It’s difficult to ascertain from the rescue images under all that rust a
clear paint finish, but it’s almost certain it would have originally received a
dark yellow base coat. As to whether it had any traces of camo, I have not read
of any evidence that it had. The Polish resto team never added any, which leads
me to believe that it didn’t, but with just the one surviving vehicle it's always
possible that others did.
Viewing the recovered vehicle a fair chunk of upper body armour plate has been replaced, and weld lines criss-cross the repaired sections. Some prominent welds, such as on the rear plate to the lower body may well be original so it is curious to note the absence of any significant weld lines at all on the kit. And whilst not all the welds may be original, I have decided to add my own in the most visible areas like where the rear plate attaches to both side and lower plates. I have also re-scribed the panel lines as I felt they were too shallow.
Before
the upper and lower body sub-assemblies were fixed permanently together the
interior required a few parts to be painted and added. The largest items
being the kit supplied wooden benches. Along with the steering wheel these were
kept separate for painting. I had long since removed the kit fire extinguisher from
the driver’s side wall as it was pointed out to me that it was of an early
design. In its place now sits a 3D printed late style empty bracket. Two other
features that look peculiarly placed are the MG ammo box and leather pouch. As
these were already fixed per the instructions and well bonded, they were left
to avoid damage. They have yet to be detail painted.
The sprockets and solid tyred wheel sets have now received paint. They still require a very light application of dust to match the tones used on the track wheels. Some work is still required with oils to replicate the leaking wheel bearing hubs as seen on the restored vehicle.
Larger kit sprockets ready for primer with large kit PE step ring and 0.7mm bolt heads added to replicate those visible to retain the track pads. Observe how the re-worked track rollers are now repositioned against the track pad to accommodate track fitment and now represent a left- and right-handed sprocket.
Continuing on from the build in Chapter 1 way back in 2020, it has since been primed with Tamiya’s rattle can red oxide fine surfacer. It's a perfect foundation for German armour, especially if you fancy employing the hairspray technique.
This is the first ICM kit of the KHD truck. Released in 2015 this is the S3000 rear wheel drive version. ICM KHD S3000 Subsequent releases include a civilian, a maultier, and 4WD versions
Now I have had time to examine my twelve-year old build in detail there are some issues with the kit vs the restored vehicle. There are two main areas I need to address, one of which is making good an original build mishap, and the other, a very prominent inaccuracy issue with the bodywork. Then there will be some additional detail to add here and there.
Dragon Panther A Normandy 1944 kit #6168 Sd.Kfz.171 Panther A Late Type
Fully boxed unopened kit
For sale to UK mainland buyers only £50 including postage
Continuing on from Chapter 1 let's begin with a brief recap of this extremely rare vehicle.
The restored vehicle was recovered from the Pilica River in Poland. It is believed that only a handfull (period images show just three) of these were ever manufactured, making this surviving example pretty unique indeed! This armoured variant of the Sd.Kfz 8 was all but forgotten until it was recovered and then restored to running condition. Having a full lightly armoured hull around the chassis and drive train, it is believed that this was a prototype of an armoured artillery tractor.
Since commencing my build the below three period images are the only ones to be currently found online. The first one appears to show a vehicle fitted with pneumatic tyred front wheels and a four door rear panel.
Both the lower front panels shape and design and the large upper panel overhang are very different on this example compared to what is offered in the Trumpeter kit.
Unlike the kit this vehicle has just two rear doors.
