lath that is way too big for parts this small that's why the front pulley looks awful but once fitted you can barely see it.

Here is the instructions for this assembly

As you can see from the instruction, there is no pulley mounted on the front, but there was one on the actual. In order for the string to be used that pulley had to be made and mounted.
And I did manage to screw up on the pulleys as where the two pulleys are next to each other there are suppose to be four turn on them not three.

So this is what the hull looks like with the interior fitted

Also finished the top cab on the upper hull and here are the result on the dry fits...

The engine is also done, not very well detailed but looks better once fitted

And then finally my figures for the diorama that I am planning

With the figures, the filler I use is pen correction-er.......

That is those white marks on the figures

What I love about the stuff it dries quickly, flows easily in to gaps and cleans with water when wet and sands down easily when dry

Thank you

And just for the giggles.........

Hope you enjoyed the update

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:36 pm

One final remark

The tape on the drivers hatch is just to prevent it from opening and getting broken off.....

Post by **Coen** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 4:39 pm

That's beautiful work Bjorn. Excellent scratch work. This will be a hell of a piece when it's done.

Post by **mannloon** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:22 pm

Beautiful work man. This is the most interesting Panther in the SiG in my opinion. I can't believe something is making me want to buy/build a Bergepanther.

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:15 pm

Thanks for the support guys

Its is a very interesting variant of the Panther indeed and it makes some interesting reading about these variants

Post by **PaulAyrey** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:33 pm

Wow, most impressive, it's going to look quite something when built!

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:04 pm

PaulAyrey wrote:Wow, most impressive, it's going to look quite something when built!

Thanks Paul
I just hope I do the kit justice as there is still a big fit issue on the way with the top and bottom hull joining...

Post by **alextheblue** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 12:22 pm

Some great progress Bjorn and I love all of your fixes and scratch built bits!!

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:51 pm

Wow!

Post by **Ozzie21** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:49 pm

Excellent work

. Now I know what should look like

Ozzie 21

"Keep the CA off your fingers"

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:36 pm

alextheblue wrote:Some great progress Bjorn and I love all of your fixes and scratch built bits!!

felisbarcinonensis wrote:Wow!

Ozzie21 wrote:Excellent work . Now I know what should look like

Ozzie 21

"Keep the CA off your fingers"

Thanks guys
I'm enjoying these modifications as it testing me and my abilities

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:40 pm

Nice scratch building you've done there, looking forward to seeing this one completed!

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 7:20 pm

So here is the latest news on my build

I started with the interior and engine painting and since I use enamels it takes some time.
So I decided to pass the time with this construction for the diorama....

The shed is still far from done but I wanted to put up an update..
The Panther in the foreground is an earlier build of mine used just to scale the shed and won't be n the final diorama

I will post at a later stage the step for scratch building such a building

cheers for now

Post by **PaulAyrey** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:11 pm

Oh wow, that's gonna be great!

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 9:37 pm

Looks awesome Bjorn!

Post by **mannloon** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:44 pm

That's a beautiful composition. This is really great.

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 10:07 pm

sorry for only responding now... work take up my time these days

Thank you for all the support guys
will keep you posted

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 10:23 pm

Time for another update

So this is where I am by now, not as far as I hoped but getting there.....

Got the interior painted but not yet wethered

The chipping was done with maskol...and the radios and fire extinguisher are leftovers from a Dragon kit..
I also build the junction box at the back of the extinguisher and did the cabling to the radios
Sorry for not taking more pictures but my phone died just as I took the 4th one....
I also scratch build two headphones for the radio operator and drive.

Painting of the engine complete but also not weathered yet

Thank you

Post by **mannloon** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:37 am

Dude I love that chipping. And the rest of that interior is fantastic.

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:58 pm

Excellent work!

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 8:35 am

Thanks for the comment guys

I will not use the Maskol for chipping again as it creates unreal chipping in my opinion plus its hard to control

Planning on doing the hairspray technique on the exterior....

Enjoy!!!!

Post by **martin57** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:34 pm

i love it great job

Post by **NAMBiohazard** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 10:52 pm

Her is a short update
Finally got the engine painted and installed.

quite a pitty as there is almost nothing left to see once the deck is installed

so that's all I managed to get done over the weekend

Thanks for checking the build